Cost and Inventory Control Specialist

Company Description

TalentBridge Solutions (TBS) is a strategic partner in workforce transformation, offering integrated talent solutions that go beyond recruitment. We design performance-driven, compliance-aligned, and socially conscious workforce ecosystems to facilitate business growth and community development. Our team brings over 30 years of combined industry experience in workforce planning, talent management, legal advisory, and training. TBS provides the clarity, capability, and confidence to build high-performing workforces, helping businesses achieve their transformation goals.

Location:

West Rand, Johannesburg

CTC:

R35, 000 (Neg.) 

Role Purpose:

The Cost & Inventory Control Specialist will play a key role in 
monitoring, analysing, and controlling manufacturing costs

to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and profitability. The position involves managing Bills of Material (BOMs), overseeing Work-in-Process (WIP), validating inventory valuations, and performing detailed cost variance analyses. This role also ensures that Syspro costing data aligns with operational realities and supports sound financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

1. Costing & Financial Analysis

·       Maintain and update standard costs in Syspro for all manufactured items.

·       Perform variance analyses (material, labour, overhead) and investigate deviations between standard and actual costs.

·       Calculate and maintain weighted average costs, landed costs, and cost roll-ups.

·       Prepare periodic cost reports comparing standard vs actual production costs.

2. Inventory & WIP Management

·       Perform monthly stock counts, reconciliations, and valuation checks.

·       Manage Work-in-Process (WIP) cost allocations and ensure accurate job costing.

·       Review job cards for completeness (material, labour, and overheads).

·       Assist in WIP and inventory cut-off procedures to ensure correct period reporting.

3. Bills of Material (BOM) & Routing Integrity

·       Audit BOMs for accuracy, material specifications, and cost structure.

·       Investigate cost impacts of Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).

·       Ensure routing and BOM data integrity to support Syspro product costing accuracy.

·       Review and update standard costs regularly to reflect material price fluctuations.

4. Reporting & Decision Support

·       Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly management cost reports and dashboards.

·       Support budgeting and forecasting with reliable cost data and variance insights.

·       Collaborate with production, procurement, and finance teams to identify cost-saving opportunities.

·       Assist management with scenario analyses and recommendations for operational improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

·       Diploma or Degree in Cost Accounting / Management Accounting / Finance.

·       Minimum 5 years' experience in cost control or management accounting within a 
manufacturing or steel fabrication

environment.

·       Advanced 
Excel

proficiency (pivot tables, lookups, formulas, analysis tools).

·       
Syspro

experience essential (inventory, WIP, BOM, and costing modules).

·       Understanding of absorption vs variable costing, landed cost principles, and inventory valuation methods (FIFO, Weighted Average).

·       Strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.

Core Competencies

·       Analytical and detail-oriented thinker.

·       Strong financial acumen with an operational understanding of manufacturing flow.

·       Integrity, accountability, and accuracy under pressure.

·       Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

·       Accuracy of standard vs actual cost reporting.

·       Timeliness of month-end cost reports and reconciliations.

·       Integrity of Syspro data (BOM/WIP/Inventory).

·       Variance reduction and cost efficiency improvements.