Cost Accountant – Manufacturing

About the role

Our client, a leading electronics manufacturing company, is looking for an experienced Cost Accountant to join the finance team in Pinetown (Durban area). The role is initially a 12‑month maternity contract with the possibility of becoming permanent for the right candidate.

Key responsibilities

• Manage job costing processes, confirming and closing job cards accurately and on time.
• Produce cost implosion and job cost recalculation reports.
• Monitor and control Work in Progress (WIP) together with Planning and Production, reviewing variances and resolving discrepancies.
• Oversee inventory control, ensuring FIFO rotation, handling slow‑moving, obsolete and excess stock, and supporting cycle counts and quarterly stock takes.
• Supervise daily stores operations, allocate tasks to the Stores team and coordinate logistics, dispatch and warehouse activities.
• Liaise with Production, Procurement, Quality and Finance to guarantee material availability and resolve stock‑related issues.
• Prepare stock adjustment documentation and support month‑end and year‑end stock processes.
• Generate inventory and stores reports, identifying cost‑saving and process‑improvement opportunities.

Required profile

• BCom Accounting, BCom Cost & Management Accounting or equivalent qualification (National Diploma or Degree).
• 3–5 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment (non‑negotiable).
• Proven experience with stores, warehouse or inventory operations in manufacturing.
• Previous supervisory or team‑leadership experience is advantageous.
• Professional certifications in Inventory or Warehouse Management and/or CIMA qualification are a plus.

Required skills

• Syspro ERP (or similar ERP system) proficiency.
• Job costing.
• Work in Progress (WIP) management.
• Inventory valuation.
• Stock control.
• Variance analysis.

What we offer

• 12‑month maternity contract with potential for permanent placement.
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast‑growing electronics manufacturing environment.