The Block Meat Co. is looking for a skilled Cost Accountant to join their team based at the Meat Plant. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The Cost Accountant is responsible for ensuring accurate costing, financial control, and reporting across all production units, including fresh meat processing, frozen products, and value‑added/processed items (e.g., polony, viennas, bacon, mince, marinated products). The role ensures integrity of production costs, stock, yields, variances, and consumption data to support profitability, operational efficiency, and compliance with internal controls and food‑manufacturing standards. KEY OUTCOMES Costing & Production Finance Maintain and update Bills of Materials (BOMs) for all products across Fresh, Processed and CPM departments. Validate standard costs, including raw materials, ingredients, packaging, labour, and overhead allocations. Monitor and analyse actual vs standard cost variances, including: Raw material usage Yield losses Waste and trimmings Rework and WIP variances Work closely with Production Managers to investigate and resolve discrepancies. Inventory & Stock Control Oversee accurate daily, weekly and month end stock reconciliations for raw materials, WIP and finished goods. Verify and reconcile production run sheets, consumption records, and stock movement reports.Analyse yield performance per product line (e.g., deboning, mincing, tumbling, cooking, slicing). Ensure accurate allocation of stock to departments and stores, including frozen, dry, and raw materials stores. Support cycle counts and full stock counts; investigate stock variances and recommend corrective action. Month End Responsibilities Prepare and post accruals, provisions, cost allocations, and production costing journals. Maintain and reconcile the General Ledger for all production related accounts. Calculate month end inventory valuations (RM, WIP, FG) in line with TBMC policy. Prepare monthly manufacturing financial reports, including: Gross margin by product line Yield & variance analysis Cost of poor quality (COPQ) Waste/scrap reporting Debtors & Creditors Support (Manufacturing Related) Verify supplier invoices for accuracy of cost allocations (ingredients, raw materials, PPE, packaging, consumables). Monitor recovery income and internal charges between Fresh, Processed and CPM units. Assist with debtor invoicing where internal or external charges apply. Operational Reporting & Business Partnering Provide finance support to Production, Planning, Maintenance, Engineering and Quality teams. Participate in daily/weekly operational meetings to present cost, yield and variance insights. Identify cost saving opportunities and efficiency improvements. Support CAPEX feasibility calculations and post implementation reviews. Compliance & Internal Controls Ensure adherence to: HACCP linked stock handling controls (e.g., traceability, waste recording, batch tracking) Company policies, IFRS, and audit requirements Support internal and external audits with accurate documentation and reconciliations. Qualifications and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in finance, Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, or equivalent (NQF 7). CIMA, SAIPA, or similar certification advantageous. Experience: 3–5 years’ experience in cost accounting within a manufacturing or FMCG environment (meat processing preferred but not essential). KEY COMPETENCIES: Strong understanding of manufacturing cost structures. Advanced Excel; ERP costing modules; stock/production systems. Knowledge of basic accounting principles, IFRS, and inventory management. Analytical ability with excellent attention to detail. Problemsolving and analytical thinking Planning and organising Relationship building and collaboration Ability to work under pressure in a fastpaced production environment High levels of integrity Clear written and verbal communication Working Conditions: Office‑based with regular presence required on the production floor. Fast‑paced manufacturing environment with strict hygiene, safety and compliance requirements. #J-18808-Ljbffr