Leading pharmaceutical manufacturer is looking for a Costing Manager to join their team in Johannesburg.You will lead and manage the costing function across all manufacturing and supply chain units by establishing, maintaining, and enhancing accurate standard cost systems and financial controls. The role is critical in supporting operational efficiency, profitability, and strategic decision-making through reliable costing data, insightful variance analysis, proactive cost management, and accurate forecasting. The Costing Manager will also play a key role in developing cost-related policies, managing compliance, supporting CAPEX evaluations, coordinating stock counts, and partnering with cross-functional teams to drive financial performance.Costing and Standard Cost MaintenanceDevelop, implement, and maintain accurate standard costing systems for materials, labour, and overheadsEnsure complete and accurate bills of material (BOMs) exist for every manufactured productMaintain and review standard costs for all material components, with timely updates in the ERP systemEnsure costing records are aligned with operational and financial dataVariance Analysis and Cost ReportingMonitor, analyse, and report on production cost variances and usage deviationsIdentify root causes for variances and work with operations to recommend corrective actionsReview and present actual vs. standard cost performance reports monthly to stakeholdersNew Product Costing & BudgetingCompile and review costing packs for new products, including projected costs and margin analysisCollaborate with product development and operations teams for accurate cost estimatesPrepare annual costing budgets and submit revised standard costs to the Costing Committee for approvalProduction Cost Control & Performance ReviewEnsure full disclosure of production costs and identify cost-saving opportunitiesReview monthly production expenditure and submit accurate management reportsConduct post-season reviews and provide insights to optimise cost structuresCAPEX ManagementParticipate in the evaluation and financial analysis of capital expenditure (CAPEX) projectsEnsure CAPEX proposals include accurate cost-benefit analyses, ROI, and payback calculationsMonitor actual CAPEX spending against approved budgets and report on variancesStock Counts (Year-End and Half-Year-End)Oversee and coordinate physical stock counts at year-end and half-yearendEnsure compliance with financial control procedures during stocktaking processesInvestigate and resolve stock variances and ensure accurate valuation in financial statementsInternal Controls & ComplianceEstablish and maintain internal controls for costing activities and reporting accuracyEnsure all costing-related reconciliations are reviewed and approvedConduct periodic audits and reviews of costing data integrity and system complianceStakeholder Collaboration & SupportProvide strategic costing advice and support to Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Procurement teamsParticipate in cross-functional meetings to support financial planning and decision-makingAssist in special costing projects, feasibility studies, and ad hoc analysis requestsForecastingDevelop and maintain rolling cost forecasts in collaboration with Finance and Operations teamsProvide accurate projections of production and overhead costs to support business planningAnalyse trends in cost drivers to anticipate financial risks or opportunities Team Leadership & DevelopmentLead and manage the costing team, ensuring clarity of roles, accountability, and performance managementTrain, mentor, and develop staff to build internal capability and ensure service delivery standardsEnsure the team is well-informed of policies, costing principles, and company standardsRequired learningChartered Accountant or CIMA qualified essentialBachelors degree in accounting, cost & management accounting or financePostgraduate qualification in Finance, Business Management, or related field (advantage)Continuous professional development in cost accounting, ERP systems and manufacturing finance (recommended)Minimum 5 years experience in cost accounting within a manufacturing or supply chain environment
Desired Skills:
cost accounting
BOM's
raw materials
chartered accountant
SAICA
CIMA
manufacturing
Employer & Job Benefits:
Salary CTC