A growing, family-owned engineering business

Our client is a South African specialist engineering and manufacturing business, established for over 25 years, that designs, manufactures, refurbishes and services heavy equipment for mining, minerals processing and related industries.

It is owned and run by its founding family, supplies large mining customers across Africa and internationally, and competes successfully against much larger multinationals on engineering strength. Sales and growth have outpaced the finance function, so the business is creating this role to own the numbers. The culture is entrepreneurial, practical and cost-conscious, with little corporate bureaucracy.

Purpose of the role

The Senior Financial Manager owns and runs the group finance function end to end, reporting to the Managing Director and the board. This is a hands-on role: you will do the work yourself, not just oversee it.

What you will be responsible for

Reporting and control

Consolidate monthly group results and analyse against budget, forecast and prior year.
Provide directors and shareholders with clear performance insight, budgeting and ad hoc analysis.
Manage the annual audit, tax and SARS compliance, statutory and B-BBEE reporting, and company secretarial matters.

Job costing and project accounting

Own job and contract costing, quoted versus actual analysis, and profitability per job and product line.
Oversee revenue recognition, progress billings, retentions, guarantees and work-in-progress valuation.

Cash, working capital and risk

Forecast cash flow and manage working capital across long manufacturing cycles and project deposits.
Manage foreign exchange exposure on imports and exports, including forward cover.
Oversee inventory valuation and stock accuracy.

Business partnering and improvement

Partner with engineering, manufacturing, field services, procurement and sales on cost analysis and reforecasting.
Identify cost savings and improve finance processes and systems.

People and payroll

Lead a small finance team, including payroll, overtime and site allowances for field teams.

What you will need

CA(SA) or equivalent professional qualification (CIMA).
Hands-on experience owning or running a finance function in a similar role.
Based in Johannesburg and willing to work on-site daily, with occasional travel to customer sites.
Willingness to work beyond standard hours when needed.

Skills that will help you succeed

ERP systems, advanced Excel and financial modelling.
Job costing, work-in-progress and project or contract accounting.
Foreign exchange, working capital and cash flow management.
Earning the trust of a family ownership team.

Advantageous: engineering, manufacturing, heavy industrial or mining services experience, and arranging bank guarantees.

To apply, contact Sabrina Pacheco (Recruitment Consultant: Commerce and Industry) at sabrina@bluerecruiting.co.za.