Stores & Cost Accountant

SUMMARY:
STORES & COST ACCOUNTANT – 12-MONTH FTC

Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Contract: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract
Industry: Manufacturing

Our client, a well-established manufacturing organisation based in Durban, is seeking an experienced Stores & Cost Accountant to join their team on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
The successful candidate will be responsible for cost accounting, stores and inventory management, job card costing, WIP management, stock control and variance analysis.
Strong Stores and Manufacturing experience is essential for this position.

POSITION INFO:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Manage and review job cards, including costing, confirmation and closure. Generate and analyse cost reports and job cost recalculation reports. Monitor and manage Work in Progress (WIP) and investigate variances. Manage inventory levels and ensure accurate stock records. Review slow-moving, obsolete and excess stock and assist with provisions and write-offs. Oversee incoming goods and ensure correct processing of purchased and free-issue stock. Conduct and review cycle counts and quarterly stock takes . Investigate stock shortages, stock variances and adjustment requirements. Analyse production variances and material usage. Assess landed stock values against quoted prices. Analyse inventory-related General Ledger accounts. Monitor and report on purchase price variances and monthly gross margins . Prepare stock, costing and inventory reports for month-end and year-end. Support month-end and year-end financial closing processes. Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement. Ensure effective FIFO practices and accurate inventory management. Work closely with Stores, Production, Planning, Quality, Finance and Expediting. Assist with supervising and coordinating stores personnel where required. Maintain accurate documentation and strengthen internal controls. REQUIREMENTS Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration or a related field . Proven Cost Accounting experience within a manufacturing environment . Strong Stores and Inventory Management experience - essential. Practical experience with WIP, job cards, stock control and production costing . Experience with stock takes, cycle counts and stock variance investigations. Strong understanding of inventory costing and control principles. Experience analysing production variances, purchase price variances and gross margins. Syspro experience is highly advantageous. Strong Microsoft Excel skills. Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. IMPORTANT Candidates must have strong Stores and Manufacturing experience in addition to Cost Accounting experience. Candidates with purely financial accounting or costing experience and limited exposure to Stores, Inventory and Manufacturing operations will not be considered.