Industrial Controller

PURPOSE

Responsible for providing financial leadership to the manufacturing operation through accurate financial reporting, product costing, inventory management, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and business partnering. The role supports operational decision-making while ensuring compliance with corporate policies and internal controls.

Missions and responsibilities

• Lead the monthly manufacturing close, including preparation and review of journal entries, accruals, reallocations, and inventory adjustments.
• Prepare monthly financial reporting, KPIs, manufacturing performance analysis, and management reporting.
• Manage product costing, including standard cost maintenance, COGS, PPV, inventory valuation, scrap, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Lead the annual budget and rolling forecast processes, presenting results to management and monitoring performance against plan.
• Provide financial analysis and business partnering to support operational decision-making, cost savings, and plant performance.
• Evaluate capital investment proposals through ROI and payback analysis and monitor capital expenditure.
• Manage inventory financial controls, support stock counts, and ensure accurate inventory valuation.
• Support fixed asset accounting, including capitalization and depreciation reviews.
• Maintain financial master data and costing structures within the ERP system.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, accounting standards, and internal control requirements.
• Act as the primary finance contact for internal and external audits relating to manufacturing activities.
• Drive continuous improvements in financial processes, reporting, and manufacturing cost control.

Required Experience

• Bachelor of commerce Degree (Accounting/Finance/Management Accounting)
• CA(SA), CIMA, SAIPA would be an added advantage
• 5+ years experience in finance or cost & management accounting
• Manufacturing environment

Skills Requirements

Ability

• Analytical skills with attention to details
• Open-minded approach and willingness to learn
• Ability to bridge the knowledge gap between Finance and Operations and vice versa
• Well organized and autonomous, with the ability to prioritize workload (work in pressurized environment, long hours in times of month-end, year-end)
• Problem solving

Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Team player
• Negotiation
• Drive
• Integrity

Knowledge

• Knowledge of accounting principles
• Knowledge of manufacturing controlling will be a great advantage (Standard costing; Fixed Assets and Stock Management)
• MS Office, especially excellent skills in MS Excel
• ERP experience
• Power BI

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here, apply now!