Plant Accountant

The Opportunity

This is a hands-on, accounting role within a large and complex New Zealand manufacturing business. The Plant Accountant will work closely with finance and operational teams to deliver accurate reporting, strong financial control and practical analysis that supports day-to-day performance.

The role is well suited to an accountant who understands how a manufacturing operation works in practice. You will be comfortable working with production volumes, yields, labour, inventory, operational costs and site performance, and able to investigate variances and explain the financial impact clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

The Company

Our client is a substantial New Zealand manufacturing and primary industry organisation with operations across regional communities. The business operates in a highly regulated, operationally intensive environment where safety, quality, productivity and disciplined financial management are fundamental.

The RoleThere are three possible locations for this role across the South Island. We are keen to hear from those open to relocating to South Canterbury, Invecargill or Nelson. Duties include;-

Support the delivery of accurate and timely month-end reporting, journals, reconciliations and management information for the site

Prepare clear reporting and analysis across production volumes, labour, yields, inventory, overheads, operating costs and site performance

Investigate manufacturing variances and work with operational stakeholders to understand causes, financial impacts and practical corrective actions

Maintain balance sheet integrity through disciplined reconciliations, review of transactions and timely resolution of outstanding items

Assist with budgeting, forecasting and operational planning, incorporating seasonal volumes, labour requirements and changing cost assumptions

Support inventory accounting, stocktakes, cost allocation and the accuracy of manufacturing and operational data

Provide analysis for capital expenditure, maintenance activity and continuous improvement initiatives across the site

Contribute to year-end, audit, compliance and wider group reporting requirements by providing accurate schedules and supporting information

Help improve systems, reporting tools and finance processes to strengthen efficiency, visibility and accountability

Build effective working relationships across finance, production and support teams, becoming a trusted and accessible source of financial information

Your Profile

An experienced accountant with a strong grounding in a complex manufacturing environment.

Practical knowledge of manufacturing finance, including inventory, product or operational costing, production variances, labour and overhead analysis, yields, waste and working capital

Solid month-end capability across journals, accruals, reconciliations, reporting, variance analysis and balance sheet integrity

The analytical ability to work through detailed operational information, identify issues and explain financial outcomes clearly to non-finance stakeholders

A practical and collaborative working style. You will be comfortable balancing detailed accounting requirements with regular engagement across the operational site

Good systems and Excel capability, with confidence working with ERP and reporting tools

A relevant tertiary qualification. Chartered status, progress towards qualification or equivalent practical experience will be considered

Strong attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to manage recurring deadlines in a fast-moving production environment

* Full, unrestricted New Zealand working rights and the ability to be based predominantly on site in Nelson. Applicants outside the region must be genuinely committed to relocation

For more information about this role, please contact Simon Lawrence on 021 240 2620 or apply via the link below

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