Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

SUMMARY:
Our client is looking for a Chief Financial Officer to join their team.  This role is based in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, with the potential opportunity for future relocation to their U.S.-based OEM operation.

POSITION INFO:
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leads the financial function of their production facility. This executive role oversees all financial operations, including accounting , budgeting, inventory valuation, capital planning, and cost modelling within a complex OEM manufacturing environment.

Serving as a strategic partner to the CEO , Chairman, and senior leadership, the CFO plays a key role in optimizing product profitability, operational performance, and return on net assets (RONA). The position demands deep expertise in OEM manufacturing finance , a strong command of plant-level cost structures, and a steadfast commitment to operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities
OEM & Plant-Level Financial Leadership

• Lead all financial operations for the truck manufacturing facility, including standard costing, bill of materials valuation, inventory control, and capital expenditure tracking.

• Oversee cost accounting, ensuring accurate valuation of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods in a high-mix, low-volume production environment.

• Develop and maintain detailed product cost models in collaboration with operations and engineering teams.

• Analyse manufacturing cost drivers, production variances, and throughput metrics to inform operational and strategic decision-making.

• Provide financial analysis on new product introductions, process changes, and lean transformation initiatives.

Strategic & Executive Finance

• Align financial strategy with the Chairman’s long-term vision for the Group’s global manufacturing operations.

• Serve as a trusted business advisor, delivering financial insights to influence capital allocation, margin management, and growth strategies.

• Champion a “no-surprises” culture of transparency, integrity, and proactive financial communication across departments.

Controls, Compliance & Team Leadership

• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, internal controls, and U.S. regulatory requirements (e.g., GAAP, SOX, tax).

• Lead and mentor a high-performing finance team, instilling operational discipline and continuous improvement practices.

• Support external audits, tax planning, and regulatory filings.
• Oversee systems improvements and digital finance tools to streamline reporting and analysis.

What You Bring

• Proven success as a financial leader in an OEM, Tier 1 automotive, or complex manufacturing environment

• Strong expertise in plant-based finance , including unit hour costing, capital planning, and ERP integration

• Demonstrated ability to drive financial performance, improve RONA, and support operational excellence

• Executive-level communication and business partnering skills across cross-functional teams
• Track record of implementing financial controls, building high-performing teams, and leading organizational change

Qualifications:

• BS in Business Administration, Accounting or Finance
• Preference given to candidates with an advanced degree, CPA certification.
• CFO and/or Controller experience
• A minimum of 15 years of financial experience with increasing responsibilities within a corporate environment

• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general digital fluency
• Good general business savvy and exposure to a variety of businesses
• Fluent in English, with exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, capable of engaging confidently across technical and executive audiences.

• Willingness to travel internationally and relocate to the USA, if required
• South African citizenship

Kindly note that by submitting your application for this career opportunity, you agree that Guardian Recruiting may use your application for the purpose of the recruitment and selection of the said position, and this information may be shared with the relevant stakeholders in the business.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Should you not have heard back within a two-week period, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.
All job postings are in accordance with our Client's BEE requirements. Please only send supporting documents when requested to do so.