The Company: Our client is a well-established manufacturing business known for its strong reputation for quality and reliability. They serve a diverse customer base that includes top-tier suppliers, original equipment manufacturers, and aftermarket distributors across various transportation sectors. With the ability to support both niche projects and high-volume production, the company offers comprehensive in-house capabilities that cover the full spectrum of production processes, from initial fabrication to final quality assurance. The Role: Based in Melbourne and reporting to the CFO, this role is a key part of both the finance function and the broader executive team. You will take the lead in analysing operational and product costs, ensuring accurate cost allocation, and providing valuable insights to support strategic decision-making. Working closely with operations, IT, and HR in a collaborative, tight-knit team, this role is ideal for someone who thrives in a manufacturing environment, enjoys digging into the numbers, and takes pride in uncovering the 'why' behind them. Key Responsibilities: Cost Accounting: Work with production and plant managers to understand and allocate labour, overheads, machine depreciation, and other manufacturing costs. Monthly Management Reporting: Own 90% of the monthly accounts, supporting the CFO in closing and analysis. Operational Support: Engage with the plant, follow up on stocktakes, and ensure costing and quoting aligns with real data. Asset Management: Reconcile the asset register to the GL, ensuring capital investments are accurately tracked. Process Improvement: Help the business move towards smarter, more automated systems ("lights-out" manufacturing). About You: Proactive and curious, with the initiative to work independently and solve problems as they arise. Hands-on experience with cost accounting in a manufacturing environment is essential. Tech-savvy, with strong Excel skills and familiarity with business systems (ERP experience highly regarded). Engaged and approachable-comfortable being on the floor, interacting with the team, and gaining a real understanding of operations beyond the desk. Why Join Us? Join a high-growth organisation actively investing in its future, with up to $10 million allocated to new capital equipment. Support cutting-edge industries including medical, defence, and automotive. Enjoy work-life balance with a convenient location in Moorabbin. Benefit from a clear succession path and real opportunities for career development. Opportunity to build your skillset and take ownership in a fast-paced environment. Apply Now Click the Apply Now button now! For more information, please reach out to either Elise Martin or Isobel Turner on 03 9239 8100 for a confidential conversation. By clicking 'apply', you give your express consent that Robert Half may use your personal information to process your job application and to contact you from time to time for future employment opportunities. For further information on how Robert Half processes your personal information and how to access and correct your information, please read the Robert Half privacy notice: https://www.roberthalf.com/au/en/privacy. Please do not submit any sensitive personal data to us in your resume (such as government ID numbers, ethnicity, gender, religion, marital status or trade union membership) as we do not collect your sensitive personal data at this time.