Senior Specialist, Controlling, Finance (S3)
Listing reference: arcmt_000952
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 4 November 2026
Position summary
Industry: Steel Industry
Job category: Banking, Finance, Insurance. Stockbroking
Location: Vanderbijlpark
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: No
About our company
Part of the worldwide ArcelorMittal group with an industrial presence in 27 countries, ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited is the largest steel producer on the African continent, with a production capacity of 5 million tonnes of liquid steel per annum. Both flat and long steel is produced in hundreds of grades and specifications. Steel is as relevant as ever to the future success of our world. As one of the only materials to be completely reusable and recyclable, it will play a critical role in building the circular economy of the future. Steel will continue to evolve, becoming smarter, and increasingly sustainable. At ArcelorMittal, our goal is to help build a better world with smarter steels.At ArcelorMittal South Africa, our "We Care" value drives our unwavering commitment to safety and zero harm for our employees. We seek applicants who share this dedication and are ready to uphold our high safety standards.It is essential to regularly check your emails for updates regarding your application status. We utilise "Wamly”, a one-way recorded interview platform, to streamline our hiring process. Should you receive an invitation to complete a recorded interview, please ensure it is submitted by the specified deadline. Timely completion of this step is crucial for your application to be considered for the opportunity. We appreciate your diligence in this process and look forward to your participation.
Introduction
The Controlling Senior Specialist acts as a strategic business partner to operations, playing a pivotal role in supporting operational strategies, driving cost management, and proactively intervening to influence and steer financial results. This position is responsible for optimizing financial and operational controls in a complex steel manufacturing environment with multiple production processes. The role encompasses overseeing and monitoring inventory, monitoring the consumption of both procured and internally produced materials, ensuring profitability management, enable financial closure within required timelines (honoring controls and maintaining SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) compliance), and providing actionable insights to operational leadership.
Job description
Responsibilities & requirements
· Serve as a business partner to operations by collaborating closely with various stakeholders (production, planning, procurement, commercial, etc) to support strategic initiatives and operational excellence.
· Actively participate in strategy development, translating operational goals into financial targets and measurement criteria.
· Develop, implement, and maintain robust controlling processes
· Monitor and analyze inventory flows (raw materials, semi-finished, finished goods) for precise accounting and reporting.
· Track and report on consumption of procured and produced materials throughout all production stages.
· Drive cost management by identifying cost drivers, analyzing variances, and providing recommendations for cost-saving measures proactively and continuously.
· Proactively intervene through data-driven insights and scenario analysis to steer financial results and optimize cost and profitability
· Support material requirement planning and reconcile inventory records with physical stock accurately and on time
· Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual cost and profitability reports, including detailed variance analyses.
· Contribute to annual budgeting and forecasting processes, focusing on material costs, inventory targets, production efficiency, and enhancing profitability.
· Ensure strict adherence to internal controls, company policies, SOX regulations, and financial reporting standards.
· Support in audits and facilitate external and internal audit processes by providing comprehensive documentation and explanations.
· Mentor and guide junior controlling staff and cross-functional teams on best practices in cost control, compliance, and operational partnership.
· Actively participate in strategy development, translating operational goals into financial targets and measurement criteria.
· Develop, implement, and maintain robust controlling processes
· Monitor and analyze inventory flows (raw materials, semi-finished, finished goods) for precise accounting and reporting.
· Track and report on consumption of procured and produced materials throughout all production stages.
· Drive cost management by identifying cost drivers, analyzing variances, and providing recommendations for cost-saving measures proactively and continuously.
· Proactively intervene through data-driven insights and scenario analysis to steer financial results and optimize cost and profitability
· Support material requirement planning and reconcile inventory records with physical stock accurately and on time
· Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual cost and profitability reports, including detailed variance analyses.
· Contribute to annual budgeting and forecasting processes, focusing on material costs, inventory targets, production efficiency, and enhancing profitability.
· Ensure strict adherence to internal controls, company policies, SOX regulations, and financial reporting standards.
· Support in audits and facilitate external and internal audit processes by providing comprehensive documentation and explanations.
· Mentor and guide junior controlling staff and cross-functional teams on best practices in cost control, compliance, and operational partnership.
Minimum requirements
Qualification and requirements
- B. Degree /HND/ B. Tech/ M. Diploma (NQF 7/10
· Minimum 8 years of experience in controlling and/or financial analysis roles, with at least 3 years in manufacturing—preferably in steel or heavy industry.
· Deep understanding of manufacturing operations, inventory management, cost accounting, SOX compliance, and profitability analysis.
· Experience acting as a business partner to operations, supporting strategic and financial objectives.
· Strong proficiency and adaptability to systems, following systems key:
o SAP,
o HFM,
o Phoenix,
o Smart,
o KPI system,
o and advanced Excel;
o Business intelligence tool expertise is a plus.
· Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills for effective cross-departmental collaboration and reporting.
· Demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities and thrive in a dynamic, deadline-driven industrial setting.
· Deep understanding of manufacturing operations, inventory management, cost accounting, SOX compliance, and profitability analysis.
· Experience acting as a business partner to operations, supporting strategic and financial objectives.
· Strong proficiency and adaptability to systems, following systems key:
o SAP,
o HFM,
o Phoenix,
o Smart,
o KPI system,
o and advanced Excel;
o Business intelligence tool expertise is a plus.
· Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills for effective cross-departmental collaboration and reporting.
· Demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities and thrive in a dynamic, deadline-driven industrial setting.
Personal Attributes
· Knowledge of process optimization and lean manufacturing methodologies.
· Familiarity with regulations affecting inventory, financial reporting, and SOX compliance in the steel industry.
· Expertise in profitability management and financial steering through cost and margin analysis.
· Familiarity with regulations affecting inventory, financial reporting, and SOX compliance in the steel industry.
· Expertise in profitability management and financial steering through cost and margin analysis.
· Proven ability to initiate and lead process improvement and change management projects
· Strong organizational skills and a proactive approach to supporting operational leaders
· Strong organizational skills and a proactive approach to supporting operational leaders