Position: Senior Cost Accountant

Position Type: Fulltime

Department: Finance 

Location: Saltriver, Cape Town (Onsite) 

Experience: CIMA or similar qualification with minimum 7 years related experience

Watchmaker Genomics is a global life science company based in Boulder, Colorado with an R&D and Production facility in Cape Town, South Africa. Our team is passionate about innovation and values collaboration, creativity, and scientific rigor. We believe that the intersection of biology, engineering, and computer science presents exciting opportunities for developing novel technologies that promote research and improve human health. Watchmaker Genomics specializes in the design, development, and production of DNA- and RNA-modifying enzymes that enable high-growth applications in genomics, molecular diagnostics, and personalized medicine.

Position Description

Watchmaker is inviting applications for the full-time Senior Cost Accountant position based in Cape Town, South Africa.  The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced working environment and contribute directly to our company culture and success. 

Responsibilities

• Own and oversee the Cost Accounting function, ensuring accurate and timely costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing variances and month-end cost accounting processes.
• Review and approve key costing, inventory reconciliations, variance analyses and cost accounting outputs prepared by the Junior Cost Accountant.
• Lead manufacturing cost and variance analysis, identifying key drivers, trends and opportunities to improve cost efficiency and operational performance.
• Develop, maintain and improve product cost models, including material, labour, overhead absorption, yield, batch size and manufacturing cost assumptions.
• Provide costing support throughout the product lifecycle, from R&D handover and new product introduction through to commercial production and product optimisation.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, R&D and Quality to provide financial insight, challenge cost drivers and support operational decision-making.
• Act as a key Finance business partner to operational leaders, translating financial and costing information into actionable recommendations to improve efficiency, margins and profitability.
• Lead the preparation and analysis of manufacturing and operational forecasts, including COGS, inventory, labour, overheads and other cost drivers.
• Support the annual budgeting process and ongoing financial planning, providing cost assumptions, operational inputs, scenario analysis and financial modelling.
• Provide Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) support through monthly performance reviews, forecasting, budget-versus-actual analysis, trend analysis and identification of key financial risks and opportunities.
• Prepare and present meaningful management reporting on COGS, manufacturing performance, inventory, product costs and operational variances, providing commentary on key drivers and recommended actions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across costing, inventory and financial processes, including optimisation of Epicor, improved reporting, automation and strengthening of financial controls.
• Support the Director of Finance, Operations with strategic financial analysis, business cases, investment decisions, cost-reduction initiatives, scenario modelling and other operational finance projects.

Please note:  The above is not exhaustive and similar additional duties may be required from time to time..

Skills and Requirements 

• Excellent organisational skills, meticulous attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within predetermined deadlines and under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and business partnering skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and influence decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, with a high level of self-motivation, initiative and the ability to translate financial information into meaningful business insights.
• A creative, commercially focused and disciplined approach to problem-solving, financial planning and continuous improvement.

Education

CIMA or similar qualification with minimum 7 years related experience. Manufacturing experience would be beneficial

Application Procedure

To apply for the position, please submit the following in a PDF format on watchmakergenomics.com: 

• Letter of motivation 
• Resume or Curriculum vitae, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience

Applications without a Letter of Motivation will not be considered. Applicants must be South African or be eligible to work in South Africa and already possess the necessary work permits or visas, or be able to obtain them before responding to this vacancy.

To ensure your application is considered, please submit it by 24 September 2026.  Please note that this position may close earlier if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

If selected to participate in the interview process, the names and contact information of three professional references who are able to assess your suitability for the position in terms of the specified requirements will be requested. We will also request a current payslip.

NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE

We are only accepting direct applications for this position. We are not working with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from third-party recruiters will not be considered and will be deemed the property of Watchmaker Genomics

SOUTH AFRICA - WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Watchmaker Genomics is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and creating a culturally diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics as protected by applicable law.

All applicants will be asked if they are currently eligible to work in South Africa.  South African citizens are preferred.

This position may be subject to pre-employment checks, including driving history check, credit check, drug screening and a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. All pre-employment checks will comply with all applicable laws.