Management Accountant

King Country Pet Food – Manawatu District, North Island About Us New Zealand is renowned across the globe as one of the purest and natural places on Earth – It’s clean, green and simply beautiful, and King Country is possibly the jewel in that crown. A fertile and naturally abundant land of rolling hills, ambling rivers and lush vegetation, perfect for cultivation of quality crops and livestock. Almost a quarter of the local community is directly involved in Agriculture of some kind, including significant free-range Sheep and Beef farms. King Country Pet Food is based near Taumarunui at the centre of this historic region, set near the banks of the beautiful Whanganui river. Our core values include having a strong, respectful connection to the local community, and we take pride in calling King Country our home. As a new start up enterprise, and addition to New Zealand’s pet foods’ growing popularity amongst pet lovers the world over, we have a state‑of‑the‑art plant and facilities, sourcing the finest ingredients to produce products to rival the best in the world. The Role Reporting to the Finance Manager, we are seeking a detail‑driven and commercially minded Management Accountant to join our Finance team and play a key role in supporting operational and strategic decision‑making within our manufacturing business. This role is well suited to someone who enjoys working closely with operations, has a strong grasp of product and manufacturing cost drivers, and is keen to add value through analysis, insight, and continuous improvement. We are offering a full-time position, working a 40 hour working week, with some occasional overtime and flexibility required around month / year end reporting. About You You will bring strong analytical capability, attention to detail, and the ability to translate numbers into practical business insights. Experience in a manufacturing or operational environment will be highly regarded, along with a proactive, hands‑on approach and the confidence to engage with non‑finance stakeholders. Key Responsibilities Lead product costing activities, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and ongoing maintenance. Oversee Bills of Materials (BOM) costings, ensuring updates reflect current materials, labour, and overhead inputs. Conduct detailed analysis of manufacturing costs, including raw materials, labour, and overheads. Perform cost and variance analysis, identifying trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement. Monitor actual performance against budget and standards, providing clear variance explanations to stakeholders. Provide meaningful insights into cost drivers, cost trends, and areas of concern to support operational and commercial decision‑making. Support budgeting, forecasting, and operational planning activities, particularly as they relate to manufacturing and product cost performance. Assist the business with financial analysis for projects, capital investment decisions, and continuous improvement initiatives. Promote adherence to financial controls, cost disciplines, and best practice across the business. Prepare ad‑hoc analysis and financial models to support business strategy and objectives. Collaborate with operations, supply chain, engineering, and other stakeholders to improve cost visibility and data accuracy. Support other members of the Finance team and assist with additional tasks as required. Are you who we are looking for? You will have experience in a commercial accounting or management accounting role, ideally within an FMCG or manufacturing environment, and enjoy working closely with operations to provide insight and support sound business decisions. You will also bring Degree‑qualified in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline, and/or equivalent relevant experience Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in cost and management accounting Experience working within a manufacturing environment, with exposure to product costing and operational cost drivers A strong attention to detail with a high level of accuracy Well‑developed analytical skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and provide actionable insights Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively A proactive and solutions‑focused approach to identifying issues and improving processes Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with operational teams, key stakeholders, and external partners A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively as part of a finance team and across departments The ability to communicate financial information clearly and confidently to non‑financial stakeholders High‑level verbal and written communication skills Well‑developed computer skills, including experience working with ERP and inventory systems A strong commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical standards when handling financial information What’s on our doorstep? Mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes. We encourage work life balance and are fortunate to have many outdoor activities nearby – skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, tramping, hunting, fishing, kayaking, rafting, boating, golf, just to name a few. If you are looking for a change of pace and would embrace small town country / rural living, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a team who have come together to form a truly successful NZ Petfood business. To learn more about tour business please visit our websitewww.kingcountrypetfood.com What is in it for you? Competitive salary depending on experience. Job security Onsite parking Mandatory training provided. Family and pet friendly focus Permanent position with full-time hours If you're an experience Accountant who's ready to make a significant impact and be part of our success story, we'd love to hear from you. Join our thriving team, where your capabilities are celebrated and ongoing career development is encouraged. #J-18808-Ljbffr