Job Title: Cost Controller – F&B Manufacturing Division
Department: Finance & Accounts
Reporting To: Group CFO
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Company: Synova Co., Ltd.
Position Overview
The Cost Controller for the F&B Manufacturing Division will be responsible for ensuring end-to-end cost efficiency across the production value chain — from raw material sourcing and packaging to factory operations and distribution. This role will focus on detailed cost tracking, variance analysis, and cost optimization across product lines to improve divisional profitability. The position demands close collaboration with Production, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Finance teams to establish a strong cost control culture and ensure accurate product costing and margin reporting.
Proficient English Speaking, Listening, Writing & Reading Skills as they need to report and interact with expat employees as well.
Key Responsibilities
1. Cost Monitoring & Analysis
- Track daily, weekly, and monthly cost performance across all F&B manufacturing units covering raw materials, packaging materials, direct labor, factory overheads, and distribution costs.
- Compare actual production costs with standards and budgets to identify significant variances and root causes.
- Analyze raw material usage efficiency, wastages, and yield percentages to identify cost leakages and improvement areas.
- Review packaging material consumption trends by product category and ensure accurate mapping to production batches.
- Prepare comprehensive cost variance reports with actionable recommendations for plant management.
2. Budgeting, Standard Costing & Forecasting
- Assist in preparing annual budgets, standard cost revisions, and rolling forecasts for manufacturing operations.
- Validate and maintain standard cost sheets for all finished goods, semi-finished goods, and by-products.
- Coordinate with procurement and operations teams to ensure cost assumptions reflect current market trends and operational realities.
- Support management in pricing decisions by providing accurate cost and margin analysis by SKU and customer.
3. Cost Optimization Initiatives
- Partner with manufacturing, procurement, and logistics teams to drive cost reduction initiatives, focusing on:
- Raw material cost optimization through yield improvement, supplier negotiation, and alternative sourcing.
- Packaging cost reduction through specification rationalization, bulk procurement, or design efficiency.
- Distribution cost efficiency through route optimization, vehicle utilization improvement, and better logistics planning.
- Evaluate manufacturing process improvements and automation projects from a cost-benefit perspective.
- Track savings realization from each cost optimization initiative and report progress to the management team.
4. Reporting & Management Information Systems
- Prepare monthly Factory Profitability and Direct Cost (FPD) reports, highlighting category-wise cost structures and key variances.
- Present management dashboards on COGS trends, cost per kg/liter/unit, and gross margin performance for major product lines.
- Support divisional management with data-driven insights on cost-to-serve, plant utilization, and overhead absorption.
- Provide regular reports to Group CFO consolidating divisional cost performance vs. target.
5. ERP, Data Integrity & Process Control
- Ensure accuracy of item master data, BOMs, and production routings in Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O (or AX).
- Monitor correct cost booking, consumption entries, and overhead allocations in ERP.
- Strengthen internal controls around material issuance, consumption reporting, and production variances.
- Coordinate with the IT/ERP team for cost-related process improvements and automation of reports.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Procurement to analyze purchase price trends and supplier performance.
- Partner with Production and Supply Chain to track wastage, rework, and logistics costs.
- Liaise with Corporate Finance for consolidated financial reporting and inter-division cost allocation reviews.
- Support Internal and External Audits with detailed cost data, reconciliations, and justifications.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Food Science with strong accounting modules, or related field from a recognized university.
- Professional certification is highly desirable such as:
- Certified Cost and Management Accountant (CMA)
- ACCA, CIMA, or US/UK equivalent (if applicable)
- Postgraduate degree (Master’s in Finance, MBA, or MPA) is a plus, particularly if specialization in cost management, operations, or supply chain.
- Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in finance/cost accounting in a manufacturing environment, with at least 2–3 years in food & beverage (F&B) or similar consumer goods sector.
- Hands-on experience in standard costing, variance analysis, raw material costing, packaging cost, and cost management of manufacturing operations.
- Experience working in Thailand’s regulatory and costing environment (local suppliers, import/export duties, utilities, labour laws etc.).
- Familiarity with ERP systems — preferably Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O, SAP, or similar — especially cost tracking, BOMs, production routings.
- Demonstrated track record of implementing cost control or cost optimization initiatives (labor, materials, distribution) and improving profitability.
- Strong reporting skills: ability to prepare MIS, dashboards, and communicate cost insights to senior management with proficiency in MS Excel, Power Point and Power BI
Key Competencies
- Deep understanding of F&B production processes and cost drivers.
- Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in financial data handling.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
- Ability to translate cost insights into practical business actions.
- Integrity and commitment to maintaining financial discipline.
Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Reduction in material and packaging cost variances.
- Improvement in overall Factory Profitability (FPD%) vs target.
- Accuracy and timeliness of standard costing and variance reports.
- Realization of identified cost optimization initiatives.
- Improvement in distribution cost efficiency (cost per delivery/unit).
- Audit compliance and ERP data integrity.