The Opportunity to shape the financial future of Australia’s leading transport manufacturing organisation. As our Finance Manager, you will play a pivotal role in optimising our financial operations and driving strategic outcomes. Based at our manufacturing hub in Ballarat, this permanent position offers a seasoned financial leader the opportunity to work closely with executive leadership, master complex industrial operations, and make a tangible impact on our business. Freighter Group is a powerhouse of large-scale Australian manufacturing. Known for engineering excellence, robust build quality, and industry-leading transport solutions, we are embarking on an exciting period of growth and corporate evolution. To support this trajectory, we are seeking a commercially sharp, operationally rigorous Finance Manager to lead our on-site finance function. The Role Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) , you will act as a critical commercial advisor and strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership team, translating complex plant metrics into actionable business intelligence. This broad, highly visible position balances top-tier corporate governance with hands-on operational leadership. You will drive advanced cost accounting across our production lines while directly managing, mentoring, and elevating our dedicated transaction finance teams across general ledger, Accounts Payable (AP) , and Accounts Receivable (AR) . Standout Highlights: Strategic Partnering: Work closely as a strategic partner to the CEO, CFO, and executive team to steer commercial outcomes and drive business growth. Leadership & Culture: Lead, mentor, and elevate a dedicated team of finance professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement across general ledger, AP, and AR functions. Digital Evolution: Play a central role in driving digital transformation across our financial systems, leveraging advanced ERP capabilities to streamline reporting and analysis. Tangible Impact: Manage working capital and mitigate financial risks in a proud, large-scale Australian manufacturing environment. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Financial Leadership: Partner with the CFO and CEO to provide timely, accurate, and forward-looking financial insights. Drive financial digital transformation initiatives to streamline reporting and eliminate manual processes. Operational Control & Team Leadership: Oversee the full end-of-year financial procedures, statutory reporting, and tax compliance. Directly manage, mentor, and lead the Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) management teams. Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the annual corporate budgeting process, periodic forecasting cycles, and variance analysis to ensure robust financial discipline across the organisation. Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure transparent, accurate, and effective financial reporting while fostering collaborative relationships across the organisation. Selection Criteria: Senior Leadership: 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with a minimum of 5 years spent in a similar Finance Manager or controller role. Industrial Capability: Proven track record in a large-scale manufacturing, industrial, or heavy engineering environment. Systems Mastery: Advanced proficiency and hands-on mastery of ERP with a strong preference to SAP S/4HANA experience. Financial Acumen: Deep understanding across cost accounting, BOM structures, management accounting, corporate budgeting, end-of-year procedures, and accounts payable/receivable management. Risk & Capital Management: Previous track record at managing banking facilities a plus. Market Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of the Australian market, including local tax, regulatory compliance, and statutory reporting frameworks. Qualifications: Tertiary qualification (Bachelor's Degree) in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, paired with a fully qualified CPA or CA certification. Location Commitment: Based full-time or with a willingness to be primarily based at our Ballarat facility. What We Offer: A permanent, pivotal career opportunity with a proud, major Australian employer. Direct influence over commercial strategy, partnering with the CFO. A collaborative, high-performing corporate culture backed by exceptional manufacturing heritage. Apply Now.
