• Location: Ballarat, VIC
• Work Type: Full Time, Permanent
• Reporting To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

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.