DEPUTY DIRECTOR: COSTING AND PRICING

This position is for a Deputy Director in Costing and Pricing within the Government Printing Works in Pretoria, a key managerial role within the public service accounting and financial management environment. The incumbent will be responsible for the full spectrum of costing and pricing activities, ensuring that the department operates efficiently, accurately prices its products and services, and remains financially viable. Working within the regulatory constraints of the Public Finance Management Act, National Treasury Regulations, and broader public service frameworks, the role demands a blend of technical accounting expertise, strategic pricing insight, and supervisory leadership.

Applicants must hold a Grade 12 certificate plus a degree at NQF Level 7 in Cost and Management Accounting, or a B Com Finance degree with a costing major, recognised by SAQA. At least three years of experience at the Assistant Director level, specifically within costing, pricing, estimation, or accounting, is a firm requirement. A valid driver’s licence is essential, as is a working knowledge of the Public Service Act and Regulations, the Labour Relations Act, and the prescripts that govern public finance. Familiarity with cost accounting, business practices, and the way public service policies shape budgeting and pricing is critical.

The duties are broad and include developing, implementing, and maintaining a robust costing and pricing system; sourcing and verifying pricing information, unit costs, and data for bids using in-country and market data; and maintaining accurate databases for cost and selling prices. The Deputy Director will provide strategic advice to staff on pricing strategies that keep proposals competitive and cost-efficient while ensuring full compliance with all regulations. This includes managing cost proposal modifications, developing templates and proposal forms, and conducting work centre rates calculations. The role also involves allocating indirect and variable costs to cost centres, ensuring production hours are properly utilised, and managing total manufacturing costs.

A further key component is the analysis of completed work and job ticket closure. The successful candidate will examine labour utilisation, raw material consumption, efficiency, and adherence to processes, closing jobs as finished goods at manufacturing completion and coordinating delivery to customers. Profitability analysis is central to the post, requiring quarterly reviews of standard stock costs against selling prices to determine whether the department is making a profit, as well as analysing purchase price variance reports to update inventory and standard costs. Managerially, the position carries responsibility for team performance, monitoring equipment use and maintenance, conducting performance appraisals, developing staff capacity and job descriptions, implementing workplace discipline, managing leave, and allocating work appropriately. The advertisement also reflects public service recruitment requirements, including pre-entry assessments for shortlisted candidates and, for senior management posts, the completion of the Nyukela pre-entry programme. This is a demanding job for an experienced costing professional seeking to make a measurable impact in a state-owned production environment.