Cost Controller

Nairobi Safari Club by Swiss-Belhotel is a hospitality establishment located in Nairobi, Kenya, offering accommodation and services.

This role involves overseeing all aspects of cost control within the hotel, including inventory management, store operations, and food and beverage costing. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with established procedures, maintain accurate records, and contribute to timely financial reporting and effective cost reduction initiatives.

1. Oversee Cost Control and Stores operations, ensuring adherence to established procedures and standards.
2. Monitor stock levels across purchasing, receiving, storage, issuing, recording, and re-ordering processes.
3. Perform regular inventories, conduct spot checks, reconcile records, and investigate any discrepancies found.
4. Generate comprehensive cost control reports, detailing variances, slow-moving stock, and month-end inventory data.
5. Manage food and beverage recipes, calculate menu costs, set selling prices, and implement usage controls.
6. Protect inventory from waste, spoilage, damage, and theft.
7. Conduct market surveys and provide the Purchasing department with essential pricing and availability information.
8. Supervise, train, and evaluate the performance of Cost Control and Stores personnel.
9. Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
10. Attend relevant meetings and undertake other duties as directed by Finance management.

1. Possess a strong understanding of hotel cost control, inventory management, and food and beverage costing principles.
2. Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with keen attention to detail to identify discrepancies and make informed decisions.
3. Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, capable of effectively supervising and developing staff.
4. Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism, ethics, integrity, and accountability.
5. Be proactive and observant, with the ability to identify operational risks and propose improvements.
6. Strong knowledge of inventory control, stocktaking, reconciliation, and cost-saving practices.
7. Ability to work independently, show initiative, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.
8. Computer literate, proficient in Microsoft Office and hotel systems like Opera and Materials Control.
9. Willingness to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
10. Diploma in Accounting or an equivalent qualification.
11. Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a similar Cost Control role within a hotel setting.
12. Prior experience in a 4-5-star hotel, ideally with an international brand, is an advantage.
13. Experience with hotel systems such as Materials Control, Opera/PMS, and Microsoft Office.
14. Must be willing to undergo necessary medical tests and obtain a Food Handler Certificate as per Kenyan regulations.