At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Finance Business Partner, analysing costs and supporting budgeting in a hybrid role.
- Company: Avantor is a Fortune 500 leader in life sciences, dedicated to advancing science and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy an annual bonus, private medical care, and a supportive international work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in biopharma while developing your career in a collaborative culture.
- Qualifications: CIMA qualified with 5+ years in cost analysis and strong SAP experience required.
- Other info: This role offers flexibility with three days in the office and two from home.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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Finance Business Partner (M/F/D), Birmingham
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Client:
Avantor
Location:
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Job Category:
Other
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EU work permit required:
Yes
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Job Reference:
40f0c9006732
Job Views:
5
Posted:
25.08.2025
Expiry Date:
09.10.2025
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Job Description:
The Opportunity:
Finance Business Partner – Hybrid Theale (Reading)
Avantor is hiring a Finance Business Partner to join our UK Manufacturing team, supporting our biopharma operations. This hybrid role is based at our HiChrom site in Theale, with three days in the office and two from home. Occasional travel to our Head Office in Lutterworth may be required.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Analysing and maintaining product costs and inventory data
- Supporting budgeting, forecasting, and period-end reporting
- Managing bills of materials and production variances
- Ensuring accurate SAP data for operational and strategic decision-making
You’ll work closely with operations, finance, and senior leadership across two divisions—HiChrom, a chromatography specialist with over 30 years of excellence, and Lab 3, delivering semi-automated production for industrial and pharma clients.
Avantor, a Fortune 500 global leader in life sciences and advanced technologies, offers a collaborative culture and meaningful career development.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Cost Accounting:
- Maintain accurate product costs in the SAP ERP system.
- Analyze production and material costs and make recommendations for improved cost controls
- Collaborate with Commercial FP&A, and manufacturing teams to ensure costs are being captured correctly
- Develop standard procedures for product costing
- Prepare month-end manufacturing results and scorecard. Provide insights to results.
- Ensure systems controls are in place and determine operation\’s consistency with corporate objectives and standards through various verification methods and procedures
- Report and monitor plant headcount by function
- Prepare and maintain inventory reporting + cycle count completeness monitoring
- Develop financial models in support of the annual budget and forecasting processes
- Assist department managers in the development of department and organization-wide budgets
- Gather data to support budgeting analysis and forecasting. Analyze current budgets to determine if funds are appropriately spent
- Support in CAPEX analyses/requests
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Perform necessary actions in SAP to ensure accurate data for articles/SKUs:
- Support NPI process for article creation, including BoM and Routing requirements
- Review existing BoM/Routing set ups following capex investments and continual improvement projects to ensure investment returns are recognized
- Drive operational conversations from variance reports to validate current SAP data sets and cleanse data quarterly with operational leads.
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Fluent in English with strong communication skills (verbal & written)
- CIMA Qualified
- 5+ years of experience in plant cost analysis
- SAP Cost accounting software experience is a must
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Independent, self-starter, highly motivated
- Works in a fast-paced environment, often with multiple priorities
- Ability to work with other executives, managers and owners in developing financial forecasts
- Full understanding of cost of sales components and how cost is mapped in a cost system
- Understands standard costing methods and variances
- Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint and advanced Excel skills
- In-depth knowledge of budgeting, and financial analysis processes
- Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills
OFFER
- Annual bonus
- Private medical
- A challenging job in a service-minded company within an international working environment.
- You will join a company that values its employees and helps them develop internally.
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Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Why Avantor?
Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
The work we do changes people\’s lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom\’s voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!
EEO Statement:
We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
Privacy Policy:
We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role.
Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests.
3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:
By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.
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Finance Business Partner (M/F/D) employer: Avantor
Contact Detail:
Avantor Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner (M/F/D)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with SAP cost accounting software, as it's a must-have for this role. Consider taking an online course or tutorial to brush up on your skills and demonstrate your commitment to mastering the tools used in the position.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the finance and biopharma sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with people who can provide insights about the company culture at Avantor and the specific expectations for the Finance Business Partner role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with budgeting and financial analysis in detail during interviews. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed costs and contributed to financial forecasting in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Avantor's recent projects and initiatives in the biopharma sector. Understanding their current challenges and successes will help you tailor your conversation and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner (M/F/D)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in finance and cost analysis. Emphasise your proficiency with SAP and any specific achievements in budgeting or forecasting that align with the responsibilities of the Finance Business Partner role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role at Avantor and how your skills match their needs. Mention your CIMA qualification and your experience in plant cost analysis, showcasing how you can contribute to their biopharma operations.
Highlight Key Skills: Focus on key skills mentioned in the job description, such as analytical abilities, communication skills, and experience with financial modelling. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate these skills effectively.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a finance role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Avantor
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you'll be expected to analyse product costs and inventory data. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with SAP
Since SAP experience is a must for this role, make sure you understand its functionalities related to cost accounting. Be prepared to share examples of how you've used SAP in past positions to manage costs or improve reporting accuracy.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
This role requires collaboration with various teams, so highlight your communication skills during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
The ability to analyse budgets and financial forecasts is crucial. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your analytical skills led to improved financial outcomes or operational efficiencies in your previous roles.