Senior Cost Engineer in Reading

Bilfinger UK is a leading engineering and maintenance provider, supporting customers across the chemical & petrochemical, nuclear, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals & biopharma, power & energy, utilities, renewables and food & beverage markets. We enhance the efficiency of assets, ensuring a high level of availability and reducing maintenance costs. We have extensive experience in offshore and onshore facilities; specialising in asset management services throughout all life cycle phases from consulting, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning. This commitment is delivered by an experienced and highly competent workforce of over 4,500 employees operating from 14 offices in strategic industrial hubs, upholding the highest standards of safety, compliance and quality.

The position holder is employed as a Senior Cost Engineer for a Nuclear Defence Client and is required to execute identified job tasks in a diligent and efficient way as directed by the Commercial Manager.

• To produce reports from the analysis of cost reports, and forecasts in order to facilitate improved cost control/reduction, and support the Operations team in delivering work scopes within budget and cost recover where appropriate.
• To provide the commercial manager with ‘cost reports’ and ‘value of work done summaries’ in order to advise on progress against budgets, and also ‘forecasts’ of cost to completion.
• To provide advice and support to Delivery Managers regarding commercial aspects of managing contracts based on early interrogation of financial and cost data.
• To assist with the identification and management of contract variations.
• To assist in providing visibility on Contract Financial Performance including the preparation of required elements for monthly management accounts.
• To carry out audits & reviews as necessary, to assist with the identification and implementation of potential commercial improvements.
• To ensure suitable controls are in place in support of financial deliverables.
• To ensure compliance with company policies, processes and procedures related to the management of commercial aspects.
• In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed, the position holder is required to perform other duties as may arise in connection with the successful operation of the Company or assigned by Commercial Manager from time to time.
• To interface with Business Managers, Invoicing, Accounts, Procurement, Tendering.

• Analysis and production of cost report in a format to meet the needs of the client and client agents, the project management team, and the wider management team.
• Produce weekly cost reports data in order to inform clients, operations, and management of progress against budgets.
• Analyse any variances and advise the operations team of the reasons and any required actions e.g. revise estimates or request variation orders.
• Produce forecasts for individual work scopes and ensure these are updated to reflect any changes to the scope, duration or timing of the job.
• Provide the client and client agents with monthly ‘value of work done’ summaries, in order to highlight costs to date, uninvoiced costs to come, plus additional costs to complete the work scope.
• Collation of Contract Budgeting/Forecasting information & check on the integrity of the information provided to ensure the dependability of information provided.
• To collate all relevant start‑up information for jobs/phases and to set up in the company database.
• To facilitate inter‑dept. communication regarding the start‑up of new jobs/phases.
• To study and familiarise oneself with relevant Contract Commercial Terms & Conditions and monitor to ensure compliance with these.
• To review all invoices for completeness & correctness prior to submission to the Client.
• To assist in the preparation of valuations to meet the requirements scope of works.
• Assist in preparation and resolving claims.
• Submission of annual rates uplifts.
• Assist in re‑negotiation of revised contract terms.
• Identification of areas of commercial weakness and assist in rectifying/improving such problems.
• Cross‑sharing of ideas between different contracts to ensure lessons learnt from both positive and negative influences.
• Assist in the standardisation of techniques and reporting mechanisms as far as is possible.
• Assist in preparing/reviewing the commercial element of Business Cases.
• Interface with Procurement Team on any project‑specific aspects that fall out with Master Supplier/Sub‑Contract Agreements.
• Assists the in preparation of financial elements for Client reports.
• Monitor and provide feedback relative to KPI performance and highlight areas where improvement is necessary to optimise financial return.
• Assist in purchase v hire decision for equipment.
• Interface person for internal Accounts/Invoicing departments with regard to commercial issues.
• Reconciliation exercises as required.
• Provides detailed analysis of completed projects to highlight areas of learning and improvement.

• Proven track record in a similar role.
• Experience in a fast‑paced work environment.
• Possess a finance degree or be working towards a recognised accounting qualification or have suitable relevant experience working in a similar Commercial or Financial role (desirable).
• Problem Solver.
• Self‑starter and team player with excellent communication skills.
• Relationship builder with strong commercial Awareness.
• Ability to work under pressure and to a deadline.
• Knowledge/previous use of SAP (desirable).
• Highly personable.
• Assertive and confident.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Experience of different contract types.

If you wish to speak to a member of the recruitment team, please contact 01224 246246.