At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost management strategies and drive significant savings across multiple manufacturing sites.
- Company: Join a major multi-site food manufacturing group in West London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and exposure to senior leadership.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant career growth and influence within the organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial performance and shape cost management practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in Zero-Based Budgeting and cost transformation.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
- West London with regular UK and European travel
- Competitive salary and package
Blakeney Point Search & Selection is partnering with a major multi-site food manufacturing group to appoint a Head of Fixed Cost Management.
Reporting to the Director of FP&A, this is a newly defined and highly influential role with responsibility for the planning, control, benchmarking and reduction of a substantial fixed-cost base across an extensive network of UK and European manufacturing operations.
The successful candidate will establish a consistent, data-led approach to cost management across the organisation.
They will own and develop the group’s Zero-Based Budgeting framework, identify opportunities through internal and external benchmarking, and work with operational and functional leaders to convert those opportunities into sustainable P&L savings.
This is not simply a reporting role.
It requires a commercially minded finance leader who can challenge established cost structures, influence senior stakeholders and lead complex improvement programmes across multiple sites and business units.
Key responsibilities
- Own and develop the group-wide Zero-Based Budgeting methodology, governance and review cadence.
- Lead the annual budget, quarterly reforecast and monthly outlook for the fixed-cost base, including indirect labour, utilities, maintenance, leases, IT, professional services, insurance and depreciation.
- Build internal and external benchmarks to identify cost outliers and opportunities across the manufacturing network.
- Translate benchmarking and variance analysis into a prioritised cost-reduction pipeline, with clear targets, owners, milestones and payback measures.
- Partner with site leadership, Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, HR and Operational Excellence to deliver sustainable savings.
- Ensure identified benefits are captured accurately within budgets, forecasts and the P&L.
- Own senior-level fixed-cost reporting, providing clear analysis of performance, risks and opportunities.
- Strengthen governance around indirect headcount, central costs, recharges, leases and asset-related costs.
- Improve reporting quality and efficiency through automation, connected planning and business intelligence tools.
- Lead and develop a direct report while operating as a virtual leader across finance and operational teams.
About you
You will be a qualified accountant-ACA, ACCA or CIMA with significant post-qualification experience gained within a complex FMCG, food manufacturing or industrial environment.
You should also be able to demonstrate
- Experience of leading Zero-Based Budgeting, zero-overhead or similarly rigorous cost-transformation programmes at scale.
- A strong record of identifying, delivering and tracking material cost savings.
- Experience within a large, multi-site and preferably multi-entity organisation.
- Strong benchmarking, project delivery and financial planning capabilities.
- The credibility to challenge senior executives, site leaders and functional cost owners using robust commercial analysis.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience of enterprise planning, ERP and business intelligence platforms.
- An ability to move confidently between detailed cost analysis and executive-level communication.
- Willingness to travel regularly across UK and European manufacturing locations.
The opportunity
This is an opportunity to build and lead a strategically important capability within a large and complex manufacturing organisation.
The role offers considerable exposure to the CFO, Executive Leadership Team and senior operational stakeholders, with a direct mandate to influence business performance and embed lasting cost discipline.
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Head of Fixed Cost Management in Uxbridge employer: Blakeney Point Search & Selection
Blakeney Point Search & Selection is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and benefits package in the vibrant setting of West London. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, this role provides the opportunity to lead significant cost management initiatives within a major multi-site food manufacturing group, fostering a collaborative work culture that values innovation and strategic thinking. Employees can expect regular engagement with senior leadership, enhancing their professional journey while contributing to impactful financial transformations across the organisation.
Contact Details:
Blakeney Point Search & Selection Recruitment Team
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Fixed Cost Management in Uxbridge
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