At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide financial insight and support for Operations and R&D at a cutting-edge medical device company.
- Company: Join CMR Surgical, a leader in minimal access surgery innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, healthcare, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while working with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in finance roles, especially in manufacturing or operations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About CMR Surgical
At CMR Surgical, we're revolutionising the future of minimal access surgery with Versius, our next-generation surgical robotic system. We're growing fast, and we’re on a mission to transform how surgery is delivered globally for the benefit of patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems. Our values—Ambitious, Humble, People-Focused, and Fair & Responsible define our approach to innovation, partnership, and growth. If you believe in making a meaningful difference in healthcare and want to be part of a purpose-driven company with bold ambitions, now is the time to join us.
About the Role
The Finance Business Partner – Operations and R&D will be a key member of the Business Finance team, providing financial insight, decision support, and performance management across CMR Surgical’s Operations and R&D functions, including Manufacturing, Repair Centre, Supply Chain, Logistics, Field Services, Customer Service, Technology, Regulatory, and Clinical teams. This role will work in close proximity with cost accounting, drive inventory reduction initiatives, support R&D investment prioritisation, and develop and monitor Operational and R&D KPIs to support delivery of strategic objectives. This role is offered on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of 3 days a week being based in the office.
Responsibilities
- Business Partnering – Operations and R&D: Act as the primary finance contact for Operations and R&D leadership, providing proactive financial insight and advice to support decision-making. Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Logistics, Customer Service, Technology, Clinical, and Regulatory teams to develop and deliver cost, efficiency, investment, and milestone targets. Challenge and support Operations and R&D leaders to deliver against budgets, forecasts, project plans, and key performance metrics. Support portfolio and project prioritisation by evaluating R&D spend, resource requirements, business cases, and expected value from product development initiatives.
- Performance Management, Project Reporting & Decision Support: Lead financial performance reviews for Operations and R&D, highlighting trends, risks, opportunities, and implications for delivery timelines. Develop and maintain meaningful Operations and R&D KPIs to monitor efficiency, productivity, quality, project progress, milestone delivery, and spend against plan. Prepare and present monthly operations and R&D performance packs for senior management, including variance analysis, forecast movements, and key decisions required. Provide financial modelling and scenario analysis for R&D projects, including programme options, resource trade-offs, investment cases, and stage-gate decisions.
- Cost Accounting & Inventory Control: Maintain a strong understanding of the cost accounting processes and partner with Accounting to resolve any reporting discrepancies. Partner with operational teams to identify and deliver initiatives to reduce inventory levels while maintaining service and quality standards. Monitor and improve stock accuracy, slow-moving and obsolete inventory management, and working capital efficiency.
- Planning, Forecasting & R&D Project Finance: Lead Operations and R&D input into the annual budget and regular forecasting cycles, ensuring alignment between operational plans, R&D roadmaps, programme milestones, and financial objectives. Support scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, and business cases for operational initiatives, R&D programmes, product development projects, and capital or resource investments. Track R&D project spend by programme, cost centre, milestone, and vendor, ensuring forecasts reflect latest timelines, scope changes, resourcing plans, and technical priorities. Partner with Finance, Accounting, and R&D teams to ensure appropriate treatment of R&D costs, accruals, capitalisation considerations, and month-end reporting requirements.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify and drive process improvements in Operations and R&D reporting, KPI tracking, and project cost visibility. Contribute to initiatives aimed at cost optimisation, process efficiency, operational excellence, and improved financial governance for R&D investments. Support improvements to forecasting accuracy, data quality, and standard reporting across Operations and R&D, enabling faster and better-informed decision-making.
About you
To be successful in this role, you’ll need to have/be:
- Essential: Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) with experience in a manufacturing, supply chain, or operations-focused finance role. Strong understanding of cost accounting, inventory management, and operational performance metrics. Proven ability to partner with senior stakeholders and influence decision-making. Analytical and detail-oriented, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. Strong Excel and financial modelling skills. Experience with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite).
- Desirable: Experience in medical devices, technology manufacturing, or regulated industries. Track record of delivering cost savings and operational performance improvements. Knowledge of Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies.
Personal Attributes
- Commercially astute with a strategic mindset.
- Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative and engaging, with strong communication skills.
- Proactive, results-driven, and comfortable challenging the status quo.
Why Join Us?
We offer a competitive salary and a great benefits package including a bonus, pension, healthcare and enhanced global parental leave pay.
Interested? We’d love to hear from you! This role requires candidates to have eligibility to work within the UK. Strictly no agencies.
Finance Business Partner – Operations and R&D in Cambridge employer: Cmr Surgical
At CMR Surgical, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that champions innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our supportive environment, where autonomy and visibility of contributions are encouraged, making every team member's impact meaningful. With a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to be part of a transformative mission in healthcare, joining us means being at the forefront of medical technology advancements in a vibrant and evolving workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner – Operations and R&D in Cambridge
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Cmr Surgical. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner – Operations and R&D in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Cmr Surgical.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Cmr Surgical's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cmr Surgical
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Cmr Surgical.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Cmr Surgical will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Cmr Surgical employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
