At a Glance
- Tasks: Bridge the gap between engineering and finance, managing budgets and vendor relationships.
- Company: Join a dynamic team in Knutsford, Cheshire, focused on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, part-time flexibility, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Ideal for those seeking a part-time role with significant responsibility and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring projects stay on budget and run smoothly.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in operations or project coordination with strong financial skills.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Knutsford, Cheshire (WA16)
Salary Range: £38,000 – £45,000, part-time, pro rata
Reports to: Head of Engineering
Key Interlock: Finance Director / Central Finance Team
Must have full right to work as this job is not open to sponsorship.
Preferable to drive due to the remote location, within a 40 minute commute.
Role Overview
This is a high-level operational role designed to be the "bridge" between technical delivery and financial discipline. Reporting to the Head of Engineering, you will maintain a continuous interlock with the Finance Department to ensure the engineering team operates within budget and follows all corporate financial protocols. You will be responsible for the "non-technical" engine of the department: Budgeting, SLAs, Versioning, and Vendor Management.
Core Responsibilities
- Finance Interlock & Budgetary Control
- Financial Liaison: Act as the dedicated point of contact between Engineering and the Central Finance team. You will ensure that technical requirements are translated into accurate financial forecasts.
- Budget Oversight: Provide real-time monitoring of departmental spend. You will lead monthly budget review meetings with the Head of Engineering and Finance to explain variances and adjust forecasts.
- Capex/Opex Management: Assist Finance in the correct categorization of engineering spend and provide the necessary documentation for audits.
- Vendor & Third-Party Management
- Commercial Lead: Manage all Third-Party contracts and renewals. Work closely with Finance to ensure all vendors are vetted, and payment terms align with company cashflow strategies.
- SLA & Performance Monitoring: Monitor vendor performance against SLAs. In the event of an SLA break, you will manage the commercial repercussions and coordinate with Finance regarding any service credits or penalties.
- Engineering Lifecycle & Governance
- Versioning & Documentation: Enforce strict Versioning standards for all technical documentation to ensure a clear audit trail for both engineering and finance purposes.
- Evergreen Strategy: Manage the "Evergreen" lifecycle of hardware and software, ensuring that the financial plan accounts for necessary upgrades, patches, and system refreshes.
- Process Improvement: Identify "process breaks" between Engineering and Finance workflows (e.g., PO delays, invoicing errors) and implement permanent Process Improvements.
- Planning & Scheduling
- Resource Scheduling: Lead the Scheduling and Planning of engineering resources, ensuring that project timelines are financially viable and personnel are utilized efficiently.
Mandatory Qualifications
- ITIL Foundation (v3 or v4): Essential for managing SLA breaks, Evergreen cycles, and service delivery.
- PRINCE2 (Foundation or Practitioner): Required for structured Planning, Scheduling, and documentation Versioning.
Requirements
- Proven Experience: 4+ years in a Technical Operations or Project Coordinator role with significant financial responsibility.
- Finance Interlock Experience: A track record of working closely with a Finance Director or central finance team to manage departmental budgets.
- Expert Excel Skills: Ability to build complex financial trackers and operational dashboards.
Operations Planner P/T in Knutsford employer: Custodia
Custodia in Knutsford is an excellent employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a supportive work culture, generous benefits including 25 days holiday, healthcare, and a free onsite gym, we foster an environment where IT professionals can thrive and develop their skills while ensuring technology services align with business needs.
