Commercial Cost Accountant Controller in Newton Aycliffe, North East

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Commercial Cost Controller / Accountant to play a key role in supporting commercial performance within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This position is responsible for overseeing sales administration, business planning and forecasting, RFQ management, claims handling, and project profitability, ensuring accurate financial and commercial control across the business.

Your new role

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial & Reporting
  • Provide regular reporting on: Claims status, Sales administration performance, RFQ pipeline and status, Commercial activities
  • Act as a key interface between site operations and central/commercial teams
  • Lead and participate in commercial review meetings, identifying risks and opportunities
• Sales Administration & Pricing
  • Ensure accurate and effective sales administration processes
  • Maintain and manage pricing data within ERP systems
  • Track and manage customer pricing, rebates, and compensation mechanisms
  • Maintain clear visibility of current and future sales prices
• Business Planning & Forecasting
  • Support and coordinate forecasting and budgeting activities
  • Work closely with finance and operational teams to ensure robust and accurate forecasts
  • Monitor performance against plan and highlight key variances
• New Business & RFQ Management
  • Support development of new business cases and quotations
  • Ensure alignment of cost assumptions with current operational performance
  • Translate business cases into detailed customer cost breakdowns
• Claims Management
  • Lead the identification, development, and escalation of commercial claims
  • Track and report on claim progress and resolution
• Project Profitability
  • Monitor project profitability against business case expectations
  • Identify deviations and drive corrective actions
• Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Work closely with: Finance and controlling teams, Commercial and account management teams, Purchasing and supply chain
  • Ensure alignment on pricing movements and cost changes

What you'll need to succeed

Key Skills & Experience

• Essential
  • Strong commercial and financial acumen
  • Advanced numerical and analytical skills
  • Experience in forecasting, reporting, and business planning
  • Ability to influence stakeholders across multiple functions
  • Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Desirable
  • Experience in a manufacturing or automotive environment
  • Knowledge of ERP systems (e.g. SAP)
  • Understanding of costing, pricing, and contribution analysis
  • Professional qualification (CIMA, ACCA or equivalent) - or working towards

Qualifications

• Degree level education or equivalent experience

Key Competencies

• Results Driven - delivers high-quality outcomes within deadlines
• Planning & Organisation - manages competing priorities effectively
• Relationship Building - builds trust with internal and external stakeholders
• Influencing - confident in articulating and promoting commercial viewpoints
• Analytical Thinking - able to interpret complex data and identify solutions
• Commercial Awareness - understands drivers of profitability and growth

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and self-motivated
• Strong attention to detail
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative team player
• Flexible approach to support business needs

What you'll get in return

• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and commercially focused role
• Significant exposure to senior stakeholders
• A key position influencing business performance and growth
• An attractive salary and benefits package

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.