At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse manufacturing performance and support budgeting to drive efficiency.
- Company: Dynamic manufacturing business in Salford, Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, study support, 25 holidays, and pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on operational performance while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Studying towards ACCA/CIMA with management accounting experience.
- Other info: Excellent career progression and exposure to senior stakeholders.
A leading Manchester-based manufacturing business is seeking a hands-on Management Accountant to join its operations-focused finance team. Reporting to the Finance Manager, this is a key role responsible for delivering high quality analysis, insights, and reporting to support decision making on the factory floor. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys getting into the detail, partnering with operational teams, and driving efficiency and profitability.
The Role
As Management Accountant, you will play a central part in analysing manufacturing performance, supporting budgeting and forecasting cycles, and ensuring strong financial control across production activities. You will work closely with Operations, Engineering and Finance to provide insight that improves efficiency, reduces waste, and enhances production profitability.
Key Responsibilities
- Manufacturing & Cost Analysis
- Produce weekly and monthly manufacturing performance reports.
- Analyse production yields, labour efficiency and manufacturing variances.
- Review Actual vs Standard Cost and comment on key cost drivers.
- Monitor production costs and COGS, highlighting risks and opportunities.
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Standard Costing
- Support annual budgets and periodic forecasts for production volumes, COGS and overheads.
- Maintain and update standard costs and Bills of Materials.
- Business Partnering
- Build strong working relationships with Operations and Engineering teams.
- Support CAPEX business cases, ROI analysis and operational improvement projects.
- Reconcile and maintain key operational balance sheet accounts (e.g., stock, inventory provisions).
- Month-End & Financial Control
- Prepare month end journals for accruals, stock adjustments and overheads.
- Assist with factory overhead reporting and variance analysis.
- Support stock counts and year end audit requirements.
About You
Experience & Qualifications
- Studying towards ACCA/CIMA, Part Qualified or QBE.
- Strong background in management or cost accounting within a manufacturing environment.
- Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, XLOOKUPs, modelling).
Personal Attributes
- Strong interest in manufacturing and operational performance.
- Able to communicate financial insights clearly to non-finance colleagues.
- Proactive, deadline driven and resilient in a fast-paced setting.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary + study support
- 25 holidays, a contributory pension and bonus
- Excellent career progression within a growing manufacturing business
- Exposure to senior stakeholders and real impact on operational performance
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.
Manufacturing Management Accountant in Salford employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Management Accountant in Salford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the manufacturing sector, especially those who work in finance. A casual chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of manufacturing performance metrics. Be ready to discuss how your skills can drive efficiency and profitability in a hands-on way.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your Excel skills! Bring examples of how you've used advanced functions to analyse data or improve processes. This will impress hiring managers looking for someone detail-oriented.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Management Accountant in Salford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Manufacturing Management Accountant role. Highlight your background in management or cost accounting, especially within a manufacturing environment, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about manufacturing and operational performance. Share specific examples of how you've driven efficiency and profitability in previous roles – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Excel Skills: Since advanced Excel skills are a must for this role, don’t forget to mention your experience with pivot tables, XLOOKUPs, and modelling. If you’ve used these skills to analyse production yields or costs, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Manufacturing Management Accountant, you'll need to be comfortable with financial data. Brush up on key metrics like production yields and COGS before the interview. Being able to discuss these figures confidently will show that you understand the role's demands.
✨Showcase Your Excel Skills
Advanced Excel skills are crucial for this position. Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with pivot tables and XLOOKUPs during the interview. You might even be asked to solve a problem on the spot, so practice some common scenarios beforehand.
✨Understand the Business
Research the company’s manufacturing processes and recent performance. Being able to discuss how you can contribute to improving efficiency and profitability will impress the interviewers. They want to see that you're not just a numbers person but also someone who understands the operational side.
✨Build Rapport with Non-Finance Colleagues
Since you'll be partnering with operations and engineering teams, think about how you can communicate financial insights clearly. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with non-financial colleagues in the past, as this will highlight your ability to bridge the gap between finance and operations.