At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product costing and financial analysis to support strategic decisions.
- Company: Join Hotel Chocolat, a premium brand with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on knowledge-sharing and team development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while driving sustainability initiatives.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong experience in product costing and data analysis.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Hotel Chocolat, we are looking for a commercially driven Finance Manager – Product Costings to play a pivotal role in supporting operational and strategic decisions. This role requires partnering with Product Development, Procurement, Sustainability and IT teams to deliver robust costing, insightful reporting and meaningful financial analysis.
Key Responsibilities
- Product Costings & Commercial Insight
- Lead costing for new and existing product development, from feasibility through to launch
- Partner with Product Development to ensure costings reflect the premium brand positioning
- Deliver accurate and timely data into costing systems and collaborate with IT and data teams to improve data quality and integrity
- Work cross‑functionally with Procurement Finance and senior stakeholders to ensure competitive, up‑to‑date cost data
- Track product costings and enhance visibility across the business
- Drive rigorous sign‑off processes throughout the product lifecycle
- Analyse financial data to identify trends, variances and opportunities for efficiency
- Monitor post‑launch performance versus standard costs and provide actionable insights
- Process Improvement & Systems
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of costing systems and processes
- Own the annual standard cost revaluation process
- Identify and implement efficiencies within revaluation and costing workflows
- Create process maps and introduce improved ways of working, including new costing templates
- Support improvements in product delist processes
- Sustainability & Compliance
- Partner with the Sustainability team to align costings with ESG policies and regulations
- Support accurate costing aligned to Environmental, Social, and Governance requirements
- Contribute to sustainable product design aligned with evolving business practices
- Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead and develop a Finance Analyst, providing coaching and support
- Foster strong relationships across Finance and wider business functions
- Support knowledge‑sharing and improve understanding of costing data across teams
- Ensure effective cross‑functional coverage during peak periods and holidays
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) or qualified by experience
- Strong experience in product costing within a food manufacturing environment
- Commercially minded with strong business partnering skills
- High attention to detail with a proactive, change‑driven mindset
- Strong Excel and data analysis capabilities
- Experience working with accounting and multiple system platforms
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
Desirable
- Experience in a multi‑channel retail or trading business
- Advanced systems and data capability
- Knowledge or interest in sustainability / ESG (qualification desirable but not essential)
Location & Working Arrangement
Hybrid working: onsite three days a week at Hadley Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The onsite location is 5 minutes off the A141 and 1.3 miles from Huntingdon train station.
Finance Manager - Product Costings employer: Hotel Chocolat
Contact Detail:
Hotel Chocolat Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager - Product Costings
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the finance and product costing sectors, especially those at Hotel Chocolat. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience in product costing and financial analysis. This will give you an edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss sustainability! Since this role involves partnering with the Sustainability team, brush up on ESG policies and how they relate to product costing. It shows you're aligned with their values.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Hotel Chocolat family.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager - Product Costings
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Finance Manager role. Highlight your product costing experience and any relevant achievements in a food manufacturing environment to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience with cross-functional collaboration and sustainability.
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, make sure to showcase your strong Excel skills and any relevant projects where you've used data to drive decisions. We love seeing how you can turn numbers into insights!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we can’t wait to see your application come through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hotel Chocolat
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in product costing. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data analysis to drive decisions in previous roles. Show them you can turn numbers into actionable insights!
✨Understand the Brand
Hotel Chocolat prides itself on its premium brand positioning. Familiarise yourself with their products and values. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure that costings align with their brand ethos and contribute to sustainable practices.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role involves working closely with various teams. Think of examples where you've successfully partnered with cross-functional teams, especially in product development or procurement. Highlight your communication skills and how you foster strong relationships to achieve common goals.
✨Showcase Your Process Improvement Skills
They’re looking for someone who can lead improvements in costing systems. Prepare to share specific instances where you've identified inefficiencies and implemented changes. Discuss any tools or methodologies you've used to enhance workflows and data integrity.