At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to provide financial insights and support operational excellence.
- Company: Leading manufacturing firm undergoing transformation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: 3-6 month contract with potential for extension and excellent career development.
- Why this job: Make an immediate impact on operations and strategic decisions from day one.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational finance and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Your Story Starts Here
Picture this: You're the finance professional who thrives when others might feel overwhelmed. While some see complexity in daily operations, variance analysis, and cross-functional collaboration, you see opportunity. You're the person who walks into a business, quickly understands the rhythm of operations, and becomes the trusted voice that leadership turns to when they need clarity on performance, costs, and strategic direction.
We're recruiting for a client who needs exactly that person.
The Challenge That Awaits
Our client is at a pivotal moment. They've brought in senior interim leadership to drive transformation, and they need someone who can seamlessly integrate into daily operations while providing the analytical backbone that keeps everything moving forward.
This isn't about sitting in a back office crunching numbers. This is about being the finance partner who sits in daily operations meetings, who understands the pulse of the business, and who can translate operational performance into actionable insights that drive real business decisions.
You'll be the person who:
- Becomes the go-to expert for daily performance metrics and variance analysis
- Sits alongside operations teams, speaking their language while bringing financial rigor
- Provides the real-time insights that help leadership navigate complex operational challenges
- Builds the reporting frameworks that become essential to daily decision-making
Why This Role Exists (And Why You're Perfect For It)
The reality is, permanent hires often take months to truly understand operational nuances. Our client needs someone who can arrive on Day One and immediately add value. They need an interim professional who has walked into similar environments before and knows how to quickly become indispensable.
This is where your interim expertise becomes invaluable:
- Week 1-2: While others would still be learning the basics, you're already identifying improvement opportunities and building relationships with key operational stakeholders.
- Month 1: You're not just producing reports – you're providing insights that influence daily operational decisions and strategic planning.
- Month 2-3: You've become the trusted advisor that operations managers seek out for cost analysis, performance insights, and strategic input on operational initiatives.
- Months 3-6: You're leading process improvements, mentoring permanent staff, and leaving behind systems and insights that will benefit the organisation long after your assignment ends.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
Daily Operations Partnership:
- Lead daily performance review meetings with operations teams - covering Material Price Variances, Stock movement
- Provide real-time analysis on key operational metrics and cost drivers; Stock, Bill of Materials, New Recipes
- Translate operational performance into financial insights for senior leadership
- Become the bridge between operations and finance, speaking both languages fluently
Strategic Analysis & Reporting:
- Develop and maintain critical performance dashboards and variance analysis
- Manage complex data relationships and cost structures
- Provide scenario analysis and forecasting to support operational planning
- Create reporting frameworks that drive better decision-making
Transformation Support:
- Managing the Materials Master Data
- Work directly with senior interim leadership on improvement initiatives
- Identify and implement process enhancements that deliver immediate value
- Support system optimisation and data integrity projects
The Person We're Looking For
You're not just someone with finance experience – you're someone with operational finance expertise. You understand that the best finance professionals in operational environments are those who can work collaboratively with non-finance teams while maintaining analytical rigor.
Your Background Includes:
- Proven experience in manufacturing / operational finance roles where daily performance matters
- Track record of working effectively with operations teams and senior leadership
- Experience with variance analysis, cost management, and performance reporting
- Strong systems experience with ability to quickly adapt to new environments
- Previous interim or contract experience with demonstrated ability to integrate rapidly
Your Approach:
- You ask the right questions quickly and build credibility through competence
- You can simplify complex financial concepts for operational audiences
- You're comfortable being visible and influential in daily business operations
- You deliver insights, not just reports – and you do it consistently
Why This Opportunity Matters
- Immediate Impact: From day one, your analysis and insights will directly influence operational decisions and strategic direction.
- Senior Visibility: You'll work directly with interim leadership who understand and value the contribution of skilled interim professionals.
- Professional Growth: Exposure to transformation initiatives and senior-level strategic thinking that enhances your expertise for future assignments.
- Operational Excellence: The chance to work in an environment where finance and operations truly partner to drive performance.
The Practical Details
- Duration: Initially 3-6 months with strong potential for extension based on business needs and transformation timeline
- Location: South East London with hybrid working (2-3 days office-based, flexible arrangement)
- Compensation: £40,000 - £50,000 FTC equivalent
- Start: Immediate start available for the right candidate
- Working Style: Collaborative environment with daily interaction across multiple business functions
Ready to make your mark? Let's talk.
Manufacturing Accountant in London employer: IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide
IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work culture in West Yorkshire that fosters professional growth and collaboration. With competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and a commitment to employee development, this role as a Commercial Finance Partner provides a unique opportunity to engage with senior stakeholders while enhancing your skills in a thriving environment.
Contact Details:
IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Accountant in London
✨Get Involved in Financial Networks
Join local financial associations or forums where you can connect with professionals in financial-controlling. Networking events often lead to temporary positions, as companies look for quick hires when they need extra hands.
✨Showcase Your Skills on Temporary Job Boards
Focus on platforms that specifically cater to temporary roles in finance. Sites like Reed or Totaljobs often list short-term gigs that are perfect for getting your foot in the door, and you can apply directly through our website for roles at IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide.
✨Leverage Your Uni's Career Services
If you're still in university, tap into your career services for internship or temporary job placements. They often have insider info on companies like IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide looking for temporary financial support, and they might help you polish your pitch.
✨Flexible Availability is Key
For temporary positions in financial-controlling, your availability can make a huge difference. Highlight your willingness to start immediately or work irregular hours when speaking to employers. This flexibility can land you that sought-after role!
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Accountant in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Aces:In the financial controlling game, grades and relevant certifications can make a significant difference. Be sure to highlight your academic achievements, like finance-related coursework and any professional certifications you’ve got on your CV that show you’re clued up in this area. It’s all about demonstrating that you’re not just good at numbers but also know your stuff!
Quantify Your Achievements:When applying for a temporary role in financial controlling, make sure your CV reflects any previous experience with real, measurable outcomes. Use numbers to showcase your past successes, like percentage improvements in budgeting or cost savings you’ve achieved in previous roles. This not only gives us insights into your capabilities but also tells us you're results-driven.
Personalise Your Application:We love seeing applicants who take the time to tailor their applications! In your cover letter, mention why you’re particularly interested in the temporary role with IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide and how your specific skills and experiences align with the job. Show us that you see this role as an opportunity to contribute, even if it's for a short stint!
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to highlight your availability in your application. We’re interested in knowing how soon you can start and if you’re open to working flexible hours. This shows us your eagerness to jump right in and adapt to the dynamic needs of our team at IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide.
How to prepare for a job interview at IFF Talent - Ingham Frankland Fide
✨Get Hands-On with Financial Tools
Being in financial controlling means you’ll likely be working with various software like Excel, Power BI, or even SAP. Make sure you brush up on these tools and prepare to discuss your experience using them. Being able to reference specific projects or analyses where you employed these programs will definitely give you an edge.
✨Prepare for Technical Financial Questions
Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to analyse financial statements or suggest budgetary strategies during the interview. Practising common financial concepts like variance analysis or cost control measures will not only boost your confidence but also prove your suitability for the role.
✨Show Your Flexibility and Adaptability
As this is a temporary position, the interviewers will want to see that you can hit the ground running. Be sure to highlight any previous short-term roles or projects where you successfully adapted to new environments quickly – this will showcase your readiness to tackle challenges head-on.
✨Highlight Your Commitment to Precision
In financial controlling, attention to detail is absolutely crucial. Be ready to provide examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to spot discrepancies and ensure accuracy in financial reporting. Your precision could be the factor that sets you apart in a temporary role like this one!
