Operations Finance Manager

Operations Finance Manager

Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
IPL

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead finance operations for two sites, managing budgets and forecasts.
  • Company: Join IPL, a dynamic team in the manufacturing sector.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of annual leave, discounts, and health support.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and travel.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in commercial finance required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Manager - Finance Manufacturing to become a vital part of our onsite Finance Team at IPL. If you are passionate and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, this role is perfect for you!

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Location: IPL Normanton, minimum 3 days per week in the office, (including 1 day per week in Telford)

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract ending May 2027

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • To be the finance lead for 2 operational sites – Normanton & Telford, with 2 direct reports (1 in Normanton, 1 in Telford).
  • Being a site SLT member of both locations.
  • Business partnering the Normanton & Telford site General Manager, the Nuts & Dried Fruit Buying Manager and their teams.
  • Production of timely and accurate weekly and monthly accounts and forecasts.
  • Control of the annual budgeting, and weekly forecasting process for Normanton & Telford operations & the Nuts & Dried Fruit procurement business unit.
  • Weekly production & presentation of management information to key stakeholders.
  • Ownership and measurement of operational standard costing, including the various system interfaces and product cost models which the standards feed into.
  • Capex – identify any capex opportunities including calculation/verification of any associated benefits and the payback period.
  • To control spend throughout the capex and assist the sites to complete post capex reviews.
  • Control and challenge operational overhead spend to identify opportunities for savings and risks to prevent overspends.
  • Inventory management – packaging, raw material, finished goods & goods in transit.
  • Supporting a business unit with high inventory value relative to COGS.

What are we looking for?

  • Strong analytical mindset and variance analysis skills
  • Strong Excel skills required
  • Prophet / D365 / Anaplan / Power BI skills desirable
  • Ability to influence at a senior level
  • Operational knowledge desirable
  • Commercial finance experience
  • Inventory management & forecasting experience
  • Business partnering experience
  • Team leadership
  • Fresh Produce experience desirable
  • CIMA (or equivalent) Qualified / qualified by practical experience
  • Willingness to travel to Telford once per week (travel costs covered by IPL)
  • Due to the nature of operations at Telford, individuals must be able to work in an environment where nut allergens will be present

What's in it for you?

  • 15% Asda In-Store Discount
  • Paid Annual Leave Allowance – 33 days per annum
  • Enhanced pension scheme
  • Life Assurance - All our colleagues benefit from life assurance of 4 times their annual base salary
  • Help@hand - Free, direct access to health and wellbeing support service, including unlimited video consultations with a UK-based GP 24/7, physiotherapy, and mental health support
  • Grocery Aid - We’ve partnered with Grocery Aid to provide our colleagues and their families with a wide range of emotional, practical, and financial support services
  • Electric Vehicle Scheme
  • Asda Mobile Discount - 30% off a wide range of Asda Mobile bundles and add-ons for our colleagues and one of their family members
  • Discounted health assessments - We have exclusively negotiated rates on Self-Pay BUPA Health Assessments for you and members of your household
  • Asda Pet Insurance discount – Up to 10% discount
  • Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) - MAB can provide fee-free, no-obligation mortgage and protection advice
  • Exclusive Exchange Rates via Asda Money - our colleagues can get a better exchange rate for their travel money when buying currency through Asda Travel Money (TravelEx)
  • Ride-to-work scheme - We work with Evans to provide our colleagues with great savings across their range of bikes, clothing, and equipment
  • Care Concierge - The Care Experts Talk to us - we're listening - Legal & General’s Care Concierge resource
  • Plus, lots more!

Depending on job band, other fantastic benefits are also available including private healthcare, car allowances, and long-term incentive schemes.

Equal Opportunities: We are committed to a fully inclusive business that is representative of our customers, locations and the communities we serve. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of sex, age, race, religion, gender or sexual identity and socio-economic background.

Operations Finance Manager employer: IPL

At IPL, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our Normanton location provides employees with a supportive environment, competitive benefits such as a generous annual leave allowance, and opportunities for professional growth through business partnering and leadership roles. With a commitment to inclusivity and employee well-being, IPL is dedicated to ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered in their career journey.

IPL

Contact Details:

IPL Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Operations Finance Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and operations sectors. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the hiring process.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research IPL and understand their operations at Normanton and Telford. Tailor your answers to show how your skills in financial management and business partnering can directly benefit their teams.

Tip Number 3

Show off your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. This will demonstrate your strong analytical mindset and variance analysis skills, which are key for this position.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the IPL team.

We think you need these skills to ace Operations Finance Manager

Analytical Skills
Variance Analysis
Excel Skills
Prophet
D365
Anaplan
Power BI

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Finance Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in finance and operations, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and team leadership experience!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for the role and how your background aligns with the responsibilities listed. Be sure to mention your experience with budgeting and forecasting, as these are key aspects of the job.

Showcase Your Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your Excel and financial analysis skills. If you have experience with Prophet, D365, or Power BI, make sure to mention it! These tools are desirable for this position, so let us know how you’ve used them in the past.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to submit all your documents in one go. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!

How to prepare for a job interview at IPL

Know Your Numbers

As an Operations Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your strong analytical skills. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence decisions in previous roles. Prepare examples of variance analysis you've conducted and how it impacted operational efficiency.

Excel Like a Pro

Strong Excel skills are a must for this role. Make sure you're comfortable with advanced functions, pivot tables, and data visualisation techniques. Consider preparing a small project or case study that showcases your Excel prowess, as you might be asked to demonstrate your skills during the interview.

Business Partnering Experience

This position requires effective business partnering with senior stakeholders. Think of specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with other departments, particularly in finance and operations. Be ready to discuss how you influenced outcomes and built relationships with key players.

Capex Knowledge is Key

Understanding capital expenditure is crucial for this role. Familiarise yourself with how to identify capex opportunities and calculate associated benefits. Prepare to discuss any past experiences where you managed capex projects, including how you controlled spend and conducted post-capex reviews.