At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with manufacturing leaders to drive performance and turn data into actionable insights.
- Company: Join a transformative manufacturing business where finance plays a central role.
- Benefits: Excellent salary, bonus, private healthcare, and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for meaningful impact and career growth.
- Why this job: Be embedded in operations, influencing decisions and shaping performance in real-time.
- Qualifications: Recognised accounting qualification and experience in finance partnering within manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Preston, ideally onsite
Excellent salary, bonus, private healthcare, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
This is not your typical Finance Business Partner role. This is a seat at the table where decisions are made, performance is shaped, and transformation happens in real time. We’re looking for a commercially driven Finance Business Partner to become a true partner to our manufacturing operation - working side-by-side with Manufacturing Value Stream Leaders and operational teams to drive performance, unlock opportunities, and turn data into action. As the business is embedding World Class Manufacturing (WCM), finance is stepping firmly onto the shop floor. This role is right at the heart of that journey.
The Opportunity
You’ll act as the financial co-pilot to manufacturing leaders, helping steer performance across value streams by connecting operational activity with financial outcomes. From productivity and waste reduction to cost optimisation and efficiency, you’ll translate what’s happening on the ground into clear, actionable insight - and help shape what happens next. This is a role for someone who wants to move beyond reporting and into real influence.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Partnering Value Stream Leaders to drive performance, challenge assumptions, and support decision-making at source
- Translating operational activity into financial insight, linking shop-floor performance to P&L outcomes
- Supporting the rollout of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) by embedding financial thinking into continuous improvement initiatives
- Identifying opportunities across productivity, cost, and efficiency - and helping turn them into measurable results
- Leading financial planning activities including budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking
- Strengthening financial control while keeping pace with a fast-evolving manufacturing environment
- Providing clear, impactful analysis that supports both operational and strategic decisions
- Building strong relationships across manufacturing, operations, and senior leadership teams
- Supporting investment decisions, business cases, and improvement initiatives with robust financial insight
- Continuously improving reporting, processes, and the way finance supports the wider business
Why This Role Stands Out
This is a business in transformation - and finance is central to that story. You won’t be sat on the sidelines. You’ll be embedded within the operation, influencing outcomes, shaping performance, and helping leaders make better, faster decisions. If you enjoy working where the action is - not just reporting on it - this role will suit you perfectly.
What We’re Looking For
- You’re more than technically strong - you’re commercially curious, operationally engaged, and confident challenging the status quo.
- You know how to turn numbers into narratives, and insight into action.
- You’ll likely bring:
- A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Proven experience in a Finance Business Partnering or commercial finance role
- Experience supporting manufacturing or operational environments
- Strong understanding of how financial performance connects to operational drivers
- Exposure to World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Lean, Continuous Improvement or similar frameworks
- The ability to influence, challenge and build credibility with senior stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset
- Confidence communicating financial information to non-finance audiences
- Experience with tools such as Excel, ERP systems, and Power BI
The Kind of Person Who Thrives Here
- You enjoy being close to the operation, not removed from it
- You ask "why?" as often as "what?"
- You’re comfortable challenging thinking and offering new perspectives
- You build relationships quickly and naturally
- You see finance as a driver of performance, not just a reporter of it
If you’re looking for a role where you can genuinely influence a manufacturing business, partner with leaders on the ground, and be part of a meaningful transformation - this is it.
Finance Business Partner employer: Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd
Join a global leader in industrial maintenance at our Yeovil aerospace site, where you will thrive in a high-performance environment that values your mechanical expertise. Enjoy a supportive work culture with structured training and career progression opportunities, alongside competitive benefits such as a generous salary, early finishes on Fridays, and a matched pension scheme. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on Maintenance Engineer to contribute to continuous improvement in a dynamic manufacturing setting while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
Contact Details:
Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their values, culture, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their transformation journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising how to articulate your experience in finance business partnering. Use real examples that demonstrate your ability to influence decisions and drive performance – this is what they want to hear!
✨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 take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in manufacturing environments and how you've turned financial insights into actionable outcomes. We want to see how you can influence performance!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've partnered with operational teams and driven transformation in previous roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:This role is all about turning numbers into narratives. Make sure to highlight your analytical skills and any tools you've used, like Excel or Power BI, to provide impactful insights. We want to know how you can help shape decisions on the shop floor!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to turn numbers into narratives. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to manufacturing and be ready to discuss how they connect to operational performance. This will show that you understand the business and can provide actionable insights.
✨Understand the Manufacturing Environment
Familiarise yourself with World Class Manufacturing (WCM) principles and how they apply to finance. Be prepared to discuss how you can embed financial thinking into continuous improvement initiatives. Showing that you’re not just a finance expert but also engaged with the operational side will set you apart.
✨Build Relationships
This role is all about partnership, so think about how you can build rapport with Value Stream Leaders and operational teams. During the interview, share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with non-financial stakeholders in the past. This will highlight your ability to influence and challenge effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve real-world problems or scenarios related to finance and manufacturing. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and proactive mindset, which are crucial for driving performance in this role.
