Finance Project Manager in Burton upon Trent
Major Recruitment North West Perms Burton upon Trent About the role
6-Month Fixed-Term Contract, with potential to extend
Location: Burton-on-Trent, with travel across additional UK manufacturing sites
The Opportunity
We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded Finance professional to support the development and implementation of a robust manufacturing cost model across a UK food manufacturing operation. This is a key project-based appointment requiring someone who has previously built, developed or significantly improved a manufacturing costing model within the food manufacturing sector. Working closely with Finance, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain and Commercial teams, you will gather and validate manufacturing cost data and translate it into a sustainable costing model that supports pricing decisions, profitability analysis and operational performance. The initial contract is expected to last approximately six months, with the potential to extend depending on project requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the design, development and implementation of a manufacturing cost model.
- Gather, cleanse, reconcile and analyse cost data from multiple systems, manufacturing sites and stakeholders.
- Develop consistent standard costing methodologies across products, production lines and manufacturing processes.
- Analyse raw material, packaging, labour, energy and manufacturing overhead costs.
- Review and validate Bills of Materials, production routings, labour assumptions and operational data.
- Identify inaccuracies, inconsistencies and gaps within existing costing information.
- Work with site Finance and Operations teams to understand manufacturing processes and cost drivers.
- Build detailed financial models and conduct scenario and sensitivity analysis.
- Assess the impact of changes in materials, labour, production volumes, efficiency and overhead recovery.
- Support pricing, margin and profitability analysis.
- Present findings, recommendations and project progress to senior finance and operational stakeholders.
- Establish processes and controls to ensure the costing model remains accurate, sustainable and fit for purpose.
- Support the implementation and embedding of the completed model across the relevant business areas.
Essential Experience
- Previous experience building or implementing a manufacturing cost model.
- Recent and demonstrable experience within food manufacturing.
- Strong knowledge of standard costing within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience analysing material, labour and manufacturing overhead costs.
- Good understanding of Bills of Materials, routings, production processes and operational cost drivers.
- Advanced financial modelling and data analysis skills.
- Strong Excel skills and experience working with significant volumes of data.
- Commercially astute, with the ability to translate complex financial information into practical recommendations.
- Confident working cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain and Commercial teams.
- Comfortable travelling between UK manufacturing sites as required.
Desirable Experience
- A recognised accounting qualification such as CIMA, ACCA or ACA.
- Experience working across several manufacturing plants.
- Experience improving costing processes, systems or ERP data.
- Previous finance transformation, project accounting or interim finance experience.
Personal Profile
The successful person will be hands-on, analytical and commercially focused. You will need to challenge existing assumptions, investigate discrepancies and build strong working relationships with both finance and non-finance stakeholders. This role requires someone who can quickly understand complex manufacturing operations and turn fragmented information into a clear, credible and sustainable costing model.
For further information, please apply asap.
Your tasks
Develop and implement a robust manufacturing cost model for a UK food operation.
Your profile
Experience in building manufacturing cost models and strong analytical skills required.
What's also included
Competitive salary, potential for contract extension, and valuable industry experience.
Tech stack & ways of working
Finance Project Manager in Burton upon Trent employer: Major Recruitment North West Perms
At Major Recruitment North West Perms, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that encourages creativity and innovation. As a Creative Marketing Content Producer, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with talented professionals while benefiting from our commitment to employee growth through training and development programmes. Located in the vibrant North West, we offer a supportive environment where your contributions are valued, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
View Major Recruitment North West Perms profile
Your perspectives
Make a real impact by optimising costing processes in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Major Recruitment North West Perms.
Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Major Recruitment North West Perms might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements
In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience
If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Major Recruitment North West Perms will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully
When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Major Recruitment North West Perms. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References
For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Major Recruitment North West Perms confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Major Recruitment North West Perms
Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Major Recruitment North West Perms.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Major Recruitment North West Perms that you’re a reliable team player.
Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
Locations
- Burton upon Trent
