Operational Analyst in Glasgow, Scotland

Our client Scottish Power Renewables are seeking an Operational Analyst for an initial 12 month contract role based at Whitelee Wind Farm but working on a hybrid basis.

Job Purpose Statement

With massive expansion in the O&M Onshore pipeline you will assist the relevant day to day Commercial Financial processes required to maintain O&M Onshore Commercial Services Team and wider Onshore O&M team. Be a key individual assisting in the development and implementation of financial models, systems and processes, across the multiple ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) O&M functions, to ensure the consistent, effective and compliant management of all areas of department financial responsibility for all aspects of CAPEX and OPEX budget management, (Circa £38M CAPEX and £55M OPEX).

In addition, develop relationships with the necessary internal and external stakeholder interfaces to ensure compliant and optimised fiscal management of O&M activities, and engage with IBR Global business counterparts to ensure successful development and implementation of financial practices. Assist the O&M Onshore Commercial Services Finance, Management Team in managing an annual SPR Operations budgets and 3rd party framework agreement valued in excess of £90M per annum.

This is a key role to help deliver supply chain strategies that support operational performance growth targets of 2GW of additional installed Wind and New Technology (BESS & PV) Power by the end of 2025 and a further 3GW by the end of 2030. Support the delivery of OPEX & CAPEX projects across all Solar/ BESS/ Wind sites.

Manage key deliverables including the prompt creation of purchase orders, month-end accruals and reporting and developing productive working relationships with all stakeholders, in the wider SPR Operations team, to UK and Spanish Control teams and Procurement teams to provide high levels of service to the Operation of all Wind/ Solar/ BESS sites. Provide SAP and invoicing support to the field operations team in relation to commercial purchasing. Support all Control and budgeting functions to enable accurate financial reporting & spend for both CAPEX & OPEX budgets.

Accountability Statement

Support the growing O&M Onshore Commercial Services team to ensure successful delivery of Wind, Solar and battery financial support activities across O&M Onshore Commercial & Supply Chain Operations (SPR). Raising all approved CAPEX works on the PO request tracker - Ensuring the SPRIC Approval procedures are always followed. And encompassing Master Data Request, matching with any previous projects and running the WBS through ZKI90 for cumulative value. Work with the Commercial Services Contract team for pricing and framework issues.

Any older WBS - this could be additional or continuous works from the previous year, work with UK Control to remove the TECO and move budget. Raising all OPEX approved works on the PO request tracker - this includes HV switching and car hire and requesting availability transfers, where necessary, with stopped wind turbines (T-STOPS) taking priority. Support line manager in Capex audit procedure and the implement of processes and procedures, as we look to achieve ISO 55001 9001 certification.

Support consistent management of financial obligations across all areas of the O&M Onshore Commercial & Supply Chain Operations (SPR) Department activities encompassing all UK Onshore Sites and all Operational personnel. Maintain capex adjustment log for control balance sheet using transaction CJ31. Run OPEX and CAPEX Commitments report monthly to identify current open Purchase Orders. Arrange and lead monthly Commitments Review meeting with Senior Area Managers and their teams to determine status of each and take appropriate action if this hasn’t been done, collate results.

Identify and roll out any training needed to reduce instances of incorrectly managed POs, with a view to reducing commitments and free up budget availability. Interface with the SPR Control and Investment teams to ensure that reporting, forecasting and audit requirements are met. Attend Month end Capex Spending Review meeting, (triggered by UK Control), follow up with all requesters regarding capex project progression and take action as appropriate. Provide feedback via a spreadsheet tracker and be main representative for O&M Onshore Team on the monthly call with key stakeholders.

Validate and receipt all SAP workflows in a prompt manner. Manage the O&M Onshore Service and Maintenance Contract fee process for all Wind and New Technology (BESS & PV) circa £34M PA. Ensure all month-end receipts are processed to ensure month-end budget forecasts are met. Raise all annual Service & Maintenance Contract POs as specified by manager (in conjunction with the Commercial Services (Contract Team), to ensure all S&M Purchase Orders are calculated accurately. Receipting the 70/30 split on all monthly S&M fees and update the S&M Contract tracker.

Make line manager aware of any POs with 2 months or less fees remaining to ensure adequate funds are in place to allow a new PO to be created ensuring prompt payment of fees. Manage SPR Commercial Finance team mailbox daily ensuring all internal emails received and actioned in a timely manner. Ensuring all additional funding requests are added to the PO Request tracker to be actioned ASAP. Provide invoicing / SAP training advise to wider O&M Onshore team upon request.

Assist operational cost modelling development and standardise for feed into SPR investment Committee investment models for development projects, ensuring a direct link between existing operational project budgets and cost model assumptions. Provide dynamic financial process support and guidance across O&M Onshore Operations Site Based teams to maximise accuracy and consistency of financial reports and forecasts. Support lead interface between O&M Onshore and Iberdrola Control Function in Global Annual Benchmarking Project. Collating Annual BMK Portfolio and Personnel Cost Analysis within given timescales and ensuring validation by UK Control Team as well as sign off by SPR Onshore Director prior to submission of project pack.

When required provide bespoke financial analysis of Operational (OPEX and Capex) budget data as requested by the UK Onshore Senior Management team.

Dimensions

Produce high quality reports and presentation material to be delivered across all organisational levels (including senior management levels). Develop, review, and track an OPEX budget of c£60m and a Capex Budget of c£30m. Responsible for supporting the economic analysis and evaluation of complex operational and capital cost projects. Provide technical expertise and guidance in best practice financial management. Support development, and implementation of management system Procedures, Processes and Management Instructions.

Complete month-end aged GRN Review, triggered by control, follow up with all requesters and take action as appropriate. Provide day to day commercial expertise and advice across SPR in relation to the budget and commercial process and work to build and improve the knowledge of the service and maintenance field-based teams. Provide dynamic financial process support and guidance across O&M Onshore Operations Departments to maximise accuracy and consistency of financial reports and forecasts.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Computer literate with excellent working knowledge of Microsoft office applications and SAP.
• Thorough working knowledge of the Financial elements of the SAP system (including all aspects of financial reporting).
• Ability to adapt quickly to a rapidly changing working environment and demonstrate a positive approach to change.
• Possess a solid understanding of the economic and operational processes associated with the operation and maintenance of Onshore O&M assets (ideally Renewable Asset experience).
• Strong understanding of financial management processes.
• Strong people skills with the ability to form effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across different organisational levels.
• High degree of self motivation with a flexible approach to work.
• Ability to negotiate with multiple stakeholders to achieve goals.
• Leading and interpreting complex analytical data.
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision.
• General commercial awareness.

Minimum Criteria

• Full UK driving license.
• Experience of SAP System, including both commercial and reporting functionality.
• Experience of working with and building productive working relationships with internal stakeholders and external contractors.
• Excellent time management skills, and ability to work to tight deadlines.