At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial operations and drive cost improvements in a dynamic factory environment.
- Company: Join Nestlé, a global leader in premium beverages with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, flexible holidays, and personal development support.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while working with a passionate team in a leading factory.
- Qualifications: Part or fully qualified Accountant with strong management accounting skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
Business Area: Finance
Location: Buxton
Salary up to/from £40,000 - £45,000 depending on experience.
Some of our other fantastic benefits:
- Potential, discretionary annual bonus
- Generous pension scheme – up to 12% contribution from Nestlé
- 12 flexible days on top of 25-day holiday entitlement
- 2 paid volunteering days
- A focus on personal development and growth (study support)
This is a full-time permanent opportunity, but we are always open to discuss individual’s flexible working needs so please speak to us during the recruitment process to understand what this could look like for you.
We are currently recruiting for a talented individual to join our Finance Team as Assistant Factory Financial Controller, reporting into the Factory Financial Controller onsite in Buxton.
A bit about us:
Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages is a standalone, globally managed business within the Nestlé Group. The company serves consumers in more than 100 markets with a portfolio of more than 35 brands, including S.Pellegrino, Perrier, Acqua Panna, Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks, Maison Perrier, Buxton, Essentia, Levissima, La Vie and Nestlé Pure Life. Building on its heritage and expertise in waters, Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages is focused on growth in premium and better‑for‑you beverages, creating value for consumers, customers and stakeholders.
Water stewardship is central to the business. Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages is proud to be the only beverage company with all its bottling sites certified to the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard. Working with local communities, experts and partners around the world, the company helps protect and restore water resources while supporting long-term environmental resilience.
Your Impact:
You will be responsible for providing comprehensive financial support service both to and on behalf of the factory and the Factory Financial Controller. You’ll play a key part in providing visibility of all costing related situations associated to our factory processes through controlling variances and delivering value adding insights. You’ll do this pro-actively and in line with financial, legal requirements and our Nestlé Accounting Standards.
Other key responsibilities:
- Provide support on all CAPEX & Fixed Asset related activities including the validation of financials, management of AUC balance and monthly Fixed Assets Register accuracy
- Pro-actively challenge assumptions to drive cost improvements across the factory by playing an active part in cost saving improvement projects through identification, review and validation of proposed and actual savings.
- Provide visibility and forecasts around all our factory costs through analysis and reporting both on monthly actuals and for the dynamic forecasting process.
- Playing an active part in the month end process including raising journals, reconciliations, monthly reporting and monthly variance analysis.
- Ensure cost objectives for the factory are achieved by continuously identifying and promoting cost reduction initiatives to the Factory Controller and overall management team, providing support where needed.
- Participate and lead business planning activities through preparing and coordinating the factory ACE (Annual Cost Estimate) in conjunction with the Factory Controller. You’ll do this by developing forecasts including revisions and simulations.
- Play a key part in identifying and driving cost improvement opportunities through financial insight and internal and external benchmarking.
- Support the Factory Controller on best practice implementation in order to demonstrate robust internal controls around all assets and liabilities within the factory.
- Develop the factory’s overall understanding of financial data; including its importance whilst providing an environment for people you support to develop their financial capabilities.
- Drive, support and accelerate the factory’s NCE (Nestle Centre of Excellence) journey aligned to the UK&I overall NCE strategy.
- Be a custodian, ensuring compliance across all things financial for the factory.
- Deputising for the Factory Financial Controller as and when required.
Your Ingredients to success:
To be successful for this role you will be a part or fully qualified Accountant with, ideally a breadth of finance experience. It would be adventurous if you have had finance experience supporting manufacturing, supply chain or operations. You’ll have a strong aptitude for creatively finding solutions to problems and suggesting new ways of working to enable the factory to compete at a higher level.
Essential:
- Strong management accounting skills, including month-end close, accruals, prepayments etc.
- Experience in standard costing, analysing material, labour, overhead, usage and efficiency variances
- Experience in budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis
- Experience supporting Capex projects, including preparing financial evaluations, reviewing project benefits and ensuring appropriate accounting
- Experience using ERP systems, ideally SAP
- Proficient in Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, SUMIFs and analysis of large datasets
- Strong attention to details, financial control awareness and ability to meet tight reporting deadlines
- Strong business partnering skills, with confidence to constructively challenge and influence non-finance stakeholders including factory and operational teams
You’ll also have great communication skills that enable you to influence across all levels whilst being able to develop positive cross business relationships. The ability to be flexible when prioritising work in an environment that is often ambiguous is crucial and you’ll be results focused and curious in everything you do.
This really is a fantastic opportunity if you are looking for a role to continue developing your finance career in a factory that is truly leading the way.
What you need to know:
Advert posting date: 20/08/2026
Advert closing date: 03/09/2026
We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.
At Nestlé, inclusion and diversity fuel innovation and help people thrive. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and can provide adjustments throughout the application process.
Assistant Factory Controller - Buxton employer: Nestlé
Nestlé in the UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while having access to extensive growth opportunities in the rapidly evolving field of digital commerce. Joining Nestlé means being part of a forward-thinking team that values data-driven decision-making and empowers its members to make a meaningful impact on the business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Factory Controller - Buxton
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Nestlé. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Nestlé.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Nestlé. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Factory Controller - Buxton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Nestlé and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Nestlé how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nestlé
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Nestlé.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Nestlé's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
