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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse costs and provide insights to improve performance and profitability.
- Company: Join a global leader in high-performance abrasive solutions.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, ongoing development, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Influence real business decisions and drive improvements in a dynamic role.
- Qualifications: Studying towards CIMA, ACCA, or ACA with cost accounting experience.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Staverton, Gloucester (minimum 2 days onsite)
Saint-Gobain Abrasives is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of high-performance abrasive solutions. Part of the wider Saint-Gobain Group, we operate in over 70 countries and are known for innovation, sustainability, and excellence in manufacturing.
As a Cost Accountant, you'll play a critical role in helping us understand the true cost of manufacturing and identifying opportunities to improve performance and profitability across the business. This is a highly visible role where you'll partner closely with operational and commercial teams, influencing decision-making through insightful analysis.
What You'll Be Doing
- Own and maintain standard costing for manufactured products, ensuring accuracy and consistency
- Analyse material, labour, overheads, and variances to uncover trends, risks, and opportunities
- Provide clear, actionable insights to support operational and commercial decision-making
- Partner closely with production, supply chain, and commercial teams to understand cost drivers on the ground
- Review and challenge financial performance, recommending improvements to margins and efficiency
- Support budgeting and forecasting processes, including inventory and cost analysis
- Deliver accurate and timely financial and cost reporting to senior stakeholders
- Translate complex financial data into meaningful insights - answering the "so what?"
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, including ERP and process optimisation
- Support and guide colleagues across finance, fostering collaboration and best practice
What We're Looking For
- Qualified (or studying towards) CIMA, ACCA, or ACA
- Experience working in multi-site environments (Nordic countries will be ideal)
- Experience in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment
- Strong understanding of standard costing and variance analysis
- Experience of Cost Rollup
- A proactive problem-solver who looks beyond the numbers to drive improvements
- A confident business partner, comfortable working cross-functionally
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a global organisation with a strong local presence
- Work in a collaborative and supportive team environment
- Opportunity to influence real business decisions
- Hybrid working model (minimum 2 days onsite in Staverton, Gloucester)
- Ongoing development and career progression opportunities
About us
Are Saint-Gobain Abrasives inclusive employers? We understand that a diverse workplace is not only a more enjoyable place to be, but also facilitates better decision making and innovation. So, whoever you are, and whichever Saint-Gobain business you join, you can be sure of a warm welcome with us.
And what about flexibility?
At Saint-Gobain, we're always open to new ways of working. Everyone has different needs and commitments. We'll happily discuss any need you might have for this role. Whilst we can't promise to meet every request when we're recruiting, we do promise to listen.
If you match our criteria, we will be in touch to discuss your experience and more about you as a person, we look forward to hearing from you.
Cost Accountant (Northern Europe) in Stafford employer: Norton
Contact Detail:
Norton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cost Accountant (Northern Europe) in Stafford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Saint-Gobain Abrasives on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Dive deep into the company’s values and recent projects. Being able to discuss how your skills in cost accounting can help them improve profitability will definitely impress.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your analytical skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. This is key for a Cost Accountant, so make sure you highlight those experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Saint-Gobain Abrasives.
We think you need these skills to ace Cost Accountant (Northern Europe) in Stafford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Cost Accountant role. Highlight your experience in cost accounting, especially in manufacturing, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like CIMA or ACCA.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Be sure to mention your experience with standard costing and variance analysis.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of analysis, make sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. We want to see how you can translate complex financial data into actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Norton
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Cost Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of standard costing and variance analysis. Brush up on these concepts before the interview, and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. This will show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've analysed costs and identified opportunities for improvement. Think about times when your insights influenced decision-making. This will highlight your ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights.
✨Understand the Business
Research Saint-Gobain Abrasives and its operations in Northern Europe. Familiarise yourself with their products and market position. Being able to discuss how your role as a Cost Accountant can impact their profitability will impress the interviewers.
✨Be a Team Player
Since this role involves partnering with various teams, be prepared to talk about your experience working cross-functionally. Share examples of how you've collaborated with production, supply chain, or commercial teams to drive improvements. This will demonstrate your ability to foster collaboration and best practices.