At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost management for a £1bn budget across 40+ sites in Europe.
- Company: Join a leading FMCG company focused on innovation and efficiency.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and opportunities for travel across Europe.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to coach talent and lead cross-functional projects.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by driving cost-saving initiatives and shaping financial strategies.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 8+ years of experience in FMCG or manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Head of Fixed Cost Management
Location
Uxbridge (5 days onsite)
Reporting to the Director of FP&A, the Head of Fixed Cost Management will own the planning, control, benchmarking and reduction of Pilgrim's Europe’s c. £1bn total fixed cost base (indirect labour, contract services, utilities, R&M, rent & lease, IT, professional fees, insurance, other overheads and depreciation & amortisation) across 40+ sites in the UK and Europe.
The Role Will
- Set and embed a cost‑aware, low‑cost mindset across the business, in line with "every penny is a prisoner" principle.
- Own and industrialise the Zero‑Based Budgeting (ZBB) framework across all fixed cost groups, building on the existing site‑level ZBB cadence and monthly Costs Dashboard.
- Identify and drive cross‑site cost‑reduction projects grounded in internal and external benchmarks, ensuring each site operates at the right cost level for its scale, mix and category.
- Own the fixed‑cost gap‑up target and the tracking of delivery against it into the P&L.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the Group‑wide Zero‑Based Budgeting (ZBB) framework and governance model.
- Own planning, forecasting and reporting for a c.£1bn fixed cost base, including depreciation and amortisation.
- Drive a cost‑conscious culture centred on the principle that "every penny is a prisoner".
- Identify, prioritise and deliver cross‑site cost reduction initiatives through internal and external benchmarking.
- Lead monthly cost reviews with senior operational and finance stakeholders.
- Develop and enhance cost dashboards and reporting through Anaplan, Qlik and other BI tools.
- Own indirect labour cost governance, recharge mechanisms and central cost controls.
- Partner with Engineering and Operations to ensure CAPEX investments deliver planned savings and financial benefits.
- Coach and develop analytical talent whilst leading cross‑functional cost improvement programmes.
Requirements
- Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with 8+ years post‑qualification experience.
- Deep FMCG / food / manufacturing background, ideally multi‑site and multi‑entity.
- Proven track record building and running a ZBB or Zero‑Overhead programme at scale (£500m+ overhead base).
- Strong benchmarking and project delivery experience, with a demonstrable savings track record.
- Advanced Excel, and fluency in Anaplan, SAP and Qlik (or equivalent BI).
- Senior stakeholder management with Exec, Engineering, Supply Chain, Opex and Site GM audiences; comfortable challenging cost owners with data.
- Willingness to travel across UK and European sites (AVZ, France, Ireland, Northern Ireland).
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Fixed Cost Management, Head of Fixed Cost Management in Uxbridge employer: Pilgrims Europe
At Pilgrim's Europe, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises food safety and quality excellence. Our team in Attleborough benefits from continuous professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and a commitment to innovation in food safety practices, making it a rewarding place to grow your career.
