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- Tasks: Analyse costs and drive decisions to improve efficiency and profitability in manufacturing.
- Company: Join Saint-Gobain, a leader in sustainable construction and innovative materials.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a finance partner shaping the future of construction with impactful insights.
- Qualifications: CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualified with manufacturing experience and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.
At Saint-Gobain, we’re shaping the future of construction - creating materials, systems and solutions that make buildings more sustainable, more efficient, and built for the needs of tomorrow. As a global leader in light and sustainable construction, we succeed when we understand our costs deeply, challenge assumptions, and use financial insight to drive better decision‑making.
We are looking for an experienced Cost Accountant with a manufacturing background - someone who understands how products are made, where value is created, and how variances, standards, and cost drivers influence performance on the shop floor. This is an opportunity to be a true finance partner - working closely with operational teams, analysing cost and performance data, and shaping decisions that directly influence efficiency, profitability, and future growth. The role is full‑time based in one of our manufacturing sites in the South Midlands / South West region.
What you’ll do
- Establishing and maintaining standard costs for manufactured products and services.
- Updating costs based on material, labour, overheads, depreciation and operational changes.
- Analysing fixed and variable costs, identifying trends, risks and opportunities.
- Recommending changes to improve cash flow, margins and operational efficiency.
- Preparing monthly or quarterly reports for senior leadership, including inventory reserve analysis.
- Submitting accurate financial and cost accounting reports on time, every time.
- Translating data into meaningful insight for operations – explaining the ‘so what?’
- Working closely with production, supply chain and site teams to understand on‑the‑ground cost drivers.
- Supporting process improvement, digitalisation and ERP optimisation.
- Guiding and supporting finance colleagues, answering queries and coordinating workflow where needed.
What we’re looking for
- You’ll be an experienced cost‑focused finance professional - CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualified (or equivalent) - with hands‑on manufacturing exposure and a strong grasp of standard costing, variance analysis and product margin drivers.
- You can move comfortably between the numbers and the shop floor, influencing non‑finance colleagues and turning complex data into practical decisions that improve performance.
- We’re looking for someone who is:
- A proactive problem solver who goes beyond reporting to identify improvements.
- A strong business partner, comfortable working with operational teams across multiple sites.
- Curious and analytical, with the drive to optimise systems and processes.
- SAP knowledge is an advantage.
- A clear communicator who can explain financial insight in a practical, engaging way.
- A thought leader who supports a transparent, accountable, and supportive team culture.
- Experience in a multi‑site or manufacturing environment (including FMCG or other complex industries) would be an advantage.
And what about flexibility?
The world of work is changing. 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: flexible hours, job‑sharing, part‑time working, or anything else that matters to you. We can’t promise to meet every request when we’re recruiting. But 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 in Hounslow employer: Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland
Contact Detail:
Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cost Accountant in Hounslow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the manufacturing and finance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by diving deep into the company’s values and recent projects. At Saint-Gobain, they’re all about sustainability and efficiency, so think about how your skills can contribute to their mission. Tailor your responses to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the company culture too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your experience with cost management and how you’ve driven improvements in past roles. This will help you feel more confident and articulate during the real deal.
✨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. Keep an eye on their careers page for new opportunities and updates!
We think you need these skills to ace Cost Accountant in Hounslow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Cost Accountant role. Highlight your manufacturing experience and any relevant qualifications like CIMA or ACCA. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about cost accounting and how you can contribute to our mission at Saint-Gobain. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, don’t forget to mention specific examples of how you’ve used your analytical skills in past roles. We’re keen on candidates who can turn complex data into actionable insights, so let us know how you’ve done this before!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Cost Accountant, you’ll need to demonstrate your understanding of cost structures and variances. Brush up on your knowledge of standard costing and be ready to discuss how you’ve applied this in previous roles. Prepare examples that showcase your analytical skills and how they’ve led to improved decision-making.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with Saint-Gobain’s operations and the manufacturing processes involved. Research their products and think about how costs are influenced at each stage. This will help you speak confidently about how you can add value as a finance partner and support operational teams.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to explain complex financial insights in a way that non-finance colleagues can understand. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Use real-world examples to illustrate your points, showing how your insights have driven improvements in past roles.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific challenges you’ve faced in previous positions and how you approached them. Highlight your proactive nature and give examples of how you’ve identified opportunities for improvement in cost management or operational efficiency. This will demonstrate your fit for the role and your ability to contribute positively to the team.
