Operational Finance Manager in Bristol

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions is part of Spirax Group, a FTSE100 and FTSE4Good multi-national industrial engineering group with expertise in the control and management of steam, electric thermal solutions, peristaltic pumping and associated fluid technologies.

Job Summary

We are seeking a talented and motivated Operational Finance Manager to join our dynamic team.

Key Responsibilities

• This is a proactive role requiring excellent communication skills to liaise with multiple stakeholder groups at all levels within the business.
• You will be responsible for the standard costing structure and all related financial activities from sales down to gross contribution.
• This role plays a key part in supporting operational decision making, driving cost efficiency and maintaining strong financial controls.
• The successful applicant will provide meaningful analysis and insight; considering the potential impact on the wider Group profitability and efficiencies.
• This role is responsible for managing the day to day activities of the cost accounting and perpetual inventory team and currently has four direct reports.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead and manage all aspects of cost accounting, including standard cost development, variance analysis, and cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Financial control and analysis of cost of sales, product margin and productivity.
• Partnering with operational teams to provide financial data to assist informed data driven decisions.
• Cross functional collaboration working across multiple levels of the organisation.
• Contributing towards business process improvement and implementation of efficiencies.
• Weekly sales forecast, stock reporting.
• Manage month‑end close activities for your area, including accruals, journals, reconciliations, and variance analysis.
• Monthly, quarterly and annual reporting requirements.
• Budgeting and Forecasting.
• Yearly review of costing structure including year end cost roll requirements.
• Oversight of credit control with Sales OpCo's, and intercompany recharges.
• Working with team members to ensure successful achievement of objectives and developing the team’s overall capabilities and expertise.
• Any other adhoc tasks as requested by Line Manager.

Who you’ll be working with

You will be working with multiple stakeholders (both Finance and non‑finance) across the business.

Skills/Experience

• Qualified accountant with management experience.
• Effective communication skills, able to simplify complex data and present actionable insights to a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent problem solving, process improvement and organisational skills.
• Good interpersonal skills with a commercial mindset and the ability to present concepts and results in a concise manner to all levels of the organisation.
• Possess excellent communication, interpersonal, stakeholder management and relationship building skills.
• Able to work independently and understand the 'what' and the 'why' behind results.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with the desire to understand the 'why' behind the numbers.
• Take a continuous improvement approach to ensure processes are streamlined and control environments are enhanced.
• Relevant experience in a manufacturing finance environment including costing, profit margins and inventory. Other relevant experience will be considered on a case by case basis if other criteria are met.
• IT proficient, strong Excel skills and experience working with Power BI would be desirable.

Benefits

• A competitive salary.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• A generous holiday allowance.
• Three days’ paid volunteering leave.
• Additional support and benefits through our Everyone is Included Group Inclusion Plan.

Inclusion & Diversity

We are passionate about creating inclusive and equitable working cultures where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential. For us, that means supportive teams and strong relationships where everyone’s contribution is valued across social and cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, genders, gender identities, abilities, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and everything else that makes us human and unique. We want everyone to be able to make their difference here, so we will always consider requests for flexible working. We have introduced a range of additional benefits through our Group Inclusion Commitments. These include:

• Gender‑neutral parental leave.
• 15 days of extra paid caregiver leave.
• Paid time off and support for anyone experiencing pregnancy loss or domestic abuse.
• Menopause‑friendly workplace principles and more.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you require accommodations during the application process, please let us know.