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- Tasks: Partner with site leadership to drive financial performance and operational insights.
- Company: Join a leading FTSE listed business in a cutting-edge manufacturing facility.
- Benefits: Highly competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, healthcare, and generous pension.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and development in a fast-paced setting.
- Why this job: Shape financial strategies and make a real impact in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in manufacturing or supply chain finance.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
This is a predominantly site-based role and whilst some flexibility is available, it acts as a key Finance Business Partner on the Manufacturing site.
Vitae Financial Recruitment have been mandated to support this leading FTSE listed business in the search for a Senior Finance Manager (Site Finance Manager / Plant Finance Manager) to join their flagship, highly automated ‘Smart’ manufacturing facility in Ashford. This is a high-profile, site-facing role within a business undergoing significant capital investment, offering the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping operational and financial performance at a site employing over 400 staff.
Working in close partnership with the Senior Leadership Team, you will act as a true business partner to the site, providing clear financial insight to support operational and strategic decision making. This role requires a proactive, driven and autonomous individual who can seamlessly integrate into the leadership team, influence non-finance stakeholders and drive performance improvements across the facility.
The role forms part of the Supply Chain Finance structure and will oversee day-to-day financial control, reporting and forecasting cycles, while providing in-depth analysis to improve site performance. You will play a key role in ensuring robust financial governance, supporting operational initiatives and delivering meaningful insight to drive cost control, productivity and margin improvement.
This varied position spans Financial Control, Performance Reporting, Financial Planning, Costing, Investment Appraisals and Decision Support.
Key Responsibilities:- Business partner the Site Leadership Team, including the Factory General Manager and senior operational stakeholders
- Oversee site financial control including overheads, labour, volumes, stock and standard cost variances
- Deliver weekly and monthly performance reporting, forecasts and KPIs to site and divisional leadership
- Lead month-end close activities and provide clear variance analysis vs. budget and forecast
- Prepare and present site budgets and forecasts, ensuring robustness and operational ownership
- Review volume, labour and stock forecasting, highlighting risks and opportunities
- Manage product costing activities, including COGS analysis and margin impact assessments
- Provide detailed product costing analysis and support evaluation of operational initiatives
- Support capital investment decisions through cost-benefit analysis and financial modelling
- Drive cost reduction initiatives through proactive challenge and collaboration with operations
- Provide ad-hoc analysis, modelling and project support to support strategic decision making
- Ensure compliance with internal controls, policies and audit requirements
- Lead and develop on-site finance support (Management Accountant)
- Act as an integral member of the Site Leadership Team contributing to overall site performance
- Fully qualified accountant – CIMA, ACCA or ACA
- Likely background within Manufacturing / Engineering / Supply Chain or similar environment
- Strong understanding of standard costing, site finance and operational performance drivers
- Proven experience across Financial Control, Reporting, Planning and Analysis
- Demonstrable business partnering experience with senior financial and non-financial stakeholders
- Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate data into actionable insight
- Experience supporting investment appraisals and operational decision making
- Advanced Excel skills are essential and previous SAP (or similar ERP) would be highly desirable
- Self-motivated, proactive and comfortable operating in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Locations
Senior Finance Manager in Ashford, Kent employer: Vitae Financial Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Vitae Financial Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager in Ashford, Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its financial performance. Understand their challenges and think about how you can contribute as a Senior Finance Manager. Tailor your responses to show how your skills align with their needs – this will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience in financial control and business partnering clearly and confidently. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to drive performance improvements and support operational initiatives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Manager in Ashford, Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in financial control, reporting, and business partnering, especially in a manufacturing or supply chain context. 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 the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples of how you've driven performance improvements and supported operational initiatives in previous positions. Let us know how you can contribute to our site!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical capabilities, make sure to highlight any relevant experience where you've translated data into actionable insights. We love seeing how you've used your analytical skills to influence decision-making in past roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vitae Financial Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to manufacturing, such as COGS and standard costing. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive performance improvements in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Business Partnering Skills
This role requires you to work closely with the Site Leadership Team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with non-financial stakeholders in the past. Highlight specific instances where your financial insights influenced operational decisions.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in financial control or forecasting and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Prowess
You'll need strong analytical skills to translate data into actionable insights. Be prepared to discuss how you've conducted variance analysis and cost-benefit assessments in previous roles. Bring along examples of reports or analyses you've created that had a significant impact on decision-making.