At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and performance in a cutting-edge manufacturing facility.
- Company: Join a leading FTSE listed business with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, healthcare, and generous pension.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative leadership team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape operational success and drive impactful financial decisions in a high-profile role.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in manufacturing or supply chain finance.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 72000 £ per year.
Vitae Financial Recruitment have been mandated to support this leading FTSE listed business in the search for a Senior Finance Manager (Site 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
Please apply using the link or email your CV to guy.barwell@vitaefr.com
Strategic Site Finance Leader – Manufacturing in Ashford employer: Vitae Financial Recruitment
Join a leading FTSE listed business at their flagship 'Smart' manufacturing facility in Ashford, where you will be part of a dynamic and collaborative work culture that values innovation and operational excellence. With competitive benefits including a generous pension, healthcare, and opportunities for professional growth, this role offers a unique chance to influence financial performance while working closely with senior leadership. Embrace the opportunity to drive meaningful change in a high-profile environment that prioritises employee development and engagement.
Contact Details:
Vitae Financial Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Site Finance Leader – Manufacturing in Ashford
✨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 introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their recent projects and challenges, especially in the context of financial performance. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in financial control and analysis can directly impact their operations. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your value as a strategic partner.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals who can bring fresh insights to our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Site Finance Leader – Manufacturing in Ashford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in financial control and business partnering, especially in manufacturing or similar environments. 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 the Strategic Site Finance Leader role. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance improvements and supported operational decision-making in the past.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical capabilities, make sure to include examples of how you've translated data into actionable insights. We love seeing how you've used your analytical skills to influence decisions and drive cost reductions.
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 to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vitae Financial Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Strategic Site Finance Leader, 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 Senior 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 or cost-benefit analyses in previous roles. Bring along examples of reports or models you've created to showcase your expertise.
