Interim Plant Financial and Cost Controller (12 Months FTC)

Interim Plant Financial and Cost Controller Northampton

12-month fixed-term contract ASAP start Predominantly on site

Up to £100,000 per annum

Ethos Talent is working exclusively with an established UK manufacturing group to appoint an Interim Plant Financial & Cost Controller for its Northampton operation. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you'll lead site finance, share responsibility for the P&L and working alongside the MD to shape direction and decisions about cost, pricing and capital investment.

This role will suit a fearless self-starter who enjoys troubleshooting and thrives in a business going through change. Your first priority will be to establish whether the costs in the ERP system reflect what's happening on the factory floor. If a product is costing more to make than planned, you'll work through the bill of materials with engineering, check usage and yield with production, then bring sales and the MD a clear recommendation. You'll have the scope to challenge long-standing practices and the responsibility to follow through and check that the fix has worked.

What you'll be driving

• Product costs the business can trust. Test bills of materials, standard costs and stock valuations against actual production. Identify what's driving variances and help sales make informed pricing decisions by product and customer.
• Stronger manufacturing controls. Trace how production data is captured, costed and reported in the ERP system. Work with engineering and operations to fix gaps at source and put processes in place that will support higher volumes.
• Reliable forecasts and clear advice. Scrutinise management accounts, budgets and forecasts. Test assumptions with the people responsible for delivery and give the MD early sight of risks to profit and cash, together with a view on where to act.
• Better use of cash and resources. Tackle excess stock and overdue debt, work with production to reduce waste and assess the financial case for site investment.
• Closer working between finance and operations. Coach a member of the finance team and work alongside production colleagues so that reviewing variances and acting on them becomes part of the plant's daily routine.

Who we're looking for

You'll be an ACMA, ACCA or ACA-qualified Plant Controller, Financial Controller or Finance Manager with at least six years' post-qualification experience in manufacturing finance and factory operations. Hands-on knowledge of standard costing, stock valuation, working capital and manufacturing ERP systems is essential. You'll be comfortable working through production costs in detail with engineers.

You'll know where to start when the brief is open and have the confidence to challenge the MD when the evidence calls for it. Just as importantly, you'll read the room, listen to the people who know the line best and earn their backing quickly. We'd like to hear about a problem you spotted for yourself, the change you led and the difference it made to cost, margin or cash.

The initial appointment is for 12 months, with the potential for a longer-term opportunity. Immediate / ASAP start required. APPLY NOW to find out more.