Senior Cost Controller

We are looking for a Cost Controller on a contract basis to join a leading company in Ipswich. You will play a vital role in protecting financial integrity, take ownership of project financial governance, monthly cost accounting, budget forecasting, and subcontract expenditure across high-volume works.

Core Responsibilities

• Month-End Cost Accounting: Oversee package cost closing, balance and reallocate expenses from centralised production facilities and plant depots, and calculate precise manual liabilities/accruals for subcontractors and critical suppliers.
• Commercial Cost Control & Budgeting: Monitor baseline project budgets against forecast outturn quantities; coordinate approved budget variations and maintain strict ledger accuracy across complex package codes.
• Operational Variance Analysis: Partner with operational, production, and site-based commercial leads to deliver monthly variance analysis across labour productivity, material yield ratios, equipment costs, and indirect expenditure.
• Forecasting & Planning: Develop and maintain rolling quarterly and annual cost and quantity projections; track month-on-month production run rates to identify risks and commercial efficiencies early.
• Supply Chain Financial Controls: Ensure full compliance across purchase orders, GRNs, and subcontractor valuations, actively supporting the commercial resolution of critical supplier accounts.

What We Are Looking For

• Sector Background: Proven track record in project cost control, site management accounting, or commercial cost engineering within civil engineering, earthworks, heavy construction, or major capital schemes.
• ERP & Systems Acumen: Strong proficiency with mainstream ERP systems (SAP experience is advantageous) alongside advanced Microsoft Excel modelling skills.
• Stakeholder Influence: Excellent communication skills with the credibility to challenge, advise, and collaborate across production, commercial, and executive finance teams.
• Governance Focus: Solid grounding in subcontractor accruals, purchase ledger compliance, audit trails, and strict deadline-driven reporting cycles.

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Randstad Financial & Professional encourage applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Randstad Financial & Professional acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003