Factory Controller – Global FMCG
North West England
Competitive salary + benefits
We are partnering with a major global FMCG organisation to appoint a Factory Controller into a key UK manufacturing operation.
This is a highly visible operational finance role, working closely with the Factory/Site Leadership Team and acting as the principal finance partner to the manufacturing operation.
Far more than a reporting role, the Factory Controller will be expected to understand what is happening on the factory floor, translate operational performance into financial outcomes and provide the insight and challenge needed to improve cost, efficiency, productivity and overall site performance.
The role
You will take ownership of the factory finance agenda, including:
- Acting as the key Finance Business Partner to Factory/Site Leadership
- Leading factory budgeting, forecasting and performance management
- Providing clear insight into manufacturing costs, variances and operational performance
- Understanding and challenging key cost drivers across materials, labour, waste, yield and overheads
- Supporting initiatives around productivity, cost optimisation and continuous improvement
- Providing financial evaluation and challenge around CAPEX and major site investments
- Ensuring robust financial controls, balance sheet integrity and accurate month-end reporting
- Partnering closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering and wider Finance teams
- Translating complex operational and financial information into clear recommendations and actions
The person
We are particularly interested in speaking with qualified accountants who have developed their careers within FMCG, food & beverage, consumer products or another high-volume manufacturing environment.
You are likely to have:
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification, or equivalent
- Strong factory / plant / manufacturing finance experience
- A good understanding of standard costing, manufacturing variances, inventory and operational KPIs
- Experience of budgeting, forecasting and performance management within a manufacturing environment
- Strong business partnering skills with the confidence to challenge operational stakeholders
- Exposure to CAPEX evaluation and investment appraisal
- Experience within a large, complex or multinational organisation
- Strong ERP capability; SAP experience would be advantageous
Most importantly, we are looking for someone who enjoys being close to the operation. You will be comfortable getting underneath the numbers, understanding the operational drivers behind them and working alongside manufacturing leadership to improve performance.
The opportunity
This is an opportunity to join a high-profile global consumer organisation in a role with genuine influence across the factory.
It should appeal to an ambitious Factory Controller, Plant Controller, Manufacturing Finance Manager, Supply Chain Finance Manager or Senior Finance Business Partner looking for a role combining financial control with significant operational and commercial exposure.