Senior Finance Manager – Manufacturing & Operations

About The RoleWe are seeking an experienced Senior Finance Manager – Manufacturing & Operations to join a large, international manufacturing organisation.This is a senior finance leadership position supporting a complex, multi-site operational environment. Acting as a strategic business partner to operational leadership, you will help drive financial performance, provide high-quality insights and support key business decisions across manufacturing and supply chain operations.The role combines strategic finance, operational controlling, financial planning and analysis, and business partnering, with responsibility for translating operational performance into clear financial insights and actionable recommendations.You will also lead and develop an international finance team while working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation.Key ResponsibilitiesFinance Business PartneringAct as a senior finance partner to Operations and Manufacturing leadership Provide financial insight and challenge to support strategic and operational decision-making Translate complex operational and financial data into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders Identify financial risks, opportunities and performance improvement actions Support leadership in balancing growth, profitability, investment and operational priorities Financial Planning & PerformanceLead budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning activities for manufacturing operations Consolidate and analyse financial performance across multiple sites and operational functions Monitor key financial and operational KPIs and investigate performance variances Lead regular financial and operational performance reviews Develop meaningful management reporting and performance analysis to support decision-making Manufacturing & Operations FinanceProvide financial leadership across manufacturing and supply chain operations Support manufacturing sites with cost management, standard costing, inventory analysis and operational performance reporting Analyse manufacturing costs, productivity, utilisation, efficiency and profitability Partner with operational teams to identify opportunities for cost optimisation and performance improvement Support initiatives aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency and overall financial performance Strategic Projects & InvestmentProvide financial leadership and analysis for strategic operational initiatives, including:Manufacturing footprint and network optimisation Capacity planning Capital investment programmes Automation and technology investments Operational transformation Productivity and efficiency programmes Cost reduction initiatives Develop robust business cases, financial models and investment evaluations to support CAPEX and other strategic decisions.Track investment performance and provide financial oversight throughout project implementation.Leadership & Team DevelopmentLead, coach and develop a geographically dispersed finance team Build strong finance capabilities across the organisation Establish clear priorities, accountability and performance expectations Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing and continuous development Create an environment that encourages strong business partnering and commercial thinking Governance & Financial ControlEnsure appropriate financial controls and governance across the areas of responsibility Support compliance with applicable accounting standards and internal financial policies Partner with relevant teams during internal and external audits Ensure accuracy, consistency and transparency of financial reporting Identify opportunities to strengthen financial processes and controls Continuous ImprovementDrive continuous improvement across finance processes, reporting and analytics Identify opportunities to simplify and automate financial processes Improve the quality and accessibility of management information Promote data-driven decision-making across the operational organisation Support broader transformation and operational excellence initiatives Cross-Functional CollaborationWork Closely With Stakeholders AcrossManufacturing and Operations Supply Chain Engineering Commercial functions Procurement Finance and Controlling Senior Business Leadership Build strong relationships across functions and geographies to ensure financial considerations are effectively integrated into business decisions.About YouYou are a commercially minded finance leader with substantial experience supporting manufacturing and operational environments.You combine strong technical finance expertise with excellent business partnering capabilities and are comfortable operating with senior stakeholders in a complex, international organisation.You are equally comfortable discussing financial performance with senior leadership and working directly with operational teams to understand the underlying drivers behind cost, productivity, investment and profitability.You enjoy solving complex business challenges, developing high-performing teams and using financial insights to drive measurable operational improvement.Skills & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics or a related discipline Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent would be advantageous Approximately 10+ years of progressive experience in Finance, Controlling or a related discipline Significant experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment Strong background in Operations Finance, Manufacturing Finance, Plant Controlling or FP&A supporting operations Extensive experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and performance analysis Strong understanding of manufacturing costing, including standard costing and operational cost drivers Experience supporting multi-site and/or international manufacturing operations Proven ability to partner with senior operational stakeholders and influence business decisions Previous experience leading and developing finance professionals, ideally across multiple locations Strong experience evaluating CAPEX investments and strategic business cases Exposure to operational transformation, manufacturing optimisation or cost-improvement programmes Knowledge of IFRS and/or US GAAP and a strong understanding of financial controls Advanced Excel skills and experience working with major ERP platforms Experience with SAP would be advantageous Familiarity with business intelligence, analytics and financial reporting tools Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement or operational excellence methodologies would be beneficial Fluent English is essential Willingness to travel internationally when required Personal AttributesStrategic and commercially minded Strong business partner with the confidence to constructively challenge senior stakeholders Hands-on and comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels Highly analytical with strong problem-solving capabilities Strong leadership and people-development skills Excellent communicator with the ability to simplify complex financial information Collaborative and effective in international, matrix environments High level of integrity, ownership and accountability Proactive, resilient and results-oriented Comfortable navigating change and ambiguity Passionate about continuous improvement and operational excellence The OpportunityThis position offers the opportunity to play a significant finance leadership role within a complex international manufacturing environment.The successful candidate will influence financial and operational decision-making across multiple locations, partner with senior business leaders, develop an international finance team and contribute to strategic initiatives involving investment, productivity, cost optimisation and operational transformation.It is particularly well suited to an experienced manufacturing finance professional looking for a role that combines strategic influence with hands-on operational business partnering.Skills: finance,decision-making,financial performance,operations,investment,manufacturing,reporting,financial planning,continuous improvement,leadership