Finance Manager Manufacturing Derby £60-£70k bonus benefits Join a leading force in precision manufacturing — where engineering excellence meets innovation and performance. This organisation delivers mission-critical components and systems that support global industries. Operating at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, our client is looking to recruit a Finance Manager to play a pivotal role in driving financial insight, control, and performance improvement across its Derby operations. The Opportunity As Finance Manager, you’ll act as a trusted business partner to both finance and operational leadership, bringing clarity to complex data and shaping strategic decision-making. You’ll take ownership of plant-level reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis — ensuring accuracy, accountability, and value creation in every area of the business. This is a hands-on role embedded in the operational heartbeat of the site, influencing everything from cost management and stock control to ERP improvement and performance KPIs. Key Responsibilities Monthly & Quarterly Reporting * Deliver accurate and timely month-end reporting to Gross Margin in collaboration with the Financial Controller. * Provide detailed margin analysis by customer and product. * Measure and report on Purchase Price Variance (PPV) and standard cost reviews. * Conduct detailed monthly variance analysis, identifying trends and opportunities to enhance profitability and efficiency. * Develop and report Operational & Financial KPIs to support effective decision-making. * Review stock and warranty provisions in conjunction with Operations. * Report key variances against Budget and Prior Year to both Group and site Leadership teams. Budgeting & Forecasting * Lead financial budgeting, forecasting, and planning for operations. * Partner with Operations, Sales, and Procurement to agree key forecast inputs. * Manage updates to Standard Costs, including the annual standard cost roll. * Prepare and consolidate budgets and forecasts to Gross Margin level. * Produce weekly flash reports for Group Finance. Operational & Strategic Support * Analyse plant operations and costs to establish accurate standard cost rates. * Regularly review standard costs and overhead absorption based on production volumes. * Provide decision support and financial insight to drive operational performance improvements. * Deliver investment analysis to support capital and operational decision-making. * Drive ERP system enhancements to improve data integrity and reporting efficiency. * Partner with plant management and cross-functional teams to identify financial and operational improvement opportunities. Stock & Cost Control * Maintain financial control of all aspects of stock, including provisioning and average costings. * Participate in key initiatives such as the Stock Reduction Project. * Lead and participate in stock counts and ensure accuracy of stock reporting. About You We’re looking for a proactive and commercially minded finance professional who thrives in a manufacturing or operational environment. You’ll be naturally curious, analytical, and confident working across departments to translate financial insights into real-world improvements. You will ideally have: * A recognised accounting qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent). * Experience in a manufacturing or plant finance role. * Solid understanding of standard costing * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. * Hands-on experience with ERP systems and a passion for process improvement. Why Join * Be part of a globally respected organisation with deep engineering heritage and a bold growth agenda. * Work in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where your insights will shape operational success. * Enjoy opportunities for professional growth and development across an expanding network