Finance Business Partner – Operations/ Cost Accountant
Gilkes | Kendal | £50,000 – £55,000 + great benefits | flexible working
Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon has partnered with Turver Jones to recruit a Finance Business Partner (Operations) / Cost Accountant based in Kendal due to retirement.
Gilkes is a long-established and highly respected engineering and manufacturing business, with over 170 years of heritage and an exciting future driven by global growth in power generation markets and the need for dependable clean energy. Gilkes offers the stability of an established business alongside real long-term opportunity and a culture where people are the core of everything they do.
This is a hands-on, operational role where you'll work closely with the Operations, Engineering and Commercial teams, helping them understand performance, control costs and make more informed decisions. Reporting to the Financial Controller you will be working with a small but highly experienced team offering huge opportunity for learning and development.
The role
You'll be responsible for providing practical financial insight across the manufacturing side of the business, including:
Preparing and analysing monthly operational reporting
Analysing manufacturing variances and product margins to drive improvements
Partnering with stakeholders to analyse, review and refine standard costs
Monitoring inventory levels and slow-moving stock to optimise working capital
Supporting budgeting and forecasting processes for manufacturing
Providing financial input and challenge into Integrated Business Planning
Working closely with operational teams to understand performance drivers
Identifying risks, trends and opportunities and providing constructive challenge
This is a visible role within the business, building relationships and helping translate financial information into something meaningful for non-finance stakeholders.
What they're looking for
Qualified (CIMA / ACCA / ACA)
Experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment
Strong standard costing, management accounting and analytical skills
Exposure to ERP systems
A proactive approach and the confidence to work closely with operational teams
The opportunity
This role offers the chance to move into a genuine operational finance position where you can influence performance and see the impact of your work.
Gilkes offers flexible working that is onsite in Kendal, a supportive culture and the opportunity to be part of a well-established local business with strong growth plans.
Benefits
Salary £50,000-£55,000, Flexible Working Scheme (core hours and finish half day Friday- 37.5 hours across the week), Generous Pension Scheme (Employer 10% contribution & employee 4%), Enhanced Family Leave, Cycle to Work Scheme, Life Insurance, Access to OH / EAP, company sick pay, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
Next steps
For more information or a confidential conversation, please get in touch with James at Turver Jones.
Interviews to be conducted from week commencing 9th March
Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon Limited has appointed Turver Jones as its exclusive recruitment partner for this position. Any direct applications or inquiries will be forwarded to Turver Jones as part of the retained search agreement