Operational Business Partner
We're excited to be recruiting for an Operational Business Partner to join our Finance team in Thirsk. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, hands-on and commercially minded finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Acting as a key link between Finance and Operations, you'll influence decision-making, drive performance improvements, and support strategic priorities across our Thirsk site.
You'll be responsible for delivering meaningful financial insight, challenging operational assumptions, and partnering with leaders to ensure strong cost control, clarity of performance, and continuous improvement.
If you're analytical, pragmatic, and ready to make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.
About us
INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, well-established, and award-winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our family of brands includes Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher's, Classic, Pro-Nutrition, and Ultra Premium Direct, along with a number of partner brands that trust us to produce food on their behalf. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel, and Crick produce a wide range of dry, wet, and baked foods enjoyed by dogs and cats all over the world. Our ambition is simple: to become a global leader in pet nutrition.
Our Purpose: To Create Happiness
We're on a mission to set a new standard of workplace happiness within the pet nutrition industry-one that looks like no other and feels like no other. Our culture is built on INSPIRED's unique behaviours and colleague experience, creating an environment that excites, empowers, and puts people and pets at the heart of everything we do.
Key Accountability
Business Partnering & Performance Management
* Partner with site leadership teams to understand operational drivers and deliver meaningful financial insights.
* Challenge assumptions and influence decision-making to support continuous improvement.
* Support site performance reviews, identifying opportunities for cost reduction, process optimisation, and margin enhancement.
* Provide real-time financial analysis to support production planning, inventory management, and capacity utilisation.
* Work with the wider Finance team to forecast and explain monthly performance, taking action to drive improvement.
Financial Planning & Analysis
* Lead budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis for manufacturing operations.
* Translate operational data (yield, scrap, downtime, throughput) into clear financial impact assessments.
* Support product costing, standard cost setting, and variance analysis across materials, labour and direct production costs.
* Prepare and present monthly management packs with clear, insight-led commentary and recommendations.
Operational & Strategic Support
* Partner with Operations, Supply Chain and Engineering to optimise material costs and working capital.
* Evaluate CapEx proposals and conduct post-implementation reviews to ensure ROI delivery.
* Contribute to make-vs-buy decisions, pricing strategies and productivity initiatives.
* Support production teams to enhance cost control and resource utilisation.
Governance & Continuous Improvement
* Ensure strong financial controls and compliance within the manufacturing environment.
* Improve financial and operational reporting processes through continuous improvement initiatives.
* Support lean and digital manufacturing programmes with robust financial analysis.
* Develop financial literacy among non-finance stakeholders through coaching and training.
About You
* Qualified or part-qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent).
* Strong manufacturing finance experience, with solid understanding of cost structures and variance analysis.
* Confident working closely with operational and engineering teams, influencing stakeholders at all levels.
* Highly analytical with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
* Advanced Excel and ERP system experience (IFS / Tropos preferred; Power BI / Anaplan advantageous).
* Comfortable working in a fast-paced, continuously improving environment.
* Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with a proactive approach.
What are we offering?
* Competitive salary
* Hybrid working
* Medicash plan
* Enhanced maternity, paternity & pawternity
* Free onsite parking
* Dog-friendly offices (Thirsk & Crick)
* Discounted products & free hot drinks
* Flexible benefits: cycle to work, dental insurance, workplace nursery scheme
* Heavily discounted pet food
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the colleagues and communities we serve. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected and able to be themselves at work.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We make hiring decisions based on talent, potential and the experience you bring.
We are also committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring equitable access and opportunity for all. If you need any adjustments or support to take part in our recruitment process, please contact recruitment@ipn.co.uk
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