Cost Controller

We have an exciting opportunity for a Cost Controller to join the wider finance team. As the Cost Controller for the John Crane UK manufacturing site, reporting to the Global Operations Financial Business Partner for DGS, you will lead cost control and operational finance processes.

This role involves close collaboration with the site Operations Management team to drive effective financial planning, deliver monthly financial insights, and ensure robust cost management. You will support budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and compliance, while providing strategic financial guidance to optimise labour utilisation, control costs, and enhance overall site performance.

This role is based from our headquarters in Slough 4 days per week.

John Crane is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to crafting an inclusive environment for all employees.

Duties & Responsibilities (not limited to)

Financial Operations

• Ensure the John Crane UK Operations Management Teams are provided monthly financial results and financial insight discussed in monthly financial review meetings that enable them to focus on decision making to maximise labour utilization, control costs & the impact to trading profit.
• Assist the UK Operations Finance Business Partner in all financial planning processes (monthly reforecasts of critical data and budgets), including the engagement of the key operations stakeholders.
• Robust and consistent cost control through oversight of the costing structure applied across the facility with clear understanding of monthly variances giving rise to under/over absorption within Operations. Along with rigorous stock control.
• Assist in the annual cost update process and labour and overhead update calculations.
• Assist in the month end and year end closing reporting process.
• Develop a vital understanding of key working processes within the SAP ERP system associated to manufacturing variance generated to enhance improvements in the financial performance.

Business Strategy

• Cost Controller to the JC UK Operations management team as well as to the Global Manufacturing Director for DGS - providing financial insight and analysis to support business strategy and decision-making, including where necessary.
• Robust working relationship with the JC UK Operations Management team to assist in continuous improvement in cost control/reductions to benefit operating costs impacting production labour & overhead rates.
• Ensure the regular review of all aspects of the manufacturing operations to monitor KPI’s to drive performance and identify areas requiring greater focus.
• Support ad-hoc John Crane initiatives, projects, or and information requests as directed by the UK Operations Finance Business Partner.

Financial Stewardship

• Overall responsibility for ensuring that all aspect of Operations finance are compliant with policies and process, including:
• Capital projects meet both the needs of the organization, and receive appropriate financial evaluation covering verification of cost, benefit assumptions and post completion reviews’
• sites having adequate financial controls in place that are sufficient to protect its manufacturing assets, including asset verifications;
• sites are compliant with all Smiths Group financial policies and procedures, such as operation’s approvals, spending limits, expense procedures, Capex applications, etc; and Support internal & external audits with required information for a successful site audit

Qualifications

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field
• A member of a recognised Accountancy body ACCA. CIMA. ACA, CPA
• Extent experience with a strong focus on Operational Commercial / and or Strategic Business Analysis
• Self-starter with flexibility and willingness to balance multiple, changing priorities and work under tight deadlines
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills with the ability to communicate and present to direct stakeholders as well as senior stakeholders
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills and experience of using financial consolidation systems and ERPs (SAP/BW knowledge strong plus)
• Ability to make good judgments in an increasingly complex global business by effectively sourcing and analysing critical information and making effective, timely decisions; taking into account the needs and impacts on business stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to persistently pursue and achieve results. Uses data / analytics to proactively monitor and review plans to hit or exceed targets and drives continuous improvement while building strong working relationships needed with the key stakeholders the position supports

Additional Information

With colleagues stretching across the globe, we are proud of our diversity. To foster inclusivity, we run employee resource groups (ERGs) to provide a safe space for employees to connect and support each other. Our cross-business ERGs include Veterans, Pride Network, Black Employee Network, Women@Work Network, and Neurodiversity.

Across our company, we recognize excellence, culminating in the Smiths Excellence Awards, our annual celebration of the most extraordinary activities, people, and projects that best showcase our strengths and help drive our business forward. We announce these on our annual Smiths Day, a global celebration of Smiths around our network.

Join us for a great career with competitive compensation and benefits, while helping engineer a better future.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)