Cost Controller

Spirit Energy; Barrow-in-Furness; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Spirit Energy in Barrow-in-Furness is seeking a Cost Controller for a 2-year PAYE contract. The role blends office and site-ward activity in a hybrid setup, with four in-office days weekly and flexible fourth day. You will deliver cost reporting, accruals, and OPEX forecasts, while extracting SAP data and supporting P2P processes.

Bring SAP experience, strong Excel skills, and a keen eye for numbers. The successful candidate will contribute to governance, budget control, and monthly closings

Qualifications

• Previous experience in SAP
• Competent in Microsoft Excel
• Good numerical and analytical skills
• Pays close attention to detail
• HNC in Business Management or developing professional
• Experience in Finance, Cost Control or Commercial Administration desired

Responsibilities

• Deliver cost reporting and cost control on nominated categories of spend and create baselines.
• Support monthly accruals and OPEX forecasts, maintaining cost trackers for month-end close.
• Extract and analyse SAP data, including Value of Work Done (VOWD).
• Provide variance analysis to baselines, control estimates and monthly forecasts.
• Review monthly contract cost reports against Business Plan and highlight variances.
• Conduct timewriting analysis across operated assets and follow up missing timesheets.
• Review and manage Purchase Requisitions and Purchase Orders, ensuring accuracy and timely closure.
• Assure new POs with correct coding and adherence to Procure-to-Pay processes.
• Raise and process service entries for invoices and proformas in SAP.
• Review rental hire usage to identify and reduce unnecessary spend.
• Participate in internal and supplier meetings to support cost control and governance.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Education

HNC in Business Management

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

HAVE YOU GOT SPIRIT? In operation since 1985, Barrow Gas Terminal is a key piece of the UK’s energy infrastructure and supports the Morecambe Bay gas fields. The terminal has played a long‑standing role in processing and delivering natural gas, supporting both local employment and national energy supply. With a focus on safety, environmental sustainability and community engagement, we believe in operational excellence at every stage of production. If you are ready to take the next step in your career with a dynamic and energetic team, then we are keen to hear from you.

THE OPPORTUNITY – COST CONTROLLER

Location: Barrow-in-Furness

Duration: 2-year contract

Contract Type: PAYE

Day Rate: TBC - For your application to be progressed, please ensure you provide a PAYE day rate banding expectation. Please note that there is no travel and accommodation allowance provided. Please only apply if you have existing right-to-work in the UK. Please outline notice period/availability to start.

Spirit Energy currently have a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement for all office-based workers. 4 days must be worked in the office with compulsory days being Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The fourth day worked in-office (either Monday or Friday) is of the worker’s choosing but should be in keeping with what is most efficient and effective for their team. The office is open 5 days a week for full time, in-office working if this is the contractor’s preference.

In role, you will be required to:

• Working closely with the Cost Control Lead, the Cost Controller will be responsible to Deliver cost reporting and cost control on nominated categories of spend and create baselines.
• Support the preparation of monthly accruals and OPEX forecasts, maintaining cost trackers to support month-end close.
• Extract and analyse SAP data, including Value of Work Done (VOWD), liaising with JREs (Job Responsible Engineers) and Finance teams.
• With support provide variance analysis to baselines, control estimates, business plan and monthly forecasts.
• Support the cost control lead in the review of monthly contract cost reports against Business Plan, analysing variances and highlighting waste, risks, and errors.
• Conduct timewriting analysis across operated assets, following up on late or missing timesheet entries.
• Support the P2P process Review and raise and manage Purchase Requestions; Review and maintain Purchase Orders, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and timely closure of completed POs.
• Provide assurance on newly raised POs, verifying correct coding and adherence to Procure-to-Pay processes.
• Raise and process service entries for invoices and proformas in SAP Review Change Order requests to ensure Purchase Order (PO) uplifts are approved prior to work commencement.
• Support the review of the rental hire usage to identify and reduce unnecessary spend.
• Participate in internal and supplier meetings to support cost control and financial governance.
• Any other associated duties as reasonably require.

ABOUT YOU

• Previous experience in SAP
• Competent in Microsoft excel
• Good numerical and analytical skills
• Pays close attention to detail
• HNC in Business Management or a developing professional
• Some experience in Finance, Cost Control or Commercial Administration, with a preference for a candidate with experience ideally in Operator and Contractor organisations in the Oil and Gas sector desirable
• Previous experience in the Budgeting, Forecasting, and Cost Control and Procure to Pay process desirable

In addition to technical knowledge and credibility, we are looking for someone who lives our values - Agility, Collaboration, Courage, Care, and Delivery. A person who embraces and supports change, while ensuring the safe and efficient operation of a mature asset.

We are a truly pioneering energy transition company with a portfolio and ambitions that span the breadth of the energy transition. We’re continuing to break new ground, collaborating and thinking differently. We’re proud of our heritage. With more than 30 years of production, we’re maximising the potential of our existing assets and substantial gas reserves in the UK and Netherlands. Above all, we live by our commitment to safety in everything we do. Our portfolio is predominantly gas (96%), providing vital, primary energy to fuel our homes and businesses in the UK and Europe. Our strategy is focused on: - Safely delivering production from our existing assets; - Meeting and de-risking our decommissioning obligations, and - Exploring strategic energy transition opportunities from our existing assets.