Finance Business Partner

Devonshire Appointments; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the UK is seeking a Finance Business Partner to drive financial performance across production and supply chain operations. This role involves partnering with operational leaders, managing budgets, and ensuring effective cost management. Candidates should possess a qualifying accounting credential and 5-10 years of finance experience, preferably in manufacturing settings. The role is hybrid, requiring 3 days remote work and 2 days in the office, along with a competitive salary of £60-65K plus benefits.

Benefits

Car allowance

Additional benefits

Qualifications

• 5-10 years' experience in finance, ideally within manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Strong background in cost accounting, operational finance, and performance analysis.
• Confident working cross-functionally with operations and senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to operational leadership to improve financial performance.
• Lead planning, budgeting, and forecasting in partnership with FP&A.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives and identify efficiency opportunities.

Skills

Cost accounting

Operational finance

Performance analysis

Advanced Excel modelling

ERP systems knowledge

Education

Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent)

Tools

SAP

Oracle

JD Edwards

Job description

At Paragon Customer Communications, we deliver critical communications that connect organisations with their customers. Behind that delivery is a high-performing operational engine — and we're now looking for a Finance Business Partner to help drive performance, profitability, and smarter decision-making across our production and supply chain environment.

The Role

As Finance Business Partner, you'll act as a trusted advisor to our operational leadership team. Your focus will be on improving financial performance through insightful analysis, rigorous cost control, and strong business partnering. You'll ensure financial discipline in key decisions, support continuous improvement initiatives, and help optimise processes across manufacturing and supply chain functions.

What You'll Be Doing

Business Partnering & Strategy

• Partner closely with operational leaders to support strategic and day-to-day decision-making
• Translate operational performance into clear financial insight
• Evaluate and challenge investment proposals, CAPEX, and cost-saving initiatives

Operational & Financial Performance

• Lead planning, budgeting and forecasting in partnership with FP&A
• Monitor and interpret key KPIs including production variances, material usage, labour efficiency and overhead absorption

Cost Management & Analysis

• Drive cost-reduction initiatives and identify efficiency opportunities
• Support waste reduction and continuous improvement programmes

Reporting & Insight

• Deliver timely, accurate reporting, dashboards and senior-level insights
• Highlight trends, risks and opportunities impacting performance
• Provide insight and challenge through month-end and ongoing financial reviews

Projects & Governance

• Act as finance lead on operational projects, investments and process improvements
• Build financial models and business cases for CAPEX
• Ensure compliance with controls, accounting standards and audit requirements

About You

• Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent)
• 5-10 years' experience in finance, ideally within manufacturing or industrial environments
• Strong background in cost accounting, operational finance and performance analysis
• Confident working with ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards) and advanced Excel modelling
• Experienced working cross-functionally with operations and senior stakeholders

What Sets You Apart

• Strong commercial and operational acumen
• Able to translate finance into meaningful, practical insight
• Analytical, hands-on and solutions-focused
• Confident challenging constructively and influencing decisions
• Proactive self-starter with a continuous improvement mindset

This is a hybrid role – 3 days at home, 2 days in office with some potential travel to Ireland.

Salary £60-65K plus car allowance and additional benefits.

Devonshire is an equal-opportunity employer, and we encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.