Finance Business Partner

Sharp Consultancy; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharp Consultancy is seeking a Finance Business Partner to bridge finance and operational teams within a growing manufacturing business. Reporting to the Head of Finance, the role focuses on delivering financial insight, challenging performance, and supporting strategic decisions to drive profitability.

The ideal candidate is a qualified or near-qualification ACA/ACCA/CIMA with experience in a commercial finance role, preferably within manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Qualified or near-qualification ACA/ACCA/CIMA
• Experience as Finance Business Partner/Commercial Finance Analyst/Management Accountant or similar
• Manufacturing/operational environment experience advantageous

Responsibilities

• Partner with operational and senior management teams to provide financial support and commercial insight across manufacturing operations
• Produce and analyse management information, identifying trends, risks and opportunities to support performance
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and planning activities for designated business areas
• Deliver detailed variance analysis with actionable commentary for financial and operational stakeholders
• Support month-end and year-end reporting processes with accurate and timely information
• Monitor KPIs including production efficiencies, labour costs, material usage and operational metrics
• Challenge and supporting stakeholders to improve profitability, control costs and drive efficiencies
• Evaluate business cases, capital expenditure proposals and investment opportunities with robust analysis

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA

Job description

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a successful and growing manufacturing business as a Finance Business Partner, becoming a key link between the finance function and operational teams across the organisation.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will play a pivotal role in providing financial insight, challenging performance, and supporting strategic decision-making across the business. Acting as a trusted advisor to operational and senior stakeholders, you will help drive profitability, improve efficiencies, and ensure financial objectives are aligned with wider business goals.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Partnering with operational and senior management teams to provide financial support and commercial insight across manufacturing operations

• Producing and analysing management information, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities to support business performance

• Leading budgeting, forecasting, and planning activities for designated business areas

• Delivering detailed variance analysis with clear and actionable commentary for both financial and operational stakeholders

• Supporting month-end and year-end reporting processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial information is available for decision-making

• Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), including production efficiencies, labour costs, material usage, and operational performance metrics

• Challenging and supporting stakeholders to improve profitability, control costs, and drive operational efficiencies

• Evaluating business cases, capital expenditure proposals, and investment opportunities, providing robust financial analysis and recommendations

• Supporting strategic initiatives and continuous improvement projects across the manufacturing and finance functions

• Building strong working relationships with non-finance stakeholders, translating complex financial information into meaningful business insights

• Assisting with ad hoc analysis, reporting requirements, and commercial projects as required

This role offers excellent scope for progression and development, providing significant exposure to both operational and strategic decision-making. You will have the opportunity to influence business performance directly, work closely with senior leaders, and play a key role in shaping the future direction of the organisation.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified or late-stage part-qualified ACA, ACCA, or CIMA accountant with previous experience in a Finance Business Partner, Commercial Finance Analyst, Management Accountant, or similar commercially focused finance role.

Experience within manufacturing, engineering, distribution, or another operationally focused environment would be highly advantageous. You will have strong analytical capabilities, excellent commercial awareness, and the confidence to challenge and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.

This opportunity would suit an ambitious finance professional looking to develop their business partnering expertise and gain broader exposure within a dynamic, fast-paced, and commercially focused manufacturing environment.

Sharp Consultancy is a finance and accountancy recruitment specialist assisting accounting and finance divisions of businesses in the Yorkshire and Derbyshire area. With over 30 years' experience we pride ourselves on sourcing excellent finance professionals across all