Finance Business Partner – Operations

Sheffield Forgemasters International; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield Forgemasters International is seeking a Finance Business Partner – Operations to support our manufacturing functions with robust financial insight and strategic guidance. You will partner with operational leaders to drive performance, ensure accurate budgeting and forecasting, and provide actionable recommendations based on financial data.

The role requires strong technical finance skills, including modelling, forecasting and Power BI/Excel, plus experience in a manufacturing

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in finance (CIMA/ACCA/ACA or equivalent) is required.
• Experience in finance business partnering in manufacturing or operations is preferred.
• Strong modelling, forecasting and data analysis capabilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operational leaders to improve financial performance, accountability and decision‑making.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and operational reporting activities.
• Provide insight into labour, raw material, standard costing and manufacturing performance.
• Lead the financial management of operational CapEx investments and major capital projects.
• Develop meaningful reporting and translating complex financial data into actionable recommendations.
• Manage and develop a small team.

Skills

Financial modelling

Forecasting

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Excel

Power BI

Education

CIMA/ACCA/ACA or equivalent

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Job description

At Sheffield Forgemasters we have an exciting opportunity for a Finance Business Partner – Operations to join our team.

This role is based at our 64-acre site, sitting in the heart of Sheffield, and will be working as part of our Finance team, partnering closely with operational leaders to provide financial insight, challenge and support that drives business performance and informed decision-making across our manufacturing operations.

As a Finance Business Partner – Operations, you will provide commercial and financial support to our operational functions, ensuring accurate reporting, budgeting and forecasting while helping stakeholders understand performance, maximise value and drive continuous improvement.

What you’ll be doing

• Partnering with operational leaders to improve financial performance, accountability and decision‑making.
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and operational reporting activities.
• Providing insight into labour, raw material, standard costing and manufacturing performance.
• Leading the financial management of operational CapEx investments and major capital projects.
• Developing meaningful reporting and translating complex financial data into actionable recommendations.
• Managing and developing a small team.

About You

• Qualified CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent.
• Previous experience in a Finance Business Partnering role ideally within a complex operational or manufacturing environment.
• Strong financial modelling, forecasting and analytical skills.
• Advanced Excel skills with experience using Power BI.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship‑building abilities.
• A proactive problem solver who can simplify complex data and influence positive change.

As well as having the skills, knowledge and experience for this role, we are also looking for someone who embodies our core values: Customer Focus; Working Together; Trust & Respect; Quality & Innovation and Safety & Wellbeing.

The Working Pattern

This is a full‑time role working 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday. We offer flexibility in our start and finish times between 06:15 – 09:30 and 14:30 – 18:00.

Why Sheffield Forgemasters?

Sheffield Forgemasters is an iconic steel production and engineering company, with a history that can be traced back to the 1750s, starting life as a small blacksmith forge. We have since gone through many evolutions and gone by several different names and guises, whilst consistently being at the forefront of innovation and new process development in the steel industry.

Recognising Sheffield Forgemasters as a global leader in the designing, manufacturing and delivering of world‑class steel forgings and castings, we were acquired by the UK Ministry of Defence in 2021. The acquisition has secured our role as a critical supplier to the next generation of UK defence programmes. As part of this programme of work, £1.3bn is being invested in modernising our plant and equipment, creating new opportunities for the business and our colleagues.

What We Offer

• Stability, with large‑scale & long‑term investment and orders already secured into the 2040s.
• A programme of redevelopment that will include state‑of‑the‑art new machinery and facilities on site.
• Up to 9% employer pension contribution.
• Life Assurance Scheme as part of the pension programme, 4 x annual salary.
• All Employee Bonus Scheme, up to £1000 paid annually, dependent on company performance.
• Onsite canteen.
• Free onsite parking and available EV chargers.
• Multi‑Faith Room.
• Free Sheffield Forgemasters branded coat upon joining, with other branded workwear available to purchase online.
• You at Work – Access to online discounts portal.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Discounted Westfield Health Plan Scheme.
• Onsite Occupational Health Team, providing health screening and wellbeing initiatives and support, including but not limited to:
  • Availability to confidentially discuss any physical or mental health concerns.
  • Referrals and access to Physiotherapy sessions, when required.
  • Ear irrigation.
  • Flu Vaccinations.
  • Blood Pressure management clinics.
  • Weight management clinics.
  • Occupational Health checks in line with health promotion and wellbeing events. e.g. Cholesterol, Blood sugar, Icle tests, etc.
  • Health promotion campaigns, utilising outside companies / charities, such as Andy’s Man Club.
  • Access to Zest Fit – Lifestyle Coach.
  • Skills for life sessions offered to all, including CPR, managing bleeds, burns etc.
  • Financial Wellbeing Sessions – Pension providers coming on site to talk to colleagues and offering advice.
  • Chaplain Service.
• Support for ex‑military and reservists in employment as a bronze accredited participant in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

Equality and Diversity

Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Sheffield Forgemasters. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our local catchment area and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Flexible Working

We recognise the importance of work‑life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements that align with our policies. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office‑based and remote working. Applicants can request further information regarding the policy and how this may work in their role, from our People & Culture Team and / or the line manager for the applicable role.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. People working with government / MOD assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

Nationality limitations

Please be aware that many roles at Sheffield Forgemasters are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 – 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Join our team of heavy engineering experts and help build the world's most critical infrastructure.

We offer hands‑on training, recognised qualifications, and structured routes into skilled engineering careers. Whether you’re applying for an apprenticeship or joining with experience, you’ll work with industry‑leading equipment and be part of complex, large‑scale projects in steel manufacturing.