Finance & Operations Controller

Manpower (United Kingdom); Cambourne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Employer pension contribution 8.5%

Healthcare from day one (Bupa/Medicash

Exposure to senior leadership

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

ZEISS is recruiting a Finance & Operations Controller for Cambourne or Lutterworth (Hybrid). The role provides broader commercial exposure, working with senior stakeholders to drive performance and strategic decisions.

You will analyse financial performance, own key processes and support cross-functional teams to optimise operations and reporting. This is a step-up role with significant ownership and development potential.

Qualifications

• Experience in Finance, Management Accounting or Commercial Finance.
• Strong accounting and financial reporting skills.
• Willingness to engage with stakeholders and senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Support budgeting, forecasting and business planning activities.
• Analyse financial and operational performance, providing insight and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Own and improve key finance and operational processes, particularly across Order-to-Cash activities.
• Partner with finance, operations and commercial teams to drive business performance.
• Support month-end reporting and financial analysis.
• Contribute to process improvement and SAP optimisation initiatives.
• Monitor KPIs and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support business transformation and change initiatives.

Skills

Finance experience

Management accounting

Commercial finance

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting

ACCA/CIMA/ACA in progress

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Excel (advanced)

Job description

Finance & Operations Controller Location: Cambourne or Lutterworth (Hybrid Working) Full-time | Permanent

Are you a finance professional ready to take the next step into a broader, more commercially focused role? ZEISS is looking for a Finance & Operations Controller to join its UK Finance team in Cambourne or could be based in Lutterworth. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a background in finance, management accounting, controlling or commercial finance who wants greater exposure to business operations, senior stakeholders and strategic decision-making.

As a global leader in optical, imaging and microscopy technology, ZEISS develops innovative solutions that support scientific discovery, advanced manufacturing and healthcare worldwide. In this role, you’ll work closely with teams across the business to improve performance, optimise processes and provide the financial insight that supports key business decisions.

This is a genuine step-up opportunity offering increased responsibility, ownership and long-term career development.

What's in it for you?

• Hybrid and flexible working
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with additional holiday for long service
• 8.5% employer pension contribution
• Bupa Healthcare and Medicash from day one
• Exposure to senior leadership and strategic business projects
• Opportunity to influence operational and financial performance
• Excellent training, development and career progression opportunities
• Join a globally recognised technology leader with a strong culture of innovation and continuous improvement

Key Responsibilities

• Support budgeting, forecasting and business planning activities
• Analyse financial and operational performance, providing insight and recommendations to stakeholders
• Own and improve key finance and operational processes, particularly across Order-to-Cash activities
• Partner with finance, operations and commercial teams to drive business performance
• Support month-end reporting and financial analysis
• Contribute to process improvement and SAP optimisation initiatives
• Monitor KPIs and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
• Support business transformation and change initiatives

What We're Looking For

• Experience in Finance, Management Accounting, Commercial Finance or a similar role
• Someone looking to take the next step into a broader, business-façing position
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Commercially minded with a passion for process improvement
• Degree qualified and ideally studying towards, or interested in pursuing, ACCA, CIMA or ACA qualifications
• Desirable: Experience SAP S/4HANA Order-to-Cash or Supply Chain processes
• Desirable: Process improvement or transformation projects
• Desirable: Experience working within a multinational organisation