Financial Analyst

Advocate Group; Braintree; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Advocate Group is proudly partnering with a leading global FMCG manufacturer to recruit a Finance Analyst (Cost & Manufacturing) for a key UK site. You will move beyond transactional finance to act as a true business partner, supporting month-end close, cost reporting and forecasting to influence commercial outcomes.

With manufacturing finance experience, you will analyse manufacturing costs, manage standard costing, and leverage SAP and advanced Excel to deliver insightful performance

Qualifications

• Manufacturing costing and cost analysis experience.
• Strong financial reporting skills.
• Experience with standard costing, inventory and WIP helpful.
• SAP experience desirable; advanced Excel required.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end reporting and four-day close.
• Prepare financial reports, reconciliations and performance analysis.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.
• Manage standard costing and ensure cost data accuracy in SAP.
• Analyse manufacturing costs (materials, labour, overheads) and profitability.
• Monitor KPIs, investigate variances and provide insights.
• Partner with Production, Planning, HR and Operations to drive decisions.
• Support continuous improvement across finance and manufacturing.

Skills

Manufacturing finance

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Tools

SAP

Job description

The Advocate Group is proud to be partnering with a leading global FMCG manufacturer to recruit a Finance Analyst (Cost & Manufacturing) for one of its key UK manufacturing sites.

If you're looking for a role where you can move beyond transactional finance and become a true business partner within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, this could be the perfect opportunity.

Working closely with Finance and Operations, you'll play a key role in supporting the site’s financial performance through accurate reporting, cost analysis and forecasting. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with manufacturing finance experience who enjoys getting into the detail, influencing stakeholders and making a real commercial impact.

What you'll be doing

• Taking ownership of the site’s month‑end reporting process, ensuring an accurate four‑day close.
• Preparing financial reports, reconciliations and performance analysis.
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities.
• Managing standard costing and ensuring the accuracy of manufacturing cost data within SAP.
• Analysing manufacturing costs, including materials, labour, packaging and overheads, as well as product profitability, to identify trends and opportunities.
• Monitoring financial and operational KPIs, investigating variances and providing meaningful insight.
• Partnering with Production, Planning, HR and Operations teams to support business performance and drive informed decision‑making.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the finance and manufacturing functions.

What we’re looking for

• Previous experience in a Manufacturing Finance Analyst, Management Accountant, Assistant Accountant, Cost Accountant or similar finance role.
• Experience working within a manufacturing, FMCG, food & beverage or industrial environment – manufacturing experience is essential.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing costing, cost analysis and financial reporting.
• Experience with standard costing, inventory, WIP or product costing would be highly advantageous.
• SAP experience is highly desirable.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with large volumes of financial data.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• A proactive approach and the ability to build strong relationships across both Finance and Operations.
• A commercially minded approach, with the ability to understand the operational drivers behind financial performance.

If you're an analytical finance professional with manufacturing experience and you're looking for your next challenge within a collaborative and fast‑paced environment, we'd love to hear from you.

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner to the FMCG and consumer products sector. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability.