Financial Analyst – Global Operations

Smiths Detection; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global security solutions firm is looking for a Financial Analyst for their Global Operations division. This role focuses on financial reporting and process optimization, supporting the Finance Director in strategic decisions. Candidates must have extensive experience in financial management within a corporate structure, particularly with SAP. The position requires strong analytical skills and the ability to manage complex data sets in an international environment. A commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in a global corporate finance environment.
• Strong experience in managing operational-focused financial reporting.
• Experience with large datasets (4m+ rows) required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the completeness and timely reporting of monthly financials.
• Manage financial planning processes for quarterly and annual plans.
• Identify and manage risks through robust inventory and cost control.

Skills

Management accounting

Financial reporting

Variance analysis

Excel

SAP (ECC)

Project management

Education

ACCA ACMA qualification or equivalent

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP (ECC)

Power Query

Job description

Job Purpose

The role of Financial Analyst – Global Operations supports the provision of financial insight to the Global Operations Finance Director and VP Global Operations. The role will be focused on development and management of global finance reporting and processes, including identifying and centralising tasks. The individual will also ensure the appropriate existence and functioning of finance related operating procedures in respect of the division’s manufacturing, procurement, supply chain, quality and other associated activities. The role will involve regular communication of management information to the Finance and operations functions, in addition to supporting the Finance Director in providing strategic input, identifying business risks and proposing mitigating actions.

Duties

Financial Reporting and Planning

• Proactively ensure the completeness, consistency, and timely reporting of the monthly Operations metrics and financials.
• Ownership of consolidation and divisional reporting of monthly financials together with ensuring that the appropriate framework is adhered to.
• Develop and maintain an appropriate reporting tool to represent the various elements causing under / over absorption within operations.
• Creation of templates and analysis tools for global use, provision of training and support in use of tools.
• Drive the financial planning process for all quarterly, annual and strategic financial plans.
• Manage Global Ops Finance projects to completion to enhance the level of consistency and automation of Operations / Finance processes

Cost Control

• Robust and consistent cost control including SAP standard costing structure across the Smiths Detection entities, tracking of target benefits and understanding of monthly variances giving rise to under / over absorption.
• Employ techniques such as analytical review to identify and query anomalous costs and budget variances.
• Support, maintain and develop financial reports in partnership with the Ops functions – Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics, ME
• Ensure BS and P&L recognition of inventory and associated variances are aligned with Finance policies.

Inventory / Cost Roll

• Ownership of inventory reporting and risk management, working closely with Supply Chain, Procurement and Operations Excellence and other functions.
• Ensure SAP compliance is maintained, and inventory policy adhered to.
• Delivery and support for all activities relating to the administration of the annual cost roll process, including detailed checks and reporting.

Financial Stewardship

• Internal Controls, Policies & Procedures, Continuous Improvement, Ad-hoc projects / requests, Stakeholder Management

Qualifications

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Essential: Ideally a qualified accountant, but significant experience in an operations focused management accounting role will be considered.

• Professionally qualified or part qualified, (ACCA ACMA), and educated to a degree level.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a global corporate environment.
• Experience working with SAP (ECC) essential. ONYX, EveryAngle, GLWand and BW a significant advantage.
• A conscientious approach to reporting and curiosity for analysis and problem solving.
• Experience in variance analysis and manipulation of large datasets (4m+ rows)
• Ability to schedule and plan global processes using project management tools
• Strong technical skills in Excel, experience in Power Query essential (not Pivot Tables), ability to adopt emerging technology to automate processes.
• Experience of dealing with large organisations and consolidations is an advantage.

Competencies and Abilities

• The ability and motivation to persistently pursue and achieve effective results which drive the business forward.
• The ability to monitor and manage the progress of multiple tasks during short turnaround times and meet multiple deadlines.
• The ability to engage, challenge and work effectively with others, building effective internal and external networks.
• Willing to ask questions but also research potential solutions independently, including identifying continuous improvement opportunities.
• Build relationships and establish credibility across all business functions at all levels
• Documentation and presentation skills catered to a diverse technical and business audience

Additional Information

To find out more about life at Smiths Detection check out our LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/smiths-detection and follow our story

Join us for a great career and competitive compensation & benefits whilst keeping the world a safer place.

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (www.smithsdetection.com/careers)