Financial Controller – Operations

Lotus Cars; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Car scheme (ECOS)

25 vacation days + bank holidays

Performance bonus

Future-proof pension

Private healthcare

Hybrid working

Job summary

Lotus Cars is seeking a Financial Controller – Operations to join our Finance team at the Hethel manufacturing facility. You will lead financial reporting, budgeting and analysis for the operations site, partnering with site leadership to drive efficiency and performance.

This role focuses on developing accounting systems and operational data, supporting system transitions and continuous improvement across Finance and Operations. A manufacturing environment and ERP expertise are preferred.

Qualifications

• Qualified accounting professional with up-to-date knowledge of accounting principles.
• Experience working in manufacturing finance and operations.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Produce monthly management accounts including P&L analysis and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes with Operations Finance and Group Finance.
• Provide financial insight to support operational and commercial decision-making.

Skills

Accounting/finance expertise

Manufacturing experience

ERP systems

SAP experience

Stakeholder management

Education

Accounting qualification (CIMA/ACCA)

Tools

SAP ERP

MS Excel

Job description

Lotus Cars is renowned for crafting world-class, high-performance, and lightweight sports cars that are celebrated across the globe.

Lotus Cars Limited serves as the company’s manufacturing HQ in the UK, where we proudly produce iconic models such as the Emira and the all-electric Evija. As we continue to elevate our capabilities and global presence, we are seeking a Financial Controller – Operations to join our dynamic Finance team at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hethel.

About the Role

We are looking for a Financial Controller – Operations to join our Finance team at Lotus, based at our Hethel manufacturing facility.

This is a key finance role providing financial leadership and support to our Operations and assembly facility at Hethel.

You'll work closely with Operations Business Partners and wider stakeholders to provide accurate and timely insight into the financial performance of the factory, identify opportunities to improve efficiency and support effective business decision-making.

The role will also have an important part to play in the development of our accounting systems and operational performance data, supporting the business through system transitions and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

As Financial Controller – Operations, your key responsibilities will include:

• Produce monthly management accounts, including ongoing P&L analysis and full balance sheet reconciliations.

• Support the annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes, working closely with the Head of Operations Finance and Group Finance.

• Provide clear financial insight to support effective operational and commercial decision-making.

• Build strong relationships with operational business partners and use financial insight to drive continuous improvement.

• Develop, monitor and report on key site KPIs.

• Establish and improve accounting systems, integrating information from both new and existing systems.

• Support the continued development of the Operations Performance Review Pack in line with changing business requirements.

• Identify and implement improvements to processes and practices across Finance.

• Provide financial leadership and help identify and develop capability within the wider team.

• Work proactively with stakeholders to identify and resolve issues and improve operational performance.

Key Stakeholders

You'll work collaboratively across Lotus, with key relationships including:

• Head of Operations Finance

• Site Operational Managers

• Group Operational Managers

• Group Finance

• Finance Director

• Wider Operations and Finance teams

What We're Looking For

You'll ideally bring:

• An accountancy qualification, or significant relevant experience with strong, up-to-date knowledge of accounting and financial principles and practices.

• Previous experience working with a manufacturing ERP system.

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills.

• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, risk analysis, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.

• Experience identifying and implementing improvements across financial processes.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, with a proactive approach to building relationships and resolving issues.

• The ability to understand the bigger picture and use financial insight to drive performance improvements.

• Strong organisational and leadership skills.

• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to demanding deadlines.

• SAP experience would be advantageous.

About You

You'll be a proactive self-starter who is comfortable working in a fast-paced operational environment.

You'll be able to combine strong technical finance knowledge with a commercial and operational mindset, building effective relationships across the business and confidently challenging where opportunities for improvement exist.

You'll also be comfortable working with detailed financial information while maintaining a clear view of the wider operational and business objectives.

Additional Information

This role is primarily based at our Hethel site in Norfolk, with occasional travel to our LAS facility at Hurricane Way, Norwich.

Why Lotus?

At Lotus, we're continuing to transform how we operate, and Finance plays a critical role in supporting our manufacturing and operational performance.

This is an opportunity to work closely with the teams responsible for building our cars, providing the financial insight, challenge and support needed to drive performance and continuous improvement across our Operations function.

If you're an experienced finance professional with a strong understanding of manufacturing operations and enjoy turning financial information into meaningful business decisions, we'd love to hear from you.

What we offer:

• We provideaccess to a Company Carscheme (ECOS)to make your commutes smoother!

• 25 Vacation Days + Bank Holidays: Recharge, explore, or binge-watch your favorite series with plenty of time to relax and enjoy life outside of work.

• Performance Bonus:

• Future-Proof Pension:

• Private Healthcare:

• We work hybrid

  , meaning you will be in the office when necessary and you can work from home when you're needed there ( days on site at Hethel per week).

Additional Information:

• This role will be working from our Hethel plantwithin our flexible working policy

• Candidates must be eligible to work in UK without VISA sponsorship.

Our Company:

Group Lotus is a leading sports car manufacturer with over 75-year long history of iconic designs, groundbreaking engineering and legendary victories on the F1 track. Today we are transforming into a truly global performance car brand focused on the electrical future. In 2022 welaunched the Eletre, the world’s first all-electric hyper-SUV, and in 2023 our fully-electric Hyper-GT, Emeya.

As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them.

Hethel, Norfolk, England has been the home of Lotus for over 60 years, ever since Colin Chapman, our founder, started making championship-winning racing cars.In conjunction with production facilities in Norwich, and research facilities near Warwick, our UK sites offer a wide breadth of roles for all disciplines.

We're not just a car company; we're a diverse mix of talent from all walks of life.At Group Lotus, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential pillars of a thriving and successful organisation.Read more here: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Lotus Cars.

Do you want to know what Sophisticated, Rebellious and Pioneering mean for Lotus Cars Limited? Come and take a look at our career siteand join the incredible adventure: https://lotusukmanufacturing.teamtailor.com/