Senior Cost Controller

Randstad Financial & Professional; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad Financial & Professional seeks a Cost Controller on a contract basis to join a leading company in Ipswich. You will manage project financial governance, monthly cost accounting, budget forecasting, and subcontract expenditure across high-volume works.

The role requires sector experience in civil engineering or major capital schemes, with strong ERP/Excel capabilities; SAP knowledge is advantageous and cross-functional collaboration with production and finance teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven cost control experience on large civil/earthworks or major capital schemes.
• Strong ERP and Excel modelling experience; SAP knowledge is advantageous.
• Excellent communication to challenge and advise across finance teams.
• Solid governance, subcontract accruals, and strict reporting discipline.

Responsibilities

• Month-End Cost Accounting: close costs, allocate expenses from facilities and depots, and calculate liabilities for subcontractors.
• Commercial Cost Control & Budgeting: monitor budgets against forecasts and maintain ledger accuracy.
• Operational Variance Analysis: analyze labour productivity, material yields, and indirect costs monthly.
• Forecasting & Planning: develop rolling cost projections and track production run rates.
• Supply Chain Financial Controls: ensure PO, GRN, and subcontractor valuations compliance.

Skills

ERP systems

Excel modelling

Stakeholder communication

Tools

SAP

Job description

We are looking for a Cost Controller on a contract basis to join a leading company in Ipswich. You will play a vital role in protecting financial integrity, take ownership of project financial governance, monthly cost accounting, budget forecasting, and subcontract expenditure across high-volume works.

Core Responsibilities

• Month-End Cost Accounting: Oversee package cost closing, balance and reallocate expenses from centralised production facilities and plant depots, and calculate precise manual liabilities/accruals for subcontractors and critical suppliers.
• Commercial Cost Control & Budgeting: Monitor baseline project budgets against forecast outturn quantities; coordinate approved budget variations and maintain strict ledger accuracy across complex package codes.
• Operational Variance Analysis: Partner with operational, production, and site-based commercial leads to deliver monthly variance analysis across labour productivity, material yield ratios, equipment costs, and indirect expenditure.
• Forecasting & Planning: Develop and maintain rolling quarterly and annual cost and quantity projections; track month-on-month production run rates to identify risks and commercial efficiencies early.
• Supply Chain Financial Controls: Ensure full compliance across purchase orders, GRNs, and subcontractor valuations, actively supporting the commercial resolution of critical supplier accounts.

What We Are Looking For

• Sector Background: Proven track record in project cost control, site management accounting, or commercial cost engineering within civil engineering, earthworks, heavy construction, or major capital schemes.
• ERP & Systems Acumen: Strong proficiency with mainstream ERP systems (SAP experience is advantageous) alongside advanced Microsoft Excel modelling skills.
• Stakeholder Influence: Excellent communication skills with the credibility to challenge, advise, and collaborate across production, commercial, and executive finance teams.
• Governance Focus: Solid grounding in subcontractor accruals, purchase ledger compliance, audit trails, and strict deadline-driven reporting cycles.

Randstad Financial & Professional encourage applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK.