Senior Cost Controller

Butler Rose; Ulverston; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Butler Rose is seeking a Senior Cost Controller to join our established finance team in Ulverston on a full-time, two-year fixed-term contract. You will lead budgeting, forecasting and cost management across maintenance, engineering and capital projects, delivering insightful analysis and ensuring spend stays within budget.

You will collaborate with operations, procurement and suppliers to drive efficiencies, monitor cost performance and support governance across projects.

Qualifications

• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and cost management processes.
• Strong knowledge of SAP and Advanced Excel.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders across operations and finance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly accruals and expenditure forecasts with cost trackers.
• Analyse spend against budget and provide insights to budget holders.
• Monitor SAP data (VOWD) with engineers and finance teams.
• Review contractor cost reports and highlight risks and opportunities.
• Support procurement and commercial governance through PO reviews and coding checks.
• Ensure procure-to-pay processes are followed and POs are closed promptly.
• Review equipment and rental costs to identify reductions.
• Assist with variation control and single-source procurement justifications.
• Attend internal and supplier meetings providing financial support and cost control expertise.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

SAP

Excel

Analytical

Communication

Education

HNC in Business Management

Job description

Senior Cost Controller

Location: Ulverston

Contract: Full-Time | 2-Year Fixed-Term Contract

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Cost Controller looking for your next challenge? We're recruiting for a Senior Cost Controller to join a busy operational finance team supporting large-scale maintenance, engineering and capital projects on a full-time, two-year fixed-term contract.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with operational teams, finance colleagues and suppliers to provide financial oversight, improve cost visibility and help ensure projects are delivered within budget. You'll play a key role in forecasting, commercial governance and identifying opportunities to drive efficiencies across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly accruals and operating expenditure forecasts, maintaining accurate cost trackers to support month-end reporting.
• Analyse actual spend against budget, investigate variances and provide meaningful financial insight to budget holders.
• Monitor SAP data, including Value of Work Done (VOWD), working alongside engineers and finance teams.
• Review contractor cost reports, highlighting risks, trends and opportunities to improve cost performance.
• Identify inefficiencies and support initiatives that deliver better commercial outcomes.
• Support procurement and commercial governance by reviewing purchase orders, change requests and coding accuracy.
• Ensure procure-to-pay processes are followed and completed purchase orders are closed promptly.
• Review equipment and rental costs to identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary expenditure.
• Assist with variation control and support single-source procurement justifications where required.
• Attend internal and supplier meetings, providing financial support and cost control expertise.

What We're Looking For

You'll be a commercially aware finance professional with excellent analytical skills and the confidence to work with stakeholders across operational and finance functions.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in Cost Control, Finance or Commercial Administration.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting and cost management processes.
• Experience using SAP and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent numerical and analytical ability.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Desirable

• HNC in Business Management or a related discipline.
• Experience within engineering, energy, manufacturing or other industrial sectors.
• Knowledge of both operator and contractor environments would be advantageous.
• Understanding of procure-to-pay and contract cost management processes.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to take on a varied and commercially focused role where your work will directly influence financial performance across significant operational projects. You'll join a collaborative team, work with experienced professionals and gain exposure to complex contracts, forecasting and commercial decision-making, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to further develop their career in cost control while making an immediate impact.

Butler Rose is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Butler Rose Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.