Operations Finance Manager

About the Role

We are looking for an Operations Finance Manager to join a manufacturing company based in County Galway. This senior-level position involves establishing and leading a new Operations Finance sub-function within the Finance department, focusing on providing financial leadership and insights to support operations effectively. The ideal candidate will have experience in a regulated manufacturing environment, such as medical devices or pharmaceuticals, with expertise in standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and launch a dedicated Operations Finance team, defining its structure, processes, and workflows.
• Lead and develop a team of two Cost Accountants, setting performance goals and enhancing capabilities.
• Develop comprehensive operational finance reports covering manufacturing efficiency, costs, yields, waste, labor, overhead absorption, variances, and inventory metrics.
• Provide regular reporting packs weekly and monthly that offer actionable insights for both operations management and finance leadership.
• Create and monitor site-specific KPIs, dashboards, and cost-per-unit metrics, driving automation and standardization of reporting.
• Serve as the principal finance business partner to the Site General Manager, offering financial insight and challenge to aid decision-making.
• Support operational leadership with budgeting, forecasting, workforce planning, and cost control.
• Assess capital expenditure proposals, cost-saving initiatives, make-or-buy decisions, and conduct post-investment reviews.
• Manage the annual standard cost-setting process and periodic updates.
• Lead budgeting and rolling forecasts specific to operations, including production volume, conversion costs, and inventory.
• Enhance inventory controls in collaboration with operations and supply chain, focusing on cycle counts, BOMs, and routings.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Certified accountant qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) with substantial post-qualification experience.
• Proven experience as an Operations Accountant within a regulated manufacturing setting is essential.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing financial principles, focusing on standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis, preferably in medical device or pharmaceutical industries.
• Strong track record of business partnering with senior operational management, ideally at the site General Manager or Operations Director level.
• Experience in developing finance teams or functions and enhancing reporting capabilities is highly valued.
• Proficient in managing and mentoring qualified and part-qualified finance personnel.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and strong experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics; knowledge of BI and reporting tools like Power BI is advantageous.