Sowena Group is delighted to be exclusively partnering with a high-growth, private equity-backed manufacturing business based in Blackburn to appoint a Senior Management Accountant. As the business continues to invest in its finance function and operational capability, this is an excellent opportunity to join a fast-paced manufacturing environment where finance plays a key role in driving commercial performance.
Reporting to the Operations Finance Controller, you’ll work closely with operational leaders across the business, providing financial insight, supporting decision-making and ensuring robust financial control across the manufacturing operation. This is a highly visible role offering genuine exposure to senior stakeholders and the opportunity to influence business performance through meaningful financial analysis.
For a qualified accountant with a manufacturing background, this role offers the chance to combine operational finance, business partnering and management accounting within a business that continues to grow and invest in its people.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Control
Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts, including full P&L and balance sheet analysis.
- Lead month-end close activities, including journals, accruals, prepayments and variance analysis.
- Ensure compliance with financial controls, policies and internal procedures.
- Support the year-end audit process and statutory reporting requirements.
Business Partnering
- Act as a trusted finance partner to operational and site management teams.
- Provide financial insight and challenge to support commercial and operational decision-making.
- Work closely with production teams to analyse manufacturing efficiency, waste and yield performance.
- Support capital investment decisions through financial modelling and payback analysis.
- Deliver meaningful reporting on operational profitability and key performance indicators.
Manufacturing Finance
- Maintain and enhance standard costing models.
- Analyse labour, material and overhead variances, identifying opportunities to improve performance.
- Monitor inventory valuation and stock controls, ensuring accuracy across the manufacturing operation.
- Support cost reduction initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead budgeting and forecasting activities for operational areas.
- Partner with budget holders to develop robust financial plans.
- Monitor performance against budget and provide clear, actionable financial insights.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve financial reporting, controls and processes.
- Support finance transformation initiatives, automation and system enhancements.
- Drive efficiencies through improved analysis and reporting.
About You
- Fully qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA accountant.
- Previous management accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of standard costing, manufacturing finance and operational reporting.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience working with ERP systems.
- Proven ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders outside offinance.
- Analytical, commercially minded and proactive, with excellent attention to detail.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities.
What’s on Offer
- Salary of £55,000-£60,000.
- Hybrid working.
- 25 days annual leave plus bankholidays.
- Lifeassurance.
- Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 GP access.
- Access to a comprehensive learning and development programmes
- Discount and benefits platform.
- The opportunity to join a growing, PE-backed business where finance is at the heart of operational and commercial decision-making, with genuine opportunities to progress as the organisation continues to evolve