Finance Business Partner Operations/ Cost Accountant

Gilkes | Kendal | £50,000 £55,000 + great benefits | flexible working

Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon has partnered with Turver Jones to recruit a Finance Business Partner (Operations) / Cost Accountant based in Kendal due to retirement.

Gilkes is a long-established and highly respected engineering and manufacturing business, with over 170 years of heritage and an exciting future driven by global growth in power generation markets and the need for dependable clean energy. Gilkes offers the stability of an established business alongside real long-term opportunity and a culture where people are the core of everything they do.

This is a hands-on, operational role where youll work closely with the Operations, Engineering and Commercial teams, helping them understand performance, control costs and make more informed decisions. Reporting to the Financial Controller you will be working with a small but highly experienced team offering huge opportunity for learning and development.

The role

Youll be responsible for providing practical financial insight across the manufacturing side of the business, including:

• Preparing and analysing monthly operational reporting
• Analysing manufacturing variances and product margins to drive improvements
• Partnering with stakeholders to analyse, review and refine standard costs
• Monitoring inventory levels and slow-moving stock to optimise working capital
• Supporting budgeting and forecasting processes for manufacturing
• Providing financial input and challenge into Integrated Business Planning
• Working closely with operational teams to understand performance drivers
• Identifying risks, trends and opportunities and providing constructive challenge

This is a visible role within the business, building relationships and helping translate financial information into something meaningful for non-finance stakeholders.

What theyre looking for

• Qualified (CIMA / ACCA / ACA)
• Experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment
• Strong standard costing, management accounting and analytical skills
• Exposure to ERP systems
• A proactive approach and the confidence to work closely with operational teams

The opportunity

This role offers the chance to move into a genuine operational finance position where you can influence performance and see the impact of your work.

Gilkes offers flexible working that is onsite in Kendal, a supportive culture and the opportunity to be part of a well-established local business with strong growth plans.

Benefits

Salary £50,000-£55,000, Flexible Working Scheme (core hours and finish half day Friday- 37.5 hours across the week), Generous Pension Scheme (Employer 10% contribution & employee 4%), Enhanced Family Leave, Cycle to Work Scheme, Life Insurance, Access to OH / EAP, company sick pay, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more!)

Next steps

For more information or a confidential conversation, please get in touch with James at Turver Jones. xbpsjku

Interviews to be conducted from week commencing 9th March

Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon Limited has appointed Turver Jones as its exclusive recruitment partner for this position. Any direct applications or inquiries will be forwarded to Turver Jones as part of the retained search agreement