Finance Analyst Manufacturing & Operations

We are looking for a Finance Analyst III – Manufacturing & Operations to join a global industrial organisation supporting manufacturing and operations across an international business.

This role is ideal for a finance professional with strong analytical capabilities and experience partnering with manufacturing and operations teams. You will play a key role in financial planning, cost analysis, operational performance reporting and business decision support, helping drive efficiency, profitability and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.

Working closely with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain and Plant Leadership, you will provide insightful financial analysis, identify performance trends and support strategic initiatives that enhance operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Manufacturing and Operations teams to provide financial analysis and decision support.


• Prepare monthly operational and financial performance reports, identifying key trends, risks and opportunities.


• Support budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning processes for manufacturing operations.


• Analyse manufacturing costs, labour, overheads, inventory and production variances.


• Monitor key operational and financial KPIs, providing actionable recommendations to improve business performance.


• Support standard costing activities, cost roll processes and product cost analysis.


• Assist in evaluating capital expenditure projects, automation initiatives and operational improvement programmes.


• Perform variance analysis between actual results, forecasts and budgets, providing clear business insights.


• Support inventory management, working capital analysis and cost optimisation initiatives.


• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Procurement and Operations teams to improve financial visibility and operational efficiency.


• Contribute to continuous improvement projects aimed at enhancing financial reporting, processes and controls.


• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies, accounting standards and corporate procedures.


• Participate in month-end closing activities and financial reporting processes.


• Prepare business cases and financial models to support strategic operational decisions.


• Assist internal and external audit activities when required.

About You

You are a proactive finance professional who enjoys working in a manufacturing environment and partnering with operational stakeholders. You have strong analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to translate financial data into meaningful business insights.

You are comfortable working in a fast-paced international environment and thrive on solving complex operational challenges through data-driven decision-making.

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related discipline.


• 5+ years of experience in Finance, Controlling, FP&A or Manufacturing Finance.


• Experience supporting manufacturing, operations or supply chain functions.


• Strong understanding of cost accounting, standard costing and manufacturing finance principles.


• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.


• Strong analytical and financial modelling skills.


• Experience analysing manufacturing KPIs, operational performance and cost drivers.


• Knowledge of inventory accounting and working capital management.


• Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP.


• Advanced Excel skills; experience with Power BI or other reporting tools is advantageous.


• Strong understanding of IFRS or US GAAP is desirable.


• Fluent English is essential; German language skills are an advantage.

Personal Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.


• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.


• Business-oriented with a proactive and collaborative approach.


• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.


• Curious and driven to identify opportunities for operational improvement.


• Strong team player with a continuous improvement mindset.


• Results-oriented with a high level of accountability and integrity.

What You'll Be Doing

This role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of a global manufacturing organisation, partnering with operational leaders to improve financial performance and support strategic business decisions. You will gain broad exposure to manufacturing finance, operational excellence and cross-functional collaboration while contributing to the success of an international industrial business.