Plant Controller

at  Zotefoams

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Zotefoams plc is a world leader in cellular material technology, headquartered in Croydon, UK, with additional manufacturing sites in Kentucky, USA and Brzeg, Poland, Oklahoma, USA (foam products manufacture and conversion), Massachusetts, USA and Stilling, Denmark (microcellular foam technology) and Jiangsu Province, China (T-FIT).
We produce lightweight foams for various markets including sports and leisure, aviation, automotive and healthcare. Zotefoams also owns and licenses patented technology and sells advanced insulation systems. The business is also investing in a revolutionary packaging technology solution, branded ReZorce®, which is both fully recyclable and largely circular.
The Company is on a fast growth path, with strong revenue & profitability growth in recent years and ambitious growth plans for the near future.

EXPERIENCE AND DESIRABLE SKILLS:

• 3+ years’ experience in manufacturing, preferably as a cost & manufacturing accountant or plant controller
• Experience calculating and managing standard costs
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles relevant to manufacturing
• Experience in deriving meaningful analysis from complex and plentiful data
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal to a range of stakeholders, including with senior executives and plant operatives
• Knowledge of investment appraisal, budgeting and forecasting
• Advanced Excel skills, experience with integrated ERP/MRP systems. Exposure to Microsoft AX is a plus
• High standards of accuracy and organisational skills

ABOUT THE ROLE:

In this role you will be the primary link between Finance and Operations where you will own all financial and management accounting activities related to operations, at both P&L and Balance Sheet level. In addition to supporting the Croydon operations Executive leader and the manufacturing team in improving operational efficiency and cost control. Finally, providing finance guidance and support to overseas group companies regarding manufacturing matters.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Close the monthly and annual accounts in all matters related to Croydon operations
• Perform the monthly cost and stock analysis and deliver reports on time and to a standard that enables effective decision making.
• Provide all relevant budget and forecast data related to Croydon operations
• Support the manufacturing team in designing and producing monthly cost reports:
• Identify meaningful cost variances / Financial KPIs and create cost reports
• Monitor key cost variances, highlight trends, analyse causes of unexpected variances and recommend improvements accordingly
• Provide analysis in both verbal and written form, both accurately and appropriately
• Be the main point of contact for manufacturing personnel with regards to all financial matters
• Manage and maintain the Company’s costing system, updating costs where appropriate and allocating/absorbing fixed overheads so that the costing system provides a reliable basis for management decision making.
• Manage the financial element of the stock system, including stock valuation, monitoring stock usage, calculation of stock provisions and financial management of stocktakes.
• Support and train a junior member of staff to assist with manufacturing costing processes
• Ensure compliance with the internal control processes as defined in the controller’s manual owned by the Group Financial Controller.
• Perform ad hoc financial analysis and project work such as product profitability or capital investment appraisal.
• Provide support to overseas finance teams regarding the management and maintenance of their respective costing systems.