Head Financial Operations / Costing

SUMMARY:
Head of Finance Operations – EMEA
A leading global organisation within the engineering and manufacturing sector is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Finance Operations to join their high-performing team. This is a strategic finance leadership role, focused on driving operational excellence across the region’s manufacturing footprint.
Reporting to a Senior Director, the successful candidate will oversee the cost accounting function across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The role demands a confident, analytical leader with a strong track record in cost management and operational finance within complex manufacturing environments. A CIMA qualification is highly advantageous.

IF YOU DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM CRITERIA, PLEASE DO NOT APPLY. THIS IS A SENIOR EXECUTIVE LEVEL ROLE.

POSITION INFO:

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and standardise cost accounting processes across the EMEA region
• Enforce divisional costing principles and policies, ensuring understanding and compliance across operational teams
• Analyse and report on operational performance, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement
• Manage the regional cost roll process, validating changes and ensuring accuracy
• Drive financial performance through proactive KPI monitoring, early-warning systems, and gap analysis
• Engage closely with cross-functional leaders in operations, business, and finance
• Promote and uphold a zero-harm, world-class safety culture

Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance as well as CIMA
• A minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience in cost or management accounting, ideally within a multinational engineering or heavy manufacturing business. Ideally more than 5 years experience is required, as this is a senior role with exceptional responsibility
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to present insights and recommendations to senior leadership
• Experience with SAP ERP is highly advantageous
• Proven ability to interpret technical and regulatory material, and translate complex data into actionable business intelligence