Summary of the Financial Planning & Analysis Manager role

As the Group Financial Planning & Analysis Manager you will report directly to the VP of Finance. This is a fully remote role where the ideal candidate will be based near Newcastle, Deeside, Liverpool, Chester or Manchester.

You will use financial analysis and financial acumen to give insights on business performance to business management, stakeholders and external parties and support our global sites across the UK, Europe and USA therefore there will be an expectation to travel as and when required.

Who Are We?

We are a fast-growing global pharmaceutical CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation), with more than 50 years' experience in developing and manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). We are a proven and trusted partner to some of the world's most innovative biotechs and leading pharmaceutical companies and are widely recognised for our expertise in complex and hazardous chemistry.

We are a dynamic business, employing more than 1300 talented and passionate people in the UK, US and Europe who together support our customers in bringing new medicines to market, improving and saving the lives of patients. We support our customers through the full product lifecycle from pre-clinical development right up to full scale commercial manufacturing and today we are proud to have built a culture of excellence in science and unrivalled service.

Your responsibilities

• Preparing long-range plans; LRP (P&L, balance sheet, cash) and ensuring these are updated in line with regular forecasting cycles. Major review points are Revenue, Gross Margin, Labour and Overheads.
• Analysing major products and customers, sales mix, net working capital and order intake analysis.
• Annual budget cycle: -
  • Ensuring all trading entities prepare and report annual budgets on a consistent basis, ensuring timetables are achieved and deliverables are satisfied.
  • Preparing initial budget assumptions (e.g. foreign exchange (FX) rates, inflation assumptions) after agreement and challenge with key stakeholders.
  • Consolidating and reporting variances to long-range plan (LRP) baselines and current year.
• Monthly forecasting cycle: -
  • Comparing annual forecasts on a rolling monthly basis, vs budget and previous forecasts.
• Supporting annual audits where required e.g. using long-range plans (LRP) for going concern and impairment testing.
• Group Selling General and Administrative (SG&A) cost centre reviews and supporting Group Selling General and Administrative (SG&A) heads.
• Embodying our company values; Be Transparent, Be Willing, Be Reliable and Be Caring.

Requirements for the role

• Previous experience within a global organisation would be preferred.
• Degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance or Business.
• ACCA, CIMA or ACA qualified.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred but not essential.
• Ideally a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience is preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of principles and practices of accounting, computerised accounting, systems and accounting data analysis.
• Excellent knowledge of principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting, budget preparation and submission.
• Advanced problem-solving capabilities.
• Consistent attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with employees in other departments.
• Must align to our company values; Be Transparent, Be Willing, Be Reliable and Be Caring.

Why Consider Us?

Our collaborative and empowering culture is unique to us and is what really sets us apart as a business and this is built upon our four core values: Be Transparent, Be Reliable, Be Willing and Be Caring. We also run a variety of programmes across our sites to promote health, wellbeing and work life balance, in addition to supporting causes and charities close to our employees' hearts, encouraging volunteering within the communities we are part of and even arranging socials, through our global social committees, to encourage team building and reward our team's hard work.

At Sterling we promote mutual trust and respect regardless of your nationality, background, feelings, beliefs, gender or age. Our workforce, much like life, is made up of many different people with many different backgrounds, needs and perspectives. This is something we celebrate at Sterling, as it makes Sterling a better place to work and encourages innovation and collaboration.

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package including bonus, pension scheme, private healthcare, Engagement Hub, cycle to work scheme, death in service coverage, on-site health and wellbeing support including medical consultations and physiotherapy, 24/7 employee assistance programme, employee referral scheme, sports and social club as well as opportunity for training and further career development.