Senior Management Accountant

Job Title: Senior Management Accountant

Location: Blackburn (Hybrid)

Salary: £55,000-£60,000

Sowena Grou
p is delighted to be exclusively partnering with a high-growth, private equity-backed manufacturing business based in Blackburn to appoint a Senior Management Accountant. As the business continues to invest in its finance function and operational capability, this is an excellent opportunity to join a fast-paced manufacturing environment where finance plays a key role in driving commercial performance.

Reporting to the Operations Finance Controller, you'll work closely with operational leaders across the business, providing financial insight, supporting decision-making and ensuring robust financial control across the manufacturing operation. This is a highly visible role offering genuine exposure to senior stakeholders and the opportunity to influence business performance through meaningful financial analysis.

For a qualified accountant with a manufacturing background, this role offers the chance to combine operational finance, business partnering and management accounting within a business that continues to grow and invest in its people.

Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts, including full P&L and balance sheet analysis.

• Lead month-end close activities, including journals, accruals, prepayments and variance analysis.
• Ensure compliance with financial controls, policies and internal procedures.
• Support the year-end audit process and statutory reporting requirements.

• Act as a trusted finance partner to operational and site management teams.
• Provide financial insight and challenge to support commercial and operational decision-making.
• Work closely with production teams to analyse manufacturing efficiency, waste and yield performance.
• Support capital investment decisions through financial modelling and payback analysis.
• Deliver meaningful reporting on operational profitability and key performance indicators.

• Maintain and enhance standard costing models.
• Analyse labour, material and overhead variances, identifying opportunities to improve performance.
• Monitor inventory valuation and stock controls, ensuring accuracy across the manufacturing operation.
• Support cost reduction initiatives and continuous improvement projects.

• Lead budgeting and forecasting activities for operational areas.
• Partner with budget holders to develop robust financial plans.
• Monitor performance against budget and provide clear, actionable financial insights.

• Identify opportunities to improve financial reporting, controls and processes.
• Support finance transformation initiatives, automation and system enhancements.
• Drive efficiencies through improved analysis and reporting.

• Fully qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA accountant.
• Previous management accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, manufacturing finance and operational reporting.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with ERP systems.
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders outside offinance.
• Analytical, commercially minded and proactive, with excellent attention to detail.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities.

• Salary of £55,000-£60,000.
• Hybrid working.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Life assurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 GP access.
• Access to a comprehensive learning and development programmes
• Discount and benefits platform.
• The opportunity to join a growing, PE-backed business where finance is at the heart of operational and commercial decision-making, with genuine opportunities to progress as the organisation continues to evolve