Finance Business Partner – Operations Support

Job

We are looking for a commercially focused Finance Business Partner to join our Preston manufacturing site as part of a wider Finance Team re-shape supporting our business vision to transform and strengthen our World Class Manufacturing (WCM) journey.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Finance Business Partner – Operations Support will provide financial insight, challenge, and support across key operational functions including Maintenance & Facilities, Technical & Transformation, Health & Safety, Quality, Operations Management, and our Development Unit Satellite Centre. The role will play a critical part in driving cost optimisation, improving business performance, supporting strategic decision-making, and embedding WCM Cost Deployment methodologies throughout the organisation.

The Person

You are a proactive and commercially minded finance professional who thrives in a manufacturing environment and enjoys partnering with operational stakeholders to drive performance improvements.

You will be comfortable challenging established ways of working, using data and financial insight to influence decisions, and supporting business leaders in achieving operational and financial objectives. You will possess strong analytical skills, excellent stakeholder management capabilities, and a passion for continuous improvement.

Experience within manufacturing, operations finance, standard costing environments, and business partnering is highly desirable. Exposure to World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Lean methodologies, or continuous improvement frameworks would be advantageous.

The Role

The Finance Business Partner – Operations Support will act as the key financial partner to operational support functions, providing robust financial analysis, reporting, forecasting, and strategic guidance.

The role will support the implementation of World Class Manufacturing principles through Cost Deployment methodologies, helping operational leaders identify opportunities to reduce total transformation costs, improve efficiency, and deliver sustainable business performance improvements.

Working closely with senior managers and functional leaders, the role will ensure financial decisions are aligned to business strategy whilst maintaining strong financial controls and governance.

Responsibilities

Business Partnering & Strategic Support

• Provide financial support and challenge to the functional heads of Maintenance, Technical & Transformation, Quality, and Health & Safety.

• Support the Development Unit Satellite Centre based in Preston with financial insight and decision support.

• Use commercial acumen to influence business stakeholders and support strategic decision-making.

• Provide financial input into strategic initiatives, projects, and investment decisions.

• Play a key role within the WCM Cost Deployment Pillar, supporting the reduction of total transformation costs through the Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Professional Maintenance (PM) pillars.

Financial Analysis & Insight

• Deliver meaningful financial analysis and insights that connect financial performance to operational and business strategies.

• Develop and monitor KPIs aligned to BDR Group and World Class Manufacturing standards.

• Drive improved business performance by embedding WCM Cost Deployment methodologies into business-as-usual activities.

• Conduct detailed analysis of maintenance spend, including planned versus unplanned expenditure.

• Support financial evaluations relating to new product development, capital investments, and project business cases.

• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities to improve cost and cash performance.

Financial Reporting

• Improve the quality, relevance, and impact of management reporting.

• Embed WCM Cost Deployment as a foundation for management reporting processes.

• Deliver reporting and analysis on operational support indirect costs.

• Perform variance analysis against budgets and forecasts, providing clear commentary and recommendations.

• Participate in root cause analysis of cost variances, waste, losses, maintenance breakdowns, rework, and defects.

• Validate and report on cost-saving initiatives, including the use of the F Matrix methodology.

• Review actual performance against forecasts and drive corrective actions where required.

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Support the annual budgeting and forecasting process.

• Develop and manage operational support indirect cost budgets.

• Lead and deliver monthly manufacturing forecast processes.

• Ensure financial plans accurately reflect operational requirements and business strategy.

Financial Control & Governance

• Implement and maintain effective financial controls and commercial procedures.

• Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies, and governance requirements.

• Identify and mitigate financial risks across operational processes.

• Ensure adherence to Group Accounting Manual requirements and standard costing guidelines.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement improvements to financial reporting, planning, forecasting, and control processes.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives aligned to World Class Manufacturing principles.

• Drive greater accuracy, visibility, and efficiency in financial processes and performance management.

Requirements

Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience.

• Previous experience in a Finance Business Partner or commercial finance role.

• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting skills.

• Experience partnering with operational stakeholders and influencing decision-making.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capabilities.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Desirable

• Manufacturing or engineering sector experience.

• Experience working within a standard costing environment.

• Knowledge of World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Lean Manufacturing, or Continuous Improvement methodologies.

• Experience supporting maintenance, technical, quality, or operational functions.

• Exposure to capital investment appraisal and project business case development.

About BAXI

We're leading the energy transition to zero carbon by offering complete residential and commercial heating and hot water solutions. As one team across the UK and Ireland, and with the backing of our global parent company, BDRThermeaGroup, we work together with a collective knowledge and expertise that's literally centuries in the making.

We're proud of our heritage, manufacturing in the UK since 1866, and we're experienced in adapting to changing needs.

Locations:
Preston – Home to our Manufacturing since 1866 – Bamber Bridge – PR5 6FN
Warwick – Home to our commercial Services – Brook House – CV34 4LL

Our Benefits

Our package is made up of a competitive basic salary plus a variable incentive. We also offer:

• 25 days holiday plus UK Bank Holidays

• Income Protection

• Contributory Pension Scheme

• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Sick Pay Schemes

• Staff Discounts

• Employee Benefits Platform

• Career Development Opportunities

• And much more

Our Approach