Operations Finance Manager - JFS

Operations Finance Manager

Location:          Johnstone’s Food Services, East Kilbride 

Shift:                  Weekdays

Finsbury Food Group is one of the UK's leading speciality bakery manufacturers, supplying a broad range of bakery products across retail and foodservice. Our success is built on innovation, operational excellence, and the talented people who make it happen every day.

As Finance Manager, you will play a key role as the finance business partner for our East Kilbride manufacturing site. Working closely with the Site Lead and operational leadership team, you will provide financial insight and support decision-making, improve performance, and drive continuous improvement across the site.

You will join a collaborative, close-knit finance team, managing one direct report while building strong relationships with stakeholders across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Group Finance and the wider business. This is a highly visible leadership role, offering genuine influence over operational decisions and exposure to senior leaders across the Group.

The role is initially site-based to support your onboarding and understanding of the operation. Once established in the role, you will transition to a hybrid working arrangement, with a minimum of three days per week based on site.

This is a fast-paced manufacturing environment where no two days are the same. You will balance day-to-day financial support with longer-term improvement initiatives, helping the business identify opportunities, manage risks, and deliver strong financial performance while maintaining robust financial controls.

This is what you'll actually do!

As Operations Finance Manager, you will be the trusted finance partner for the East Kilbride site, providing meaningful financial insight that helps operational teams make informed business decisions. You will take ownership of the site's financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting and month-end processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial information is delivered to support business performance. You will monitor key financial metrics including costs, payroll, stock, cash, EBITDA and capital expenditure, identifying risks and opportunities while supporting operational teams with financial analysis and performance improvement.

Working closely with the Site Lead and wider leadership team, you will use your financial and operational understanding to support decisions, improve financial outcomes and help deliver site objectives. You will also contribute to strategic projects, capital investment proposals and continuous improvement initiatives, helping drive efficiencies, automation and best practice across the business.

Alongside your business partnering responsibilities, you will maintain strong financial controls, ensure compliance with internal processes, and provide clear financial guidance to both finance and non-finance stakeholders. You will also take responsibility for managing and developing one direct report, providing coaching, support and leadership while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. Your work will have a direct impact on the success of the site, making this an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys combining financial expertise with hands-on operational support and leadership.

Ideally this is you!

• ICAS, ACCA or CIMA qualified
• Previous finance experience within FMCG, food manufacturing or a similar manufacturing environment (essential)
• Strong experience in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and financial control
• A solid understanding of manufacturing cost drivers, operational performance and supporting business decisions
• Experience working closely with operational stakeholders and confidently providing financial insight and challenge at all levels
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify risks, opportunities and areas for continuous improvement
• Comfortable balancing strategic initiatives with day-to-day operational support
• Experience managing or developing team members
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills
• Proactive, driven and focused on improving business performance

What's in it for you?

• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival!
• Enhanced Pension Scheme
• Death in Service Benefit
• Free Employee Assistance Programme (available to colleagues and their families)
• Retail discounts through our Benefits Hub platform
• Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral, T&Cs apply)
• Employee Recognition Awards
• Extensive Learning & Development opportunities, including sponsored professional memberships and in-house development programmes
• Hybrid working available once fully established in the role
• The opportunity to be part of a successful, growing organisation with genuine opportunities for career development

Our vision is to be the leading speciality bakery group in the UK, and we know our continued success depends on the talented people who work here. We are passionate about investing in our people, supporting career development, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. If you're looking for a role where you can influence business performance, partner with senior operational leaders, and make a real impact within a growing manufacturing business, we'd love to hear from you.