Assistant Product Cost Specialist

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Primary Purpose and key responsibilities of the Role:

Thales is a leading force both in the UK and globally, operating in several markets - aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space.

Integrated Airspace-protection Systems (IAS) operates primarily within the defence market delivering equipment & services, but also has a presence in the space market building satellite propulsion systems. The IAS business is predominantly based in Belfast and Templecombe. With the finance team at the Belfast site, this role will be Belfast based.

IAS finance is now searching for a talented individual to join the team an Assistant Product Cost Specialist. As a Assistantg Product Cost Specialist you will be responsible for supporting the correct financials across key contracts via detailed analysis & support to a portfolio of products along with other financial responsibilities. The role is broad and will be a challenging & rewarding opportunity where your contribution to the team will have a real impact on the success of the business as a whole.

Main responsibilities:

• Assist Finance function, analysis and support across the team.
• Assist product accountants and product manager’s in the preparation of monthly review packs
• Prepare product analysis & cost variance reports and propose corrective action(s)
• Liaise with/deputise for finance project accountant(s) to ensure contract reporting is timely, accurate and risks & opportunities are presented for consideration at MPS/QPRs
• Providing timely and accurate financial data to support successful management of the business
• Prepare product estimates for Multi Year Budget & rolling monthly forecast information
• Prepare analysis to support product UPC
• Work closely with the wider IAS finance team providing advice & support, assisting with invoicing.
• Assist in the development of IT tools, reporting techniques and skills
• Ensure financial integrity and adherence to process (UK GAAP, Chorus 2.0)
• Pro-actively supporting the product teams
• Provide TM1 Input support for rolling forecast/ MYB
• Provide key inputs for the production of internal and external audit requirements
• Carrying out month end processing activities, completing product analysis, monthly accruals and reports
• Providing timely and accurate financial data to support successful management of the business, including production of monthly and ad-hoc financial reports
• Suggest continuous governance improvement

Skills and Experience

Essential

• You must be highly motivated and passionate about your ability to bring value
• You must have ability to interact & communicate complex issues
• You have track record of being able to quickly assimilate and analyse technical, financial & commercial data/information
• You have two years’ experience in providing financial/technical analysis in a moving technical environment
• You must be highly proficient in MS Excel or other data management tools
• ICAI, ACCA, CIMA or ACCA (or equivalent) or, proven relevant experience in a financial/accounting background providing leadership with evidence of establishing continuous improvement and delivery.
• You must have strong IT skills, highly proficient in MS Excel
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the potential along with the challenges of delivering high quality financial operations
• Or, proven relevant experience in a financial/accounting/manufacturing environment.

Desirable

• You should be a keen team player, energetic self-starter with a pro-active and challenging approach to issues
• You might have good practical/working understanding of ERP systems (ideally Oracle),
• You have understanding and relevant experience of programme/contract/product accounting

About You

• You are able to assimilate and analyse technical, financial & commercial data/information
• You have experience in providing financial analysis in a moving technical environment

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In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

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