Product Cost Controller

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. The product cost control team are based in the main manufacturing site in Castlereagh Belfast, however the successful candidate must be interchangeable with Belfast City Quays site and able to travel to other UK sites as required.

Thales IAS UK is now searching for a talented leader to join the team as the Product Cost Controller. As such, you will be responsible for shaping and providing accurate finances across a portfolio of products. The role is broad and will be a challenging & rewarding opportunity where your contribution will have a real impact on the success of the business as a whole.

As the Product Cost Controller, you will be central to the strategic financial leadership of product costing and budgeting, ensuring the product costs are accurately accounted for and optimally managed. You will lead a high-performing product account team, collaborate extensively across industry, programmes, finance, engineering functions, and embed financial rigor and innovation to drive programme profitability and compliance with SSRO and necessary commercial regulations.

Main responsibilities:

• Spearhead the strategic management of product cost accounting frameworks aligned with Thales’ objectives.
• Drive efficiency and enable value-added financial analytics by streamlining costing processes, enhancing reporting capabilities tailored for the IAS product portfolios.
• Lead & mentor the product accounting team, including Product Cost Specialists and Analysts, fostering technical excellence and awareness of defence sector financial compliance.
• Oversee the accurate delivery, analysis, and review of product Unit Product Costs (UPC) and monthly product cost portfolio accounts, ensuring financial integrity & rigour.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Manager’s, Project Managers, Industry Managers, and the wider IAS Finance function to support integrated business planning and programme cost management.
• Ensure timely preparation and rigorous validation of contract estimates, oversee Strategic Business Plans, Multi-Year Budgets, rolling forecasts completed by product cost specialists, providing critical input to support defence programme investment and risk assessment.
• Ensure visibility & compliance with SSRO (Single Source Regulations Office) reporting and related defence financial governance requirements, proactively identifying risks and implementing controls to safeguard programme integrity.
• Lead continual advancement in product costing methodologies and digital transformation initiatives by leveraging Oracle ERP, business intelligence portals, and bespoke defence financial reporting tools.
• Providing executive management with accurate and comprehensive financial information to guide effective policy making and financial strategizing.
• Ensure full adherence to UK GAAP, IFRS’s, Chorus 2.0, MOD contracting standards, and internal control policies; escalate governance issues and financial risk concerns to senior finance leadership.
• Provide expert financial guidance to project controls and programme management teams to optimize defence project delivery and audit readiness.
• Champion improvements in data quality and accounting practices to enhance forecasting accuracy and strategic decision making.
• Act as a strategic financial business partner and trusted advisor to senior management, delivering insightful business cases and cost analyses that inform critical defence investment and operational decisions.
• Foster a culture of compliance, innovation, and continuous improvement within the finance team, aligned with Thales’ commitment to excellence and learning company.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• You must be highly motivated, with a proven track record of shaping the direction of a manufacturing business.
• You must have excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders across the business.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload to meet agreed deadlines
• You must have five years’ relevant experience in a manufacturing environment, operating at a leadership level.
• You must have a strong knowledge of ERP systems (ideally Oracle), proven ability to transform & adapt effectively in a timely manner.
• You must be a fully qualified Accountant (e.g. via CIMA, ACA, ACCA, ICAI, etc.) or qualified by experience.

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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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