Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.
What does the role look like?
We're recruiting an exciting Finance Controller role to be responsible for our Civil Aerospace business. We're looking for a transformational leader who has worked in complex environments previously.
You will lead the finance function for business units with a turnover of up to 300million across two product focused P&L's and a central operation acting as an internal Supplier.
Reporting into the UK Finance Director, You will be instrumental in supporting the Site Leadership Team in delivering its short and long term financial targets through the appropriate insight, analysis and strategic direction; maximising operational performance while focusing on areas of margin expansion and cost reduction to support value creation.
What will your day-to-day responsibilities look like?
Lead, develop and manage the Civil finance team to ensure high performance and accountability
Deliver accurate and timely monthly management accounts, variance analysis, and KPIs.
Developing key root cause analysis and an action plan to mitigate any variances
Own the annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and long-range planning process.
Own the scenario planning and sensitivity analysis (eg material cost inflation, FX, program impact).
Support various functional teams (Operations, Programmes, Engineering etc) with cost control, margin analysis, and business cases.
Translate financial insights into operational levers and drivers to maximise performance.
Ensure compliance with Safran Group financial policies, statutory requirements, and internal controls
Act as a strategic partner with supply chain, operations, programmes and engineering to drive efficiencies and support project delivery, cost control, margin expansion and business case development.
Manage cashflow forecasting, working capital, and treasury processes
Continuously improve financial processes, reporting tools, and ERP system utilisation
What will you bring to the role?
Essential skills:
Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent)
Proven experience in a senior finance role within a manufacturing or similar environment
Excellent financial planning, analysis, and reporting skills
Ability to digest and manipulate complex data sets to translate into meaningful information.
Desirable skills:
Experience working in a matrixed or global organisation
Knowledge of Aerospace or GAAP
Experience with digital finance transformation or automation tools
Exposure to capital investment analysis and cost accounting
Lean / continuous improvement mindset