Manager - Financial Controlling

About the Position

Do you want to work for some of the world’s leading audio brands? Become a part of the HARMAN team and get to work for our Sound United Business Unit.

By joining HARMAN, you'll dive headfirst into the exciting world of headphones, portable speakers, party boxes, and other audio technologies, and contribute to the success of Harman Lifestyle EMEA business. The consumer audio industry is fast-paced, fun, and dynamic, and we’re looking for someone who is proactive, loves to work with a lot of different stakeholders from all over the globe, and has creative ideas.

You will join our Sound United Business Unit with iconic brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Classé, and Boston Acoustics, based in Worthing, UK, in the position of:

Manager - Financial Controlling

About the Role

We are seeking a Manager - Financial Controlling to support our premier UK manufacturing site in Worthing, West Sussex, UK. The plant manufactures a variety of Harman products, including the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond and Nautilus loudspeakers.

You will be the key Finance business partner to the Plant Manager and will be the go-to person for all things Manufacturing Finance for the Worthing site. This is a highly visible role and is a valued member of the Global Manufacturing Controlling organization at Harman.

You will be responsible for ensuring the plant’s profitability and competitiveness, shared hand-in-hand with the Plant Manager. This role will supervise a staff of 2 (Asst. Plant Controller and Plant Analyst). The successful candidate will report directly to the Global Manufacturing Controller.

Responsibilities

Spend Analysis and Control

• Create and distribute weekly and monthly spending reports, by department, highlighting opportunities for improvement. Support analysis and commentary of drivers behind variances, month to month vs. prior year, and forecast and budget.
• Review production variances (materials & labor) with plant leader and assist in driving to root cause.
• Track labor efficiencies and work closely with plant leader to boost labor productivity.
• Track material PPV, scrap, inventory adjustments, and subcontractor waste and work closely with procurement and plant management to attain higher material productivity.
• Perform make vs. buy analyses to 1) judge competitiveness of internal processes and evaluate merits of in-sourcing vs. outsourcing; 2) support efforts to secure volumes from other Harman divisions as a cost-competitive internal contract manufacturer.
• Establish and maintain robust internal controls; this includes ensuring compliance to Harman GAR for all expenditures.
• Monitor spending on key categories to include maintenance, supplies, and consumables, and support company initiatives to reduce spending.
• Work with plant management team to develop a database of cost out opportunities.
• Develop and publish tracking reports to monitor cost out activities and progress to plan.

Actuals, Forecasts, and Annual Budget

• Provide Actuals based monthly reporting, including load, spend by category, and manufacturing cost variances.
• Ensure that all required accruals and capitalizations are performed at each financial Close.
• Utilizing Actuals and S&OP data, update monthly Forecast and provide to management.
• Prepare the annual budget, including updates to labor and overhead rates, standard cost by unit, and work closely with engineering and plant management to contemplate any changes to standard times on the financials. Develop annual Capex plan, as well as Inventory Plan for the facility.
• Update COGS allocation schema for any changes in shared service support for plant operations.
• Cost any new products and perform quarterly review by SKU of cost per cost element, standard versus actual YTD.

Inventory, Fixed Assets, Working Capital

• Ensure performance of regular inventory cycle counts and period-end physicals in line with corporate instructions, document results, and suggest improvements.
• Perform fixed asset physical in line with corporate instructions.
• Collaborate with procurement, plant management, and supply chain to identify areas for working capital improvements.
• Develop capital expenditure budget together with plant management and publish monthly tracking report to show progress to plan. This includes by-project CIP tracking, and adherence to Harman GAR for any over-runs, ensuring that proper approvals are granted pre-spend.
• Ensure that all items which warrant capitalization are properly capitalized and assigned to the proper cost center for depreciation purposes.

Team Management

• Manage team and hire new staff as required.
• Role model interpersonal maturity, leadership presence, and financial stewardship.
• Nurture and develop team talent and bench strength.

Requirements

• BS in Accounting or Finance.
• Extensive hands-on experience as a Plant Controller in a manufacturing company.
• Manufacturing ERP (SAP) experience.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel required.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Sets tone for financial excellence and interpersonal maturity for this very key role in plant leadership.
• High energy and strong curiosity, with a penchant for troubleshooting and problem resolution.
• Comfortable walking the manufacturing floor daily.
• Shows consistency in purpose and follow-through on action items and deliverables. Extremely dependable and reliable.
• High quotient for teamwork and collaboration. Understands integral contribution this role plays within global Finance.

Nice to Have

• Chartered Accountant Certification or Top Tier Audit Firm experience.
• MBA.
• SAP S4/HANA experience.

What We Offer

• Exceptional employee discounts on our legendary products across all brands.
• Enjoy a competitive salary.
• Receive a generous holiday allowance.
• We offer private medical insurance, a cycle to work scheme, and generous employee referral bonuses – we believe in true collaboration and feeling part of something special.
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University.
• Competitive wellness benefits.
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.

About HARMAN

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners, and each other.

If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!