Nature's Best is a leading producer of fresh, vegetable-based Chilled Convenience Foods, supplying both branded and own-label products to major supermarkets across Ireland. With a focus on innovation, quality, and freshness, our state-of-the-art factory in Drogheda brings our "Farm to Fork" promise to life every day.
We are now hiring a Financial Analyst – Product & Process Costing, a key role that combines financial insight, manufacturing knowledge, and a hands-on approach to continuous improvement.
About the Role
You'll play a pivotal part in shaping the financial backbone of our operations—owning and optimising our product costings, supporting new product launches, and delivering insight to drive profitability across the business. This is not just a desk job—you'll spend up to 40% of your time on the factory floor collaborating with Production, Process Technology, and Operations to understand and capture real-time data that informs strategic decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
Business Partnering & Decision Support
* Collaborate with the Managing Director, Finance Director, and Factory Manager to support daily operational and strategic decisions.
* Lead financial analysis on capital investment, cost-saving initiatives, and innovation projects.
* Drive clarity and alignment on business performance using financial and non-financial KPIs.
Cost & Performance Analysis
* Own product costing and gross margin reporting by SKU.
* Build and implement a detailed Line and Product Efficiency Model.
* Analyse plant performance and manufacturing efficiency to identify improvement opportunities.
* Develop tools for costing new product launches in partnership with Commercial and Finance teams.
Reporting & Improvements
* Reconcile gross margins between Commercial and P&L.
* Deliver weekly and monthly margin reports with actionable insights.
* Maintain weekly price files and promotional costing analysis.
* Evaluate CAPEX proposals with clear financial recommendations.
Ad Hoc Projects
* Support system upgrades and reporting automation.
* Lead or assist in cross-functional improvement initiatives.
* Contribute to cost-saving and efficiency enhancement projects across departments.
What We're Looking For
Essential
* 3+ years' experience in financial planning, manufacturing accounting, or cost analysis within a manufacturing environment.
* Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, advanced charting, simulations).
* Experience with cost modelling, BOM clarity, variance analysis, and process costing.
* Excellent numerical accuracy, attention to detail, and communication skills.
* Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and operational KPIs.
* Experience working cross-functionally in a factory environment.
Desirable
* Degree in Accounting & Finance or Food Science.
* FMCG or food manufacturing background.
* Familiarity with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or similar data tools.
* Experience in system implementation or automation of financial reports.
What You'll Gain
* A varied and dynamic role split between strategic analysis and hands-on operational engagement.
* Opportunities to shape how we manage product profitability, costing transparency, and process efficiency.
* Exposure to leadership and high-impact business decisions.
* The chance to grow within a fast-paced, innovation-driven food production company.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person