Product Cost Controller

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

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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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

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