Program Finance Lead

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

The Program Finance Lead supports a new program as it transitions into production. This role owns product costing, variance analysis, forecasting, and operational finance support. The position partners closely with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure accurate costs, strong financial controls, and a successful production ramp-up.

Onsite in Wellington, KS.

Job Responsibilities

Program & Production Finance

• Own program P&L visibility from first part introduction through steady-state production.
• Maintain standard costs (materials, labor, overhead).
• Analyze PPV, usage, mix, labor efficiency/productivity, scrap, and absorption variances with root-cause and action plans.
• Partner with operations to model throughput scenarios, capacity constraints, and ramp curves; quantify financial impact.

Forecasting & Modeling

• Lead monthly forecast cycle for the program (volume, material, labor, overhead, launch spend).
• Build driver-based models and scenario analyses.
• Develop product-level margin analytics and cost improvement recommendations.

Inventory & Supply Chain Finance

• Ensure inventory accuracy (WIP, FG) and support valuation and Non-Conforming/E&O reserves.
• Track tooling, launch costs, and capital investments.
• Support supplier cost changes and freight analysis.

Operational Finance Support

• Establish financial SOPs for variance reviews and month-end processes.
• Create Excel-based dashboards for production, scrap, labor, and cost data.
• Participate in daily/weekly tier meetings; drive clear corrective actions tied to financial outcomes.
• Convert complex financials into clear narratives for operators and leadership.

Controls & Month-End Close

• Validate ERP transaction flows and resolve discrepancies.
• Own program-related journal entries, reserves, and reconciliations.
• Support internal/external audits and maintain strong control documentation.

Job Qualifications

Required

• 6–10+ years in Finance/Accounting with manufacturing or operations finance focus.
• Strong cost accounting skills (standard costing, BOM/routings, variance analysis, inventory valuation).
• Advanced Excel skills (modeling, pivots, data analysis).
• ERP experience; understands transaction flows to financials.
• Excellent cross-functional communication; comfortable on the floor and in leadership meetings.
• Ability to build processes in an evolving environment.

Preferred

• Experience supporting new program introduction (NPI).
• Lean/Six Sigma or manufacturing KPI familiarity.
• Prior leadership or mentoring experience.

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.