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Smiths Detection is a division of Smiths Group Plc, a FTSE 100 Company operating in more than 50 countries and employing over 23,000 people. The business is a world leader in the design and manufacturing of xray detection equipment into the transportation, military and other markets. You would not have been able to board a plane, without our products scanning you and your baggage.

Based at our Centre of Excellence in Hemel Hempstead, we operate a hybrid working model, minimum of 2 days a week in the office.

As Commercial & Programmes controller, you will be responsible for managing the sales forecasting (Order Intake, Revenue & Margin) processes and all programme accounting for the NW Europe region (UK, Ireland and Israel). Sales forecasting occurs in a variety of ways: 5 year strategic plan, annual budget, formal revised forecasts and monthly rolling forecast.

This role is responsible for keeping all those forecasts aligned and up to date with the latest commercial information and providing variance explanations as required. A large part of Smiths Detection’s revenue comes from programme sales of equipment; this role will need to forecast that revenue (in accordance with IFRS15) and ensure appropriate revenue recognition occurs at month end, as well as maintaining programmes accounting closing balances (deferred revenue, WIP, Unbilled etc).

Duties and Responsibilities (Includes but not limited to)

* Oversea the maintenance of the rolling monthly Market Review forecast for Order Intake and Revenue looking forward 18 months for the NW Europe market [UK, Ireland & Israel].

* Stay up to date on developments with Programmes, Sales, Marketing & Operations to understand status of Orders & Revenue and ensure the rolling forecasts, annual budget, programmes accounting and invoicing is updated accordingly.

* Flag significant issues to NW Europe market management where appropriate. Explain & justify movements in Forecast and differences vs. actual numbers booked.

* Manage all IFRS15 issues (in conjunction with the UK Financial Controller) related to Programmes, to ensure accounting & forecast accuracy.

* Monthly review of all programmes balances (WIP, deferred revenue, unbilled), raising accruals or other entries as appropriate. Stay current on global commercial initiatives (new products, current strategy etc) to advise of impacts for NW Europe market, actively contributing towards the forecast & Budget process.

* Manage preparation of weekly KPIs for Market Head & monthly Market Review presentations and data submissions to Divisional HQ.

* Support UK Financial Controller with commercial variance explanations required for internal reporting and external audit purposes.

* Preparation of financial modelling supporting bids & tenders for programmes. Support Sales with reviews of detail of pricing quoted in tender documents for accuracy.

* Ensure all internal controls and accounting policies regarding programmes accounting and bids & tenders are followed. Recommend improvements to the same where appropriate. Develop close working relationships in a cross-functional market matrix team to enable good communication & understanding of issues.

* Lead Revenue and Order Intake for the annual Budget & Strat Plan (5-year forecast) process.

* Use Smiths Excellence System LEAN tools to actively refine and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the forecasting & budgeting process.

* Monitor & drive improvements in SAP data accuracy entered by Sales and Ops teams. Work with Order-to-Invoice team to ensure all programme invoicing occurs on schedule.

* Manage a team delivering all of the above.

About you

* Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA ,CIMA or equivalent)

* Good knowledge or experience of IFRS standards, especially IFRS15 accounting for programmes with detailed knowledge of IncoTerms and related revenue recognition issues.

* Experience of commercial sales forecasting & analysis for decision making.

* Commercially astute and used to working in an international, matrix environment.

* Professional, succinct and confident communicator to senior leadership.

* Good MS office / Excel, SAP and management information systems (Oracle EPBCS) skills.

* Detailed knowledge of SAP programme accounting; WBS structures, ZPLANS and reporting.

* Foreign language skills (especially Hebrew) an advantage.

Please note, due to the sensitive nature of the projects you will be working on, we would have to put successful applicant through UK SC level clearance - we are unable to sponsor for this role