Job Description

Finance Manager

Permanent, full-time role | Competitive salary and benefits
Location: Australia - Queensland - Murarrie
Career development: Grow your expertise in a successful and expanding industry
Professional growth: Gain valuable experience in a dynamic and evolving role
We support flexible working arrangements

We’re looking for a Senior Specialist – Financial Planning & Analysis “Finance Manager” to join our trusted, global Animal Health organisation. This is a permanent, full-time role based in Australia with flexible hybrid working arrangements.

You’ll play a key part in driving financial performance by partnering with site leadership, providing insights, managing budgets and forecasts, and supporting strategic decision-making. It's a hands-on, commercially focused role suited to someone who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

What You Will Do

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Deliver regular financial performance updates, insights and analysis, engaging with site leaders to ensure results are clearly understood and actions taken where needed.
• Prepare and analyse monthly operating results, forecasts and financial reports. You’ll be required to summarise findings, provide commentary, and meet reporting deadlines.
• Collaborate with site leadership and regional/global teams to develop financial forecasts and budgets – including capital and P&L.
• Identify opportunities for manufacturing efficiencies and cost savings. Actively track initiatives to support delivery of savings targets.
• Participate in regular site operations meetings and provide financial input.
• Act as a trusted finance partner, offering proactive commercial insights to support strong business performance.
• Provide support to the regional FP&A team when needed.

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) & Costing Support:

• Review and define standard costs in coordination with the global COSI and other functional teams.
• Develop hourly labour rates for budgeting and standard costing and analyse variances.
• Assist with product costing for new business, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Provide margin evaluation data and support CCP (Critical Control Point) product reviews.
• Support costing for new product launches, site transfers and other commercial evaluations.

Working Capital & Asset Management:

• Evaluate fixed asset acquisitions, prepare business cases, ensure approvals per GOA, and support the asset capitalisation process.
• Assist with periodic fixed asset counts, liaising with site operations to ensure accuracy and proper documentation for any discrepancies.
• Conduct IQV analysis – assess inventory health in collaboration with procurement and site operations, manage monthly provisions for obsolescence, and participate in S&OP meetings.
• Support regular stocktakes, work with finance and site teams on analysis and resolution of variances.
• Respond to audit queries relating to financial budgets, inventory valuation and standard costing.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and reporting standards.

What You Must Have

Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, Economics or related discipline
• An MBA is highly regarded

Certifications:

• CA or CPA qualified

Experience:

• Strong background in cost and management accounting
• Experience supporting manufacturing/production site operations (essential)
• Experience within a global business environment
• In-depth understanding of accounting principles, financial planning, budgeting, and risk analysis
• Proven skills in product costing and capital project evaluation
• Advanced MS Office skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Proficiency in SAP FICO and Production modules
• Experience of working with Site Leadership and Site Operations Team supporting operational needs

What You Can Expect

• Work with autonomy while being part of a collaborative, global team
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
• Flexible work environment and exposure to a wide range of experiences
• A supportive and professional culture within a respected Animal Health organisation

Join a trusted global leader in Animal Health and take your career to the next level!

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Accounting, Accounting, Adaptability, Business Financial Planning, Business Opportunities, Business Partnerships, Business Planning, Business Reviews, Cost Accounting, Cost Budgeting, Cost Management, Data Forecasting, Data Visualization, Detail-Oriented, Economic Research, Economics, Finance, Finance Strategy, Financial Advising, Financial Analysis, Financial Budgeting, Financial Forecasting, Financial Management, Financial Modeling, Financial Performance {+ 18 more}

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

06/12/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.