About the Role
Join a growing manufacturer at a pivotal point in its finance transformation, where your leadership will directly shape how the business understands performance and makes decisions. This is a high-impact opportunity to step in as the Finance lead on site, build trust in the numbers, and drive a more commercial, business-partnering culture across operations. You will take ownership of the end-to-end financial reporting process, ensuring accurate, timely and robust management information that the Finance Director and wider leadership can rely on without challenge. Leading a developing team, you will embed stronger processes, drive automation, and support the transition from traditional financial accounting to a more forward-looking, insight-led function. Working closely with production and operational managers, you will act as a key bridge between finance and the shop floor in a complex 24/7 manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach and develop a multi-level finance team, setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback and building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Own the month-end and year-end reporting cycles, ensuring accurate P&L, balance sheet and cash reporting, and delivering clear, concise commentary to the Finance Director and senior stakeholders.
- Oversee and continuously improve core financial controls, processes and reconciliations to strengthen the integrity of financial data and reduce manual error.
- Partner with operational and production leaders to explain financial performance, analyse variances, and support decision-making on cost, efficiency and investment.
- Drive the adoption and utilisation of automation tools and the new ERP system, working closely with the process improvement/automation lead to streamline reporting and transactional activity.
- Coordinate budgeting and forecasting activities, challenging assumptions and ensuring alignment between operational plans and financial targets.
- Provide hands‑on support where needed across the team, stepping into detail on complex issues while maintaining a clear view of priorities and deadlines.
- Prepare and present financial insights, trends and risks to the Finance Director and, where required, the wider leadership team.
Key Requirements
- Proven experience in a Finance Manager, Senior Management Accountant or similar role within a manufacturing environment, with direct exposure to plant/operations.
- Demonstrable track record of managing and developing a small to mid-sized finance team, including performance management and mentoring.
- Strong financial accounting skills, with clear ownership of month-end close, balance sheet integrity and statutory-related processes.
- Confident business partnering ability, able to communicate clearly with non-finance stakeholders and challenge constructively.
- Comfortable operating in a mid-sized business (c. £50m-£100m turnover) with a hands‑on approach and willingness to get into the detail.
- Strong systems orientation, with experience working in an ERP-driven environment and using Excel/BI tools for reporting and analysis.
- Resilient, organised and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, 24/7 operational setting.
Desirable Skills
- Experience supporting or leading finance transformation, automation or process improvement initiatives.
- Prior involvement in an ERP implementation or major systems change, ideally within manufacturing.
- Background in aerospace, automotive or other complex, high-compliance manufacturing sectors.
- Experience presenting to senior leadership and contributing to operational or commercial decision-making forums.
Qualifications
- Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) preferred, or qualified by experience.
- Part-qualified or qualified by experience candidates considered where manufacturing and leadership experience are strong.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development in finance, leadership or process improvement is advantageous.
If you are a hands‑on, people-focused finance leader who wants to be the trusted No.2 to the Finance Director during a major transformation, this role offers the scope and visibility to make a lasting impact-apply now to explore this opportunity.
