Sewell Wallis is exclusively partnering with a manufacturing business based in Alfreton with a long-standing heritage in quality, who are looking for a Finance Director. Operating as a vertically integrated, product-led organisation, the business is entering a critical phase of strengthening financial discipline, improving operational alignment, and enhancing cash performance.
The Finance Director will play a central role in shaping the financial and operational future of the business. This is a high-impact role for a commercially minded finance leader who thrives in hands-on environments and is motivated by driving tangible business performance.
This is not a traditional stewardship role. The Finance Director will operate at the heart of the business, ensuring that financial insight directly drives decision-making across sales, production, and inventory.
What will you be doing?
Own and continuously enhance short-, medium-, and long-term cashflow forecasting
Maintain tight control over payment cycles, capital expenditure, and discretionary spend
Lead the annual budgeting process, defining a clear affordability envelope
Implement robust and dynamic forecasting aligned to commercial and operational realities
Track performance against budget, investment plans, and contingencies
Establish clear cost centre accountability across the business
Own the working capital strategy, with a strong focus on stock and debtor management
Partner with Sales, Production, and Operations to optimise inventory levels
Reduce obsolescence and improve stock turn and cash conversion
Increase visibility and control over stock risks and provisions
Align sales forecasts with production planning and capacity constraints
Support integrated planning processes (e.g. S&OP) to improve decision-making
Bring financial rigour to demand and supply planning
Provide insight into product profitability, margin, and cost drivers
Challenge pricing, discounting, and product mix where appropriate
Strengthen financial controls and ensure compliance with statutory requirements
Lead year-end processes, including key judgement areas such as stock provisions
Build and lead a high-performing, commercially focused finance function
Act as a trusted partner to the Managing Director and Board
Manage relationships with auditors, lenders, and external advisors What skills are we looking for?
You are a commercially astute Finance Director (or a high-calibre Head of Finance ready to step up) with a proven ability to operate at the intersection of finance and operations.
Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
Strong experience within manufacturing or product-led environments
Demonstrated success in improving financial performance and cash management
Track record of working closely with operational teams (production, supply chain, sales)
Experience in SME or owner-led businesses is highly advantageous
Deep understanding of cashflow, working capital, and stock dynamics
Strong planning, forecasting, and financial modelling skillsWhat's on offer?
c.£90,000 + car or car allowance
Pension salary sacrifice scheme
Initially office-based (first 3-6 months) to embed into the business
Hybrid working thereafter (minimum 2 days per week in the office)
36 days holiday (including public holidays)If you're looking for a role where you can genuinely influence business performance, drive operational discipline, and make a measurable impact, we would welcome a confidential conversation.
Apply for this role below or contact Kayley for more information.
To apply please send your CV, quoting our reference and specifying which website you saw this position advertised on. Due to the high volume of applications please accept that if we have not responded to your application within seven days, your application has not been successful. Sewell Wallis is a specialist recruitment company with a vast amount of experience in our industry we offer permanent, temporary and interim recruitment support for accounting and finance, human resources and business support positions. We recruit at all levels within finance from Purchase Ledger Administrator and Credit Controller level through to Financial Controller and Director positions. With offices in Sheffield and Leeds, we are well situated to cover all of South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Manchester. Please visit our website for more information on accountancy and finance jobs and human resources or business support positions