Finance Director role for a growing SME in South Manchester, that sits on the board and will lead the financial strategy and operations of a well-established organisation in the industrial and manufacturing sector.
Client Details
We are working with a well‑established, profitable manufacturing business with turnover of approximately £12m, in South Manchester. The company operates in a technically complex manufacturing environment where margin control, costings discipline and operational insight are critical to performance.
The business is entering its next phase of development and requires a Finance Director who can act as a true commercial business partner to the Board - bringing insight, challenge and financial leadership, while maintaining strong financial controls.
The Board has ambitions to grow the business past the £20m turnover mark, and the Finance Director will have a key role to play in achieving that goal.
This role would suit:
* A high‑calibre first‑time Finance Director, or
* A Finance Director seeking their second FD role in a smaller, owner‑led environment.
Description
This Finance Director role, reports in to the Managing Director and will take full ownership of the finance function and play a key role in shaping strategic and operational decision‑making across the business.
Key responsibilities include:
Strategic & Commercial Leadership
* Act as a key member of the Board, providing robust challenge, independent thinking and commercial insight.
* Support the Managing Director and Board with strategic planning, scenario modelling and investment appraisals.
* Translate financial data into clear, actionable insight for non‑finance stakeholders.
* Influence decision‑making across pricing, product mix, capital expenditure and growth initiatives.
Manufacturing Finance & Costings
* Full ownership of product costing models, standard costing, variance analysis and margin control.
* Work closely with operations to understand manufacturing processes, yields, waste and efficiencies.
* Drive continuous improvement in gross margin, cost control and operational performance.
* Ensure costings and operational KPIs are robust, transparent and well understood by the Board.
Financial Control & Reporting
* Lead the production of high‑quality monthly management accounts, board packs and performance reporting.
* Own the budgeting, forecasting and rolling cashflow processes.
* Maintain strong balance sheet discipline, working capital management and cashflow forecasting.
* Ensure appropriate financial controls, governance and compliance frameworks are in place.
Stakeholder Management
* Lead relationships with banks, auditors, advisors and external stakeholders.
* Present confidently to lenders and support banking relationships and facility management.
* Act as Company Secretary where appropriate.
Leadership & Team Development
* Lead, develop and motivate the finance team.
* Create a finance function that is respected, commercial and operationally aligned.
* Promote a culture of accountability, accuracy and continuous improvement.
Profile
A successful Finance Director should have:
* Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA).
* Strong background in manufacturing finance, with deep understanding of costings and margin drivers.
* Proven experience operating at senior level (FD, Head of Finance, Financial Controller ready for step‑up).
* Experience working closely with MDs, boards and senior leadership teams.
* Demonstrated ability to challenge constructively, influence decisions and hold firm when required.
Job Offer
* Base salary between £90,000 and £100,000 (DOE, potential for higher)
* Company car
* Bonus - on target 25% and stretch target 37.5%
* 10 employer pension contribution
* 25 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays (with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days per year)
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