1. Finance Director for a growing SME in South Manchester
2. This role plays a key role in the growth and strategy
About Our Client
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:
3. A high‑calibre first‑time Finance Director, or
4. A Finance Director seeking their second FD role in a smaller, owner‑led environment.
Job 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
5. Act as a key member of the Board, providing robust challenge, independent thinking and commercial insight.
6. Support the Managing Director and Board with strategic planning, scenario modelling and investment appraisals.
7. Translate financial data into clear, actionable insight for non‑finance stakeholders.
8. Influence decision‑making across pricing, product mix, capital expenditure and growth initiatives.
Manufacturing Finance & Costings
9. Full ownership of product costing models, standard costing, variance analysis and margin control.
10. Work closely with operations to understand manufacturing processes, yields, waste and efficiencies.
11. Drive continuous improvement in gross margin, cost control and operational performance.
12. Ensure costings and operational KPIs are robust, transparent and well understood by the Board.
Financial Control & Reporting
13. Lead the production of high‑quality monthly management accounts, board packs and performance reporting.
14. Own the budgeting, forecasting and rolling cashflow processes.
15. Maintain strong balance sheet discipline, working capital management and cashflow forecasting.
16. Ensure appropriate financial controls, governance and compliance frameworks are in place.
Stakeholder Management
17. Lead relationships with banks, auditors, advisors and external stakeholders.
18. Present confidently to lenders and support banking relationships and facility management.
19. Act as Company Secretary where appropriate.
Leadership & Team Development
20. Lead, develop and motivate the finance team.
21. Create a finance function that is respected, commercial and operationally aligned.
22. Promote a culture of accountability, accuracy and continuous improvement.
The Successful Applicant
A successful Finance Director should have:
23. Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA).
24. Strong background in manufacturing finance, with deep understanding of costings and margin drivers.
25. Proven experience operating at senior level (FD, Head of Finance, Financial Controller ready for step‑up).
26. Experience working closely with MDs, boards and senior leadership teams.
27. Demonstrated ability to challenge constructively, influence decisions and hold firm when required.
What's on Offer
28. Base salary between £90,000 and £100,000 (DOE, potential for higher)
29. Company car
30. Bonus - on target 25% and stretch target 37.5%
31. 10 employer pension contribution
32. 25 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays (with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days per year)