Finance Director - Manufacturing

Our client is a fast-growing group of manufacturing businesses, backed by an international ownership group with an active acquisition strategy. They are looking for a Finance Director to lead finance for one of their key divisions, which manufactures complex engineered components across two sites.

The division has a turnover of around £50m, and its order book is currently 25% ahead of last year, so the trajectory is strong. With further acquisitions planned, this is a chance to join at an exciting stage and help shape the next phase of growth.

This is a hands-on, visible role. You will partner directly with the UK Managing Director on day-to-day decisions, with a dotted line of reporting into the corporate finance team in the US. You will be a regular presence on the shop floor, with both the factory teams and the people behind the numbers.

The role

You will lead a team of four experienced, well-established finance professionals who know the business well and will help you settle in quickly. Your focus will be on commercial partnership as much as financial control.

Commercial and strategic

• Act as the Managing Director’s right hand on commercial decision-making, pricing and investment
• Analyse profitability by product line and customer, and drive action where margins need improving
• Support the business through rapid growth, including capacity, working capital and capital expenditure planning

Financial control and reporting

• Own the monthly management accounts process, with accurate, timely and insightful reporting to the MD and the US group
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and rolling forecasts, with clear variance analysis
• Oversee the balance sheet, including inventory valuation, WIP, cost accounting and standard costing
• Manage cash flow, working capital, credit control and banking relationships
• Ensure robust internal controls, accounting policies and month-end and year-end close disciplines
• Oversee statutory accounts, audit, corporation tax, VAT and other compliance, working with external advisers
• Meet group reporting requirements and deadlines for the US corporate finance team

Leadership and improvement

• Lead, develop and motivate the finance team, building on its strong foundations
• Strengthen finance systems, processes and KPIs as the business scales
• Provide clear, practical financial insight to non-finance colleagues across both sites

About you

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Previous senior finance experience in manufacturing or engineering, ideally at Financial Controller, Head of Finance or Finance Director level
• Strong commercial acumen, with proven experience of product and customer profitability analysis and cost accounting
• Confident working closely with a managing director and reporting into an overseas parent
• Ambitious, driven and hands-on, comfortable being visible on site and building credibility with operational teams
• A natural leader who can build on the strengths of an established team
• Experience of acquisitions, integration or rapid growth would be a strong advantage
• Based within commuting distance of Blackburn, as the role requires a regular on-site presence

What’s on offer

• Salary of £85-90,000
• Annual performance-related bonus
• 9% employer pension contribution
• Private medical cover
• A genuine opportunity to grow with a business that has investment, momentum and ambitious plans

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