Finance Director

We are recruiting for a hands-on, commercially minded Finance Director to join a £20m turnover manufacturing business, backed by Private Equity and operating within a wider group structure. This is a high-impact leadership role with full responsibility for financial strategy, risk management, cash flow control, and margin enhancement. You’ll work closely with the MD and group/PE stakeholders to deliver operational excellence and long-term value creation.

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Act as a strategic partner to the MD and board, influencing key business decisions.

• Lead financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting processes.

• Provide accurate and insightful reporting to the PE owners and group finance.

Private Equity & Group Engagement

• Serve as the key financial contact for the Private Equity stakeholders and group HQ.

• Support delivery of value creation plans, including growth, operational efficiency, and eventual exit strategy.

• Prepare investor packs, KPI dashboards, and support group-level reporting requirements.

Cash Flow & Working Capital

• Own cash flow forecasting and liquidity management across the business.

• Optimise working capital by driving improvements in debtor, creditor, and inventory control.

• Manage and enhance invoice discounting facilities to support operational cash needs.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain robust financial controls, audit readiness, and governance processes.

• Identify key business risks and implement mitigating controls.

• Ensure full compliance with statutory obligations and group accounting policies.

Margin & Commercial Insight

• Drive profitability through product margin analysis, cost control, and operational insight.

• Collaborate with commercial and production teams to support pricing, costing, and efficiency projects.

• Deliver clear, actionable MI to help guide tactical and strategic decisions.

Banking & Funding

• Manage relationships with external funders and oversee banking arrangements.

• Ensure compliance with facility covenants and reporting requirements.

• Support debt refinancing, funding discussions, and working capital strategies.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop a small but capable finance team, building a high-performance culture.

• Provide mentoring, coaching, and development plans aligned with business growth.

• Foster collaboration with cross-functional teams and group finance colleagues.

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with 8+ years’ post-qualified experience.

• Strong track record as a Finance Director or No.2 in an SME manufacturing environment.

• Experience working in a Private Equity-backed business and/or group structure.

• Proven ability to manage cash flow, margin improvement, and risk.

• Skilled in bank and invoice discounting relationships.

• Confident communicator with a hands-on, commercial mindset.

• Base Salary: Up to £90,000 per annum

• Company Car

• Private Health Insurance

• Pension

• Career development within a growing group and PE environment