Finance Director

We are recruiting for a hands-on, commercially minded Finance Director to join a manufacturing business, 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 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 £80,000 per annum

• Company Car

• Private Health Insurance

• Pension

• Career development within a growing group and PE environment