Manufacturing Finance Director

Our client is a well-established manufacturing business based in North Suffolk and part of a privately owned group.  Committed to excellence in their industry, they are seeking a dynamic and experienced Finance Director to join their team and drive financial performance and strategy.

Position Overview:

As the Finance Director, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the financial function of the manufacturing site.  Reporting directly to the Site Managing Director, you will be responsible for maintaining robust financial reporting, implementing comprehensive controls, and providing valuable analysis to support strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a robust reporting and analysis timetable for the site, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of financial performance.
• Provide regular analysis on the site’s performance, including daily, weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc reports, identifying key insights and areas for improvement.
• Challenge site management on performance metrics and collaborate with operational teams to ensure the integrity of operational dashboards.
• Mitigate risks and continuously improve controls and reporting processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Liaise with site management to ensure robust control over intake, stock, labour, and yields, contributing to cost optimization and productivity enhancement.
• Support site management in preparing capital investment proposals and conduct post-implementation reviews to evaluate investment performance.
• Collaborate with Auditors and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Manage daily cash flow and forecasting activities to optimise liquidity and working capital management.
• Develop and manage site forecasts and budgets, ensuring alignment with financial planning and analysis (FP&A) timetable.

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Qualified Accountant (ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA) with significant experience in finance leadership roles.
• Proven experience in team management and leadership, with the ability to motivate and develop finance teams.
• Strong background in manufacturing, with a deep understanding of industry dynamics and challenges.
• Excellent communication and presentational skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Project management experience, with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive process improvements.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced knowledge of Excel for financial analysis and modeling.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with a keen attention to detail and the ability to identify opportunities for optimization and efficiency gains.