Financial Controller (future Finance Director)

Overview

As Financial Controller, you will lead the finance function in a growth-focused, export-driven SME and play a pivotal role alongside the MD. You’ll combine strong financial stewardship with commercial insight to influence strategy, profitability, and investment decisions. You’ll work cross-functionally with manufacturing, operations, sales and engineering to improve visibility and performance. This is a high-visibility, hands-on role with potential to progress into the Finance Director position.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working with flexibility
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced holiday entitlement with length of service
• Group life insurance
• Group income protection’,’3.5% employer pension contribution’,’Free parking on-site

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day finance operations and maintain robust controls
• Prepare monthly management accounts, board reports and KPI dashboards
• Manage budgeting, forecasting and cash flow planning
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and year-end processes
• Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, banks and advisers
• Manage VAT, payroll, pensions, insurance and statutory compliance
• Provide financial insight to support strategic decision-making and pricing/m profitability analysis
• Partner with department heads to enhance financial awareness and accountability
• Oversee inventory valuation, stock controls and working capital management
• Support manufacturing costing and operational performance analysis
• Drive system improvements and enhanced management information
• Support multi-currency international finance and banking relationships

Key requirements

• Commercially minded senior finance professional
• Experience in leading a finance function within an SME
• Ability to partner with operational and commercial teams
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and financial reporting
• Exposure to inventory valuation, costing and profitability analysis
• Experience with international/export finance and multi-currency transactions
• Stakeholder liaison with external accountants, auditors and advisers
• Strong internal controls and regulatory/compliance awareness

• Commercial acumen
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Analytical mindset
• Financial reporting and management accounting
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Cash flow management

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