Head of Finance

Cheshire West and Chester Permanent £70,000 - £80,000 per year View Job Description
This role leads all financial operations for a manufacturing SME, working closely with the Managing Director and Board to deliver accurate reporting, planning, and strategic financial insight while remaining hands-on. It combines team leadership with responsibility for accounting, budgeting, cashflow, tax, audit, and the professionalisation of finance processes within a growing business that is part of a wider group.
  • Shape strategy & lead finance at a board‑level role with real commercial impact
  • Own and transform the finance function in a growing manufacturing business

About Our Client

My client is a privately owned, manufacturing SME. They operate as part of a wider international group. They are in a phase of professionalising and strengthening their finance function, valuing hands-on leadership, robust controls, and close collaboration with senior management.

Job Description

  • Oversee all financial operations within the company
  • Manage the accounting and finance team and guide them towards achieving company objectives
  • Drive profitability and growth by understanding and influencing key business drivers
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory laws and standards in all financial functions
  • Develop and implement financial strategies and plans
  • Monitor and manage company budget and finances
  • Engage in regular financial forecasting and risk analysis

The Successful Applicant

  • Commercially minded finance leader with strong technical accounting expertise
  • Comfortable operating hands‑on in an SME manufacturing environment
  • Credible business partner to the Managing Director and Board, contributing to strategic and investment decisions
  • Proven capability across financial reporting, budgeting, FP&A, and cashflow management
  • Experience professionalising finance and accounting processes and controls
  • Confident people manager, able to lead and develop a small finance team
  • Strong communicator, effective with auditors, tax advisers, and wider group stakeholders
  • Advanced Excel skills, with exposure to ERP/BI systems an advantage
  • Pragmatic, detail‑oriented, and proactive with a can‑do attitude



What's on Offer

  • Senior leadership role with genuine influence, working closely with the Managing Director and Board
  • Opportunity to shape and professionalise the finance function within a growing manufacturing business
  • Broad, end‑to‑end responsibility across finance, offering strategic exposure as well as hands‑on involvement
  • Stable, permanent position within a profitable SME that is part of a wider group
  • Scope to lead, develop, and build a small finance team and improve systems and processes
  • Involvement in key commercial decisions, including investment appraisal and CAPEX planning
  • Competitive senior‑level remuneration package, commensurate with experience
  • Chance to make a visible, lasting impact in a business at an important stage of its development



Contact
Sophie Herring
Quote job ref
JN-052024-6437750
Phone number
+44 151 255 3759

Job summary

Job function
Accounting
Subsector
Financial Controller
Sector
Industrial / Manufacturing
Location
Cheshire West and Chester
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
Sophie Herring
Consultant phone
+44 151 255 3759
Job reference
JN-052024-6437750