Senior Finance Manager

Braintree Permanent £70,000 - £85,000 per year View Job Description
This is a senior, site‑based finance leadership role for a manufacturing business in North Essex, created following site consolidation and investment in modern machining. The role acts as the on‑site finance lead, owning costing, product profitability and operational insight while partnering closely with manufacturing and commercial teams to drive performance and margin improvement.
  • Lead site finance, management reporting, forecasting and budgeting
  • Own costing, product profitability and margin analysis

About Our Client

Our exclusively retained client is a well‑established UK manufacturing and engineering business operating from a consolidated site in the North Essex area, (Colchester, Braintree). Following significant recent investment in modern machining and manufacturing capability, the business is entering its next phase of development and is strengthening its on‑site leadership team.The organisation manufactures a mix of standard products and more bespoke engineered solutions, supplying both UK and international markets. This creates a complex and interesting operational environment, requiring strong financial insight and close partnership with manufacturing and commercial teams.

Job Description

This is a senior, highly operational finance role, acting as the site finance lead for the business. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, with a dotted line to Group Finance, the Senior Finance Manager will play a critical role in improving costing accuracy, margin visibility and operational decision‑making.The role requires a strong on‑site presence and will suit someone who enjoys working closely with the shop floor and influencing how finance supports the wider business. Somebody from a finance manager, or business partnering background may suit.Key responsibilities include:

  • Lead site‑level finance, management reporting and forecasting
  • Own costing, product profitability and margin analysis across standard and bespoke products
  • Partner closely with manufacturing and supply chain to improve efficiency, capacity utilisation and performance
  • Support pricing, commercial decision‑making and bespoke project costing
  • Improve utilisation of ERP systems (Business Central) and strengthen data quality
  • Develop and report operational KPIs including labour, machine efficiency, scrap and rework
  • Lead and develop a small on‑site finance team
  • Work closely with Group Finance to ensure alignment with wider policies and controls

The Successful Applicant

A successful applicant for this senior finance manager role should have the following skills and experience:

  • Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
  • Strong background in manufacturing or engineering finance
  • Hands‑on operational finance experience, including costing, BOMs and product profitability
  • Comfortable being on site and close to manufacturing operations
  • Strong commercial acumen and ability to influence decision‑making
  • ERP system experience
  • Confident, pragmatic and able to challenge constructively

What's on Offer

Salary: £70,000 - £85,000, with flexibility for a standout candidate

Bonus: Excellent Bonus potential based on individual and company performancePlus

  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • BUPA private healthcare
  • Pension



Given the nature of the operation, this is a predominantly on site role (4dpw)

Contact
Paul Urquhart
Quote job ref
JN-042026-6987116
Phone number
+44 1622 604 511

Job summary

Job function
Accounting
Subsector
Financial Controller
Sector
Industrial / Manufacturing
Location
Braintree
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
Paul Urquhart
Consultant phone
+44 1622 604 511
Job reference
JN-042026-6987116