Reporting to: Managing Director
About the Role
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance leader to join a growing UK food manufacturing business in a key leadership position.
As Head of Finance, you will play a pivotal role in shaping business performance, providing strategic, commercial and operational financial leadership to support sustainable growth. Working as part of the senior leadership team, you will partner closely with colleagues across Operations, Commercial, Procurement and Supply Chain to improve profitability, drive efficiencies and support informed decision-making.
Leading the finance function, you'll combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, ensuring strong financial control while delivering commercial insight that helps the business achieve its objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Commercial Finance
- Partner with the Managing Director and senior leadership team to deliver the business strategy.
- Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning processes.
- Provide financial analysis and commercial insight to support growth, investment and profitability.
- Develop business cases for capital expenditure, new products and strategic initiatives.
- Support major business change projects where required.
Financial Control & Governance
- Ensure robust financial controls, governance and compliance.
- Deliver accurate monthly management accounts and financial reporting.
- Oversee statutory accounts, audits and tax compliance.
- Manage relationships with auditors, banks and professional advisers.
- Identify and manage financial risk across the business.
Manufacturing & Operational Finance
Partner with Operations to improve factory performance by analysing key manufacturing KPIs, including labour efficiency, yield, waste, OEE, material usage and production costs.
Ensure accurate product costing and inventory valuation, evaluate capital investment opportunities and support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance.
Cash Flow & Performance
- Lead cash flow forecasting and working capital management.
- Drive improvements in cash generation and financial efficiency.
- Produce meaningful reporting on financial and operational performance, including profitability, manufacturing efficiency, labour productivity, overheads, cash flow and budget performance.
- Present clear, actionable insights to the Managing Director and Board.
Leadership
- Lead, coach and develop the finance team.
- Build commercial awareness across the wider business.
- Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
About You
You will be a commercially focused finance leader who enjoys working closely with operational teams and influencing business decisions.
You'll bring:
- ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualification.
- Senior finance leadership experience within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
- Strong commercial and operational finance experience.
- A proven track record of improving profitability, financial performance and business processes.
- Experience leading finance teams and developing talent.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and analytical skills.
- Experience managing audits, banking relationships and statutory compliance.
Why Join?
This is a fantastic opportunity to become a key member of the senior leadership team, with the autonomy to influence business decisions, drive continuous improvement and play a significant role in the continued growth and success of the business.
Salary & Benefits : £85,000 - £90,000 plus 10% bonus, 25 days' holiday & Pension