Finance Business Partner - Manufacturing

SF Recruitment are pleased to be working in exclusive partnership with a leading specialist manufacturer based in South Derbyshire in their recruitment of a Finance Business Partner, reporting directly to the Finance Director.

About the organisation

My client are the dominant player within their industry. A Private-Equity backed organisation, they boast a global reach for their products and have demonstrated consistent growth, both organically and through investment and acquisition.

With a group turnover of c.€80m, the organisation boast an impressive global coverage and are true market leaders in their field. With a reputation for high quality, reliable products, the company benefit from significant repeat and new business and is a very fast-paced environment.
With strong financial backing, the organisation have already completed on a number of acquisitions this financial year with several on the horizon for 2024. This is an exciting time to be joining this fast-paced organisation, working as part of a collaborative and talented group finance team.

 About the role

 You'll be joining a talented, established and growing dedicated finance team boasting truly outstanding leadership and career devleopment opportunities. 

Following a period fo significant growth following acquisitons, and with plans for continued future growth this position is a key addition to the team. The role will involve tracking financial performance, providing financial information, forecasting and analysis and helping to guide decision making and set strategy on the base site alongside various other business entities. As a result, some travel will be required to the varying specialist manufacturing sites within the group.

As Finance Business Partner, you will:
- Provide financial leadership and advice and contribute to the achievement of company objectives
- Be an integral part of the finance team, providing insightful analysis to the business, including development of company KPI's, and the development of a strong and pro-active approach to business analysis and detailed management information
- Ensure compliance with the agreed delegated levels of authority for each entity including on-going audit/monitoring
- Be extremely attentive to detail and can drill down into the most precise of details and relay results via the most appropriate medium
- Assist in leading the broader finance transformation agenda, working closely with Senior IT, Operations and Finance teams
- Need to be robust, resilient, and open to change, as the business grows the function will too the ability to support and lead others along the journey is a must
- Act as number two to the Finance Director, in all aspects
Financial:
- Lead the finance team ensuring ongoing training & development
- Work with the Management Team to prepare and manage the annual Budget and Business Plan and provide detailed forecasts against plan. Provide financial insight to forecasts and budget achievement for both profit & cash
- Prepare monthly accurate management accounts to Group deadlines, ensuring consistency and compliance of accounting treatment and reporting in conjunction with group policies and procedures
- Overseeing tax issues and ensuring compliance
- Identify and drive efficiencies in Working Capital levels, maximising operational cash conversion across the business
- Liaise with a range of external stakeholders, including banks, customers and suppliers on financial related matters
- Oversee the external audit; review & analyse results and recommend for approval the audited financial statements.
- Provide finance & business support input to tendering and contract negotiation activities, as required. Challenge the business to ensure appropriate incoterms and achievement of profit targets
- Be an integral part of the Sales & Ops Planning process
- Ensure that there are adequate systems & controls to maintain the integrity of the accounting information, safeguard company assets and maximise financial performance.
- Prepare business cases & capital expenditure requests.
- Any other projects, as required, by the Finance Director

About you
You will be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent) with a strong financial accounting background and have a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience.

A background in manufacturing environments is also an essential criteria for this position.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen with the ability to work autonomously, manage to tight timescales, prioritise effectively, and maintain professional scepticism
• Substantial experience as a finance lead in a comparable scale business
• Strategic planning capabilities & Business analysis expertise
• A track record in driving business improvement and change initiatives
• Experience in manufacturing, in particular a standard costing environment
• Contract accounting experience
• Expertise in reporting to FRS 102 guidelines
• Strong people skills and experience of managing a team in a fast paced environment
• Results and on time delivery focused
• Leadership skills, creating a shared vision which motivates and encourages
• Influencing and Negotiating
• Organisational and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail
• Strong sense of commitment and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to work with people in various locations where English is not their first language
• Decision Making and Risk Management to support business strategy
• Integrity & professionalism

What's in it for you

This is a significantly high-profile role within the organisation, well suited to an individual with a strong manufacturing background who is on the upward trajectory in their career with ambitions to utilise this role to further develop their all-round skills into the penultimate role before a first Finance Director position.

You will be given excellent support and tutelage to develop your skills and abilities, working closely with a strong, collaborative and supportive finance leadership team.

• Salary - up to £65,000 p/a depending on experience
• Hybrid working is available - to be discussed
• Working hours 37.5 hours per week, although it is expected that additional hours will be required at key milestones throughout the month and year
• Competitive pension
• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days + statutory holiday
• A degree of flexibility around working hours can be afforded subject to individual needs and business requirements (to be discussed at interview)
• Exceptional career development opportunities within a fast paced, strong and unique business. 

For more information, please get in touch or submit your CV to express interest.