Finance Director

Barron Williams Executive Search; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

LTIP

Car/Benefits

Job summary

Barron Williams has been exclusively retained to deliver this key search for a PE-backed global pharma manufacturer with US and UK sites. The Finance Director will oversee two UK manufacturing sites (North Lancashire and East Midlands) and third party contract manufacturers, reporting to the UK Managing Director.

Leading strategic financial planning, budgeting and reporting, you will partner with senior leadership to drive value, ensure compliance, and support the international group’s goals,

Qualifications

• Senior manufacturing finance leader with pharma/regulatory experience.
• Experience in MNCs, preferably with US HQ and PE exposure.
• Strategic thinker; partner with UK SLT.
• Hands-on cost accounting and inventory valuation.
• Proficient in financial modelling, budgeting and forecasting.
• ERP experience in manufacturing, MS Dynamics preferred.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial oversight to deliver long-term goals.
• Lead and develop UK finance team and foster high performance.
• Build relationships with UK SLT and Group functions.
• Deliver management information and core reports on deadlines.
• Analyze profitability and financial indicators for UK manufacturing.
• Lead annual budgeting, S&OP processes and long-term forecasting.
• Oversee UK statutory accounts, tax, VAT, audits and compliance.

Skills

Manufacturing finance

Regulated pharma

PE-backed environment

Strategic leadership

Cost accounting

Inventory valuation

Financial modelling

Budgeting & forecasting

MS Dynamics ERP

Stakeholder management

Tools

MS Dynamics

Job description

Barron Williams have been exclusively retained to deliver this key search and selection instruction for our client, a PE-backed global pharma manufacturing organisation with sites in both the US & UK. Their market expertise, specialising in drug delivery, spans the entire product lifecycle, from initial design and development through regulatory approval and commercialisation, ensuring critical therapies reach patients safely and efficiently. As a specialist CDMO, they partner with some of the worlds’ leading pharma MNC’s in drug and device solutions, specialising in injectables, inhalation and dermal delivery. The UK business currently has two manufacturing sites, in North Lancashire and in the East Midlands.

Reporting to the UK Managing Director, the UK Finance Director will be responsible for the two UK manufacturing sites in North Lancashire and the East Midlands (plus 3rd party contract manufacturers). You will deliver regularly required reports to US Group HQ (& PE investor stakeholders as well as supporting the UK MD in strategic decision-making to support the achievement of business plan goals, working closely with senior leadership team colleagues across Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, Shared Services and FP&A.

This key role presents a fantastic opportunity for a suitably qualified, senior manufacturing Finance professional to play a pivotal role in the development of this emerging international group. The ideal candidate will come with relevant, hands‑on experience in regulated manufacturing settings, ideally but not necessarily pharma / life sciences. What is essential is the ability to operate effectively and appropriately in PE-backed organisations with international (US) characteristics and reporting requirements. A strategic thinker with a genuine business partner approach, you will be able to demonstrate your success to date in operating within highly effective exec teams and delivering results in relevant settings.

Job Title: Finance Director

Location: East Midlands (UK Head Office 2-3 days pw + wfh/flex + travel)

Reports to: UK MD

Reports in: Site Finance teams East Midlands / North Lancashire

Package: Six-figure salary + Bonus + LTIP + Car/Benefits

Key Deliverables

• Provide strategic financial oversight and direction to deliver the business’ long-term financial goals
• Lead and develop the UK finance team, fostering a high performing culture and collaborative approach
• Build effective working relationships with UK SLT colleagues across all core UK & Group functions
• Deliver high quality, focused management information and required core financial reports to deadlines
• Analyse and report on profitability and key financial indicators relevant to UK manufacturing operations
• Lead annual budgeting exercises and S&OP financial processes, as well as long-term financial forecasting
• Responsible for UK statutory accounts as well as corporation tax, VAT, external audit & compliance etc

Candidate Profile

• Manufacturing Finance leader, ideally with pharma/life sciences or relevant regulated market experience
• Track record within MNC’s (ideally inc. US HQ) as well as the ability to work with PE effectively
• Strategic able to operate collaboratively as part of a highly focused and driven UK senior leadership team
• Pragmatic and hands‑on with a comprehensive understanding of cost accounting and inventory valuation
• Financial modelling, budgeting & forecasting expert – delivers high value MI to expedite decision making
• ERP experience within manufacturing environments (MS Dynamics preferred) + advanced analytical skills
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills