Finance Director

Ethos Talent; England; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ethos Talent is partnering with an established manufacturing business in the UK to appoint a Finance Director who will own the finance function, shape financial strategy and drive commercial performance.

Working closely with the Managing Director and the senior leadership team, you will provide financial insight, strategic direction and commercial support to drive the business forward, balancing control with a forward-thinking, commercially focused approach.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Senior finance leadership experience, ideally in manufacturing.
• Strong commercial awareness with excellent technical accounting and financial management skills.
• Experience working closely with senior stakeholders and influencing business decisions.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate financial information into meaningful commercial recommendations.
• Hands-on, pragmatic approach, with the confidence to operate both strategically and operationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance function, ensuring accurate reporting, strong financial controls and effective processes.
• Take ownership of budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and long-term financial planning.
• Provide clear, commercially focused financial insight to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial performance, profitability and operational efficiencies.
• Ensure strong financial governance, compliance and effective risk management.
• Support the evaluation of investment opportunities, business improvements and future growth initiatives.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation, acting as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Financial leadership

Manufacturing industry experience

Stakeholder management

Strategic financial planning

Analytical thinking

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Job description

Ethos Talent is partnering with an established and ambitious manufacturing business, with an annual turnover of circa £40m-£50m, to appoint a Finance Director.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance leader to take on a key position within the business, helping to shape financial strategy, drive commercial performance and contribute to its continued growth and development.

Working closely with the Managing Director and wider senior leadership team, you will take ownership of the finance function, providing the financial insight, strategic direction and commercial support needed to drive the business forward.

We are looking for someone who can balance strong financial control with a forward-thinking, commercially focused approach. Someone who enjoys being involved in the wider business, building relationships across departments and making a meaningful contribution beyond the numbers.

The Role

• Lead and develop the finance function, ensuring accurate reporting, strong financial controls and effective processes.
• Take ownership of budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and long-term financial planning.
• Provide clear, commercially focused financial insight to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial performance, profitability and operational efficiencies.
• Ensure strong financial governance, compliance and effective risk management.
• Support the evaluation of investment opportunities, business improvements and future growth initiatives.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation, acting as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders.

About You

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Proven experience in a senior finance leadership position, ideally within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong commercial awareness alongside excellent technical accounting and financial management skills.
• Experience working closely with senior stakeholders and influencing business decisions.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate financial information into meaningful commercial recommendations.
• A hands-on, pragmatic approach, with the confidence to operate both strategically and operationally.

Above all, we are looking for someone who is approachable, commercially minded and enjoys being part of a leadership team. Someone who can challenge constructively, build credibility across the business and take ownership of key financial priorities.

For the right individual, the role offers an excellent balance of strategic responsibility, commercial involvement and the opportunity to work closely with senior stakeholders who value the contribution of a strong finance leader.