Finance Director

manucomm recruitment; Wincanton; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

manucomm recruitment is seeking a commercially minded Finance Director for a growing UK food manufacturing business in Somerset. You will report to the Managing Director, shape strategy, improve profitability and lead a small finance team.

This is a hands-on, influential role with a direct seat at the table and a strong emphasis on cash generation and governance. The role offers responsibilities across budgeting, pricing, investment decisions and operational finance, with a focus on driving

Qualifications

• Qualified chartered accountant with strong commercial experience.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• Experience leading small finance teams and working with banks, auditors and advisers.
• Ability to translate financial data into strategic business decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall finance function with strategic and hands-on management.
• Develop financial strategy and three-year plan with MD and leadership.
• Manage cash flow, working capital, and banking relationships.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cash flow

Financial modelling

Strategic finance

Education

Chartered Accountant (ACA/ACCA/ICAS)

Job description

Finance Director

£80,000 | Permanent | Ideally Full-time although Part-time may be considered

Location: Wincanton, Somerset

Are you a commercially minded Chartered Accountant who wants genuine influence, rather than simply another FD title?

This is an opportunity to join an ambitious, growing UK food manufacturing business at an exciting stage of its development.. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you'll have a genuine seat at the table, helping shape strategy, improve profitability, strengthen cash generation and support the next phase of growth….and this isn't a "manage from a distance" FD role. We're looking for someone who enjoys getting into the detail — someone equally comfortable discussing strategy, investment and growth with the Board as they are working alongside a small finance team to solve a day-to-day issue.

If you want responsibility, influence and the opportunity to see the direct impact of your decisions, this could be the role for you.

Why this role?

• Shape the financial strategy of a growing £7m business.
• Work directly with the Managing Director and senior leadership team.
• Influence profitability, pricing, investment and growth decisions.
• Take ownership of cash flow, working capital and banking relationships.
• Improve manufacturing and operational performance through better financial insight.
• Lead and develop a small finance team.
• Build better systems, controls, reporting and commercial processes.
• Play a key role in determining where the business goes next.

This is a role where finance is not simply a support function — you'll be a key part of the decision-making process.

What you'll be doing

You'll take overall responsibility for the finance function, balancing strategic leadership with hands‑on financial management.

Strategy & Commercial Finance

• Act as a trusted adviser and commercial partner to the Managing Director.
• Develop the financial strategy and three‑year financial plan.
• Lead budgets, forecasts and rolling financial planning.
• Provide analysis to improve profitability, margins and shareholder value.
• Support pricing, investment, capital expenditure and growth decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial and operational performance.

Financial Management

• Lead the production of accurate monthly management accounts.
• Prepare Board reporting and meaningful KPI dashboards.
• Maintain strong financial controls and balance sheet integrity.
• Lead year‑end and statutory reporting.
• Manage external accountants, auditors and professional advisers.

Cash & Working Capital

• Own cash flow forecasting and working capital management.
• Monitor debtors, creditors and stock.
• Identify opportunities to improve cash generation.
• Manage banking relationships, facilities and funding.
• Monitor banking covenants and reporting requirements.

Manufacturing & Operational Finance

Working closely with the operational team, you'll help turn financial data into better business decisions.

Who are we looking for?

You'll be a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA, ACCA or ICAS) with strong commercial experience and the confidence to operate at both strategic and operational levels., You may currently be a Finance Director | Commercial Finance Director | Financial Controller | Finance Controller | Head of Finance | Senior Finance Manager and you will ideally have experience within:

• Food manufacturing, FMCG or another production environment.
• A growing SME or entrepreneurial business.
• Budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• Cash flow and working capital management.
• Manufacturing and product profitability.
• Financial modelling and commercial analysis.
• Managing banks, auditors and professional advisers.
• Leading and developing small finance teams.
• Experience in an owner-managed or rapidly growing business would be particularly valuable.

Potential commuting locations include Yeovil, Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Frome, Warminster, Wells, Glastonbury, Bruton, Castle Cary, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury, Bath, Taunton, Bridgwater and surrounding areas.