Finance Director - Engineering Sector

Morgan Financial Search; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading precision engineering SME seeks a Finance Director to join its Board and lead financial operations during a pivotal phase. This role demands a qualified accountant with strong cash management experience and a focus on strategic growth. The ideal candidate will drive financial performance and engage with external stakeholders while fostering sustainable development.

Benefits

Competitive executive-level salary up to £110k

F/E car

Good benefits package

Participation in Executive Incentive Plan

Qualifications

• Experienced in cash management and flow control within growth environments.
• Proficient in establishing financial controls and governance.
• Operational and commercial experience in manufacturing or engineering.

Responsibilities

• Oversee finance, IT, and HR functions with robust reporting.
• Manage cash flow and ensure compliance with bank covenants.
• Develop KPIs to enhance business performance across the supply chain.

Skills

Cash Management

Financial Reporting

Stakeholder Management

Leadership

Education

Qualified Accountant

Job description

My client is a well-established £25m turnover Precision Engineering manufacturing SME, based at their modern 'state of the art' production facility in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

As a key member of the Board, this is an excellent career opportunity for a graduate-calibre, hands-on Finance Director with strong manufacturing/engineering sector experience to join this ambitious SME at a key stage of its development.

A key short- to medium-term challenge for this role will focus on cash management and cash flow control as the company completes its current bank re-financing exercise and seeks new inward investment. The goal is to position this independent company securely to manage macro-economic pressures and to continue investing in plant and equipment to support sustainable, profitable growth into the future.

Key responsibilities include:

• Oversee and develop the finance, IT, and HR functions.
• Provide robust and timely financial, management, and statutory accounts.
• Develop KPIs to monitor and drive business performance across the manufacturing supply chain, meeting the standards of their largely Blue Chip client base.
• Focus initially on proactive cash management and working capital within bank covenants, working closely with key suppliers.
• Manage the successful completion of the current significant bank re-financing exercise to establish a solid foundation for future development.
• Explore optimal lines of additional institutional investment funding.
• Prepare budgets and conduct regular re-forecasts.
• Operate as a finance business partner to the CEO on capital projects, new product development, client tenders, and evaluating new business opportunities.
• Maintain regular contact with external stakeholders such as banks, investors, auditors, tax advisors, and insurers.
• Act as a key member of the Board to ensure ongoing profitable and sustainable growth of this long-established, highly respected precision engineering business.

Candidate profile:

• A high-calibre qualified accountant with strong reporting experience and the ability to implement robust financial controls, systems, and governance.
• Proven experience in cash management and cash flow control within a turnaround or highly geared growth environment, including meeting bank covenants, refinancing, sourcing external funding, and negotiating supplier payment terms.
• This full FD role also requires strong operational and commercial experience, preferably within a manufacturing or engineering site-based environment.
• A confident professional with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.

In return, my client offers a competitive executive-level salary up to £110k, plus F/E car and a good benefits package. They also offer participation in their Executive Incentive Plan, with potential for significant long-term personal value.

Please send your CV in strict confidence to Martin Morgan, the retained consultant. All relevant applicants can expect a prompt response.