Finance Director PE-Backed Industrial Services Business

Marks Sattin; England; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mark Sattin Executive Search is supporting a PE-backed, specialist industrial business in the South East of England in hiring a Finance Director to lead the finance function and partner with the senior leadership team to deliver strategic objectives.

The role covers financial controls, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, governance, and compliance, while driving cost control, inventory performance and working capital management across manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or ACMA).
• Experience as Finance Director, Head of Finance, Financial Controller or Divisional FD in Industrial Services or Manufacturing sectors.
• Strong accounting, financial reporting and controls background.
• Experience budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting, and audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function and support the wider business.
• Oversee budgeting, rolling forecasts, scenario and variance analysis.
• Deliver robust financial reporting, governance and statutory compliance.
• Drive finance improvement initiatives and system/process enhancements.
• Partner with operations, supply chain and commercial teams for cost control and working capital management.
• Translate financial data into practical, commercially-focused actions and clear reporting.

Skills

Finance leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Cost control & working capital

Inventory management

Data-driven decision making

Presentation of financials

Education

ACA/ACCA/ACMA

Job description

Mark Sattin Executive Search is working with a PE-backed specialist industrial business based in the South East of England. The business has established a strong position within its market, with a reputation for quality, technical capability, and long-standing customer relationships. As the business continues to develop and grow, it is seeking a Finance Director to lead the finance function, support the wider business, and play a key role in shaping and delivering its strategic objectives.

This role will suit a technically strong Finance Director who is comfortable operating within an operationally focused environment. The role will provide leadership across financial controls, reporting, systems, governance, budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, and statutory compliance, ensuring the business maintains the financial discipline expected within a private equity-backed environment. Working closely with the senior leadership team, the Finance Director will lead the finance team and provide financial insight across short-, medium-, and long-term planning. This will include annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, scenario analysis, variance analysis, and performance reporting, alongside identifying trends, risks, and opportunities and ensuring appropriate action is taken.

A key part of the remit will be driving finance improvement initiatives, reviewing existing processes and systems and implementing improvements that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accountability. Working closely with operational, supply chain, procurement, and commercial teams, the Finance Director will support cost control, margin analysis, working capital management, inventory performance, and wider commercial decision-making.

The role will require a hands‑on approach, with the Finance Director comfortable getting into the detail where required while maintaining a clear view of the wider business. The successful individual will be a trusted partner to the senior leadership team, combining technical financial expertise with commercial understanding and the ability to turn analysis into practical action.

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or ACMA)
• Finance Director, Head of Finance, Financial Controller or Divisional FD experience within Industrial Services, Manufacturing, or related sectors
• Strong technical accounting, financial reporting, and controls background
• Experience overseeing budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting, and audit
• Strong operational finance background with hands‑on involvement in cost control, inventory management, and working capital
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations through robust financial insight and performance reporting
• Ability to translate financial data into practical, commercially focused actions
• Strong ability to produce clear and content-rich financial reporting and presentations

Due to the high level of applications, we can only reply to those candidates with relevant experience.