Finance Manager

Reed; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed is seeking a Commercial Finance Manager based in Gloucestershire to lead the finance function and report into the senior management team. You will own month-end processes, budgets and cashflow, and play a pivotal role in European operations and cross-border trading.

The role offers a clear path to Finance Director through a structured succession plan, with involvement in an upcoming ERP project and strategic finance initiatives to support UK and European expansion.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Finance Manager in manufacturing or commercial business.
• Strong cost accounting, margin analysis and cost of sales knowledge.
• Experience producing monthly management accounts, budgets, forecasts and cashflow reporting.
• Exposure to multi-entity businesses and European/international markets.

Responsibilities

• Own the finance function and work as a key member of the senior management team.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, reporting and cashflow management.
• Support expansion into overseas markets and cross-border trading.
• Drive improvements in processes and ERP implementation.

Skills

Finance management

Cost accounting

Margin analysis

Cashflow reporting

Stakeholder management

Strategic finance

Leadership

Multi-entity experience

International markets

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Title: Finance manager with route to Finance Director

Salary: £60,000 - £75,000/yr DOE

Location: Gloucestershire

About the company

Our client is a privately owned, growing manufacturing business with a turnover of approximately £6.5 million, employing over 40 staff across multiple UK and European operations.

Having experienced significant growth in recent years, the business continues to invest in its people, systems and international presence. With further expansion plans across Europe and ambitions to increase overseas manufacturing activity, they are seeking a commercially focused Finance Manager to help support the next stage of development.

The Person

We are seeking an established Finance Manager with experience operating within a fast-paced commercial environment. This is not a role for someone looking to make their first move into finance leadership; the business requires an individual who can quickly take ownership of the finance function and become a key member of the senior management team.

The successful candidate will have:

• Proven experience as a Finance Manager within a manufacturing, engineering, production or similarly commercial business.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting, margin analysis and cost of sales.
• Experience producing monthly management accounts, budgets, forecasts and cashflow reporting.
• Previous exposure to multi-entity businesses.
• Experience working with European and international markets, including cross-border trading, invoicing and customer transactions.
• The commercial awareness to support business growth and expansion into overseas markets.
• A hands‑on approach and willingness to be involved in both operational and strategic finance activities.
• The confidence to challenge existing processes and help shape the future finance function.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence senior decisionmakers.
• Ambition and capability to progress into a Finance Director position as part of a planned succession strategy.

Desirable Experience:

• Manufacturing finance and stock accounting.
• European VAT and international invoicing exposure.
• ERP implementation or finance systems projects.
• Experience supporting businesses with international operations or overseas manufacturing activities.

Qualifications

Professional qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) are welcomed but are not essential. The business is focused on finding a commercially minded Finance Manager with the experience, leadership skills and ambition to step into a future Finance Director role.

Key Selling Point

This role offers a genuine route to Finance Director, with a planned succession process already in place. The successful candidate will join a growing international manufacturing business, take ownership of the finance function from day one, play a leading role in an upcoming ERP implementation, and develop into a strategic board‑level finance leader as the business continues its UK and European expansion.