Finance Manager

Cranswick plc; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK food manufacturer is seeking a Finance Manager to drive financial strategy and support growth. This role involves leading the Accounting and Reporting team, delivering accurate management accounts, and preparing budgets. Candidates should be fully qualified ACCA/CIMA/ACA accountants with proven finance leadership experience. The position promises meaningful impact in a fast-paced environment. Join a forward-thinking team committed to excellence and creativity.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in finance leadership roles.
• Strong technical knowledge in financial planning, risk management, and compliance.
• Exceptional ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Accounting and Reporting team including Accounts Receivable.
• Deliver accurate weekly and monthly management accounts.
• Prepare budgets and forecasts to support strategic development.
• Manage year-end and internal audits ensuring compliance.

Skills

Financial planning

Risk management

Collaboration

Commercial acumen

Transformation and continuous improvement

Education

Fully Qualified ACCA/CIMA/ACA accountant or finalist

Tools

PowerBI

Job description

Cranswick PLC is one of the UK’s leading food manufacturers, renowned for crafting exceptional Continental specialities that delight millions of customers every day. Our passion for authentic flavours and uncompromising quality has made us the trusted partner of the nation’s top retailers.

At Cranswick, we don’t just make food—we celebrate it. From succulent olives and vibrant antipasti to premium continental charcuterie and perfectly cooked meats like corned beef, every product reflects our dedication to excellence and creativity.

We’re committed to nurturing talent and fostering an inclusive, dynamic workplace where ambitious professionals can thrive, grow, and make a real impact. Join us and be part of a team that’s shaping the future of food.

About the Role

Are you ready to take the lead in shaping the financial future of a thriving business? We’re looking for a Finance Manager who can do more than crunch numbers—someone who can drive strategy, inspire a team, and make a real impact on growth and profitability.

In this pivotal role, you’ll own financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and compliance, ensuring accuracy and insight at every step. You’ll lead the Accounting and Reporting team, champion best practices, and provide the financial intelligence that powers smart decision‑making.

This is your chance to influence the big picture, streamline processes, and help deliver sustainable success. If you’re ambitious, commercially savvy, and passionate about making finance a true business partner, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

• Lead & Empower: Take charge of the Accounting and Reporting team, including Accounts Receivable, and inspire excellence.
• Own the Results: Deliver accurate weekly and monthly management accounts with insightful variance analysis.
• Drive Insight: Report key business KPIs that shape decisions and performance.
• Plan for Growth: Prepare budgets, forecasts, and monthly cash flow projections to support strategic development.
• Ensure Accuracy: Guarantee timely and precise financial submissions across the business.
• Champion Investment: Prepare capital expenditure requests and conduct post‑implementation reviews.
• Audit & Compliance: Manage year‑end and internal audits, ensuring compliance with HMRC and statutory requirements.
• Maximise Cash Flow: Implement strong working capital practices and credit control to keep the business financially agile.
• Think Global: Handle foreign currency transactions with confidence.
• Innovate Processes: Improve financial controls and reporting procedures for efficiency and accuracy.
• Lead Change: Support system rollouts and ensure processes are fit for a modern, digital‑first environment.
• Transform Reporting: Drive the transition to self‑serve reporting in PowerBI, empowering stakeholders with real‑time insights.
• Make an Impact: Take on exciting ad hoc projects that shape the future of finance in our business.

What We’re Looking For

• Fully Qualified ACCA/CIMA/ACA accountant or finalist
• Proven experience in finance leadership roles.
• Strong technical knowledge in financial planning, risk management, and compliance.
• Exceptional ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders.
• A proactive mindset with a passion for transformation and continuous improvement.
• Commercial acumen and strategic thinking to support business growth.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a finance role—it’s an opportunity to shape the future of our business. You’ll work alongside a forward‑thinking leadership team, drive meaningful change, and play a key role in delivering sustainable growth. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment and want to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunities employer. At Cranswick we know that diverse teams are more likely to have greater innovation, creativity and understand of our customer needs. These are many of the things we are passionate about.

Did you know that some demographics may be less likely to apply to job adverts than others? For example, women are likely to apply only if they fit all of the skills listed. If you’re reading this and perhaps don’t tick every skill, then please still make yourself known to us. We’d love to hear from you so we can assess this.

We also want to ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the interview process, therefore please contact us to request any assistance required.