Finance & Strategy Lead, Manufacturing Growth

Assan Panel; Stowmarket; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Assan Panel UK Ltd is seeking an experienced Financial Affairs Executive to lead finance and accounting operations across the UK business. You will manage cash flow, budgeting, IFRS reporting, and statutory compliance while collaborating with banks, auditors and management to drive profitability and growth.

The role requires hands-on leadership in a manufacturing environment, strong IFRS knowledge, and a track record of delivering accurate financial insights to support strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• Professional qualification or certification such as ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent is an advantage
• 7+ years of progressive experience in accounting and finance, including relevant senior-level experience
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, financial reporting, taxation and regulatory compliance
• Proven experience in budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and financial analysis
• Strong experience in General Ledger, financial closing, consolidation, reconciliations and audit management
• Experience in product costing, inventory valuation and cost analysis, preferably within a manufacturing environment
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably SAP, together with advanced MS Excel skills
• Knowledge of L/Cs, international transactions, banking facilities and transfer pricing is an advantage
• Good understanding of internal controls, audit processes and financial risk management
• Strong communication, negotiation, analytical and decision-making skills
• Ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively with both internal and external stakeholders
• Strong planning, organizational and attention-to-detail skills

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial management and cash flow activities, including collections, payments, liquidity, cost control and safeguarding of company assets
• Manage and optimize payment and collection processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency, security and cost effectiveness
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, financial analyses and management reports to support business planning and strategic decision-making
• Prepare accurate and timely IFRS-compliant financial reports, including subsidiary and consolidated reporting, for management, shareholders, auditors and relevant authorities
• Ensure compliance with applicable tax requirements, IFRS, accounting standards, corporate policies and relevant UK regulatory requirements
• Manage tax compliance activities, including tax calculations, returns, payments, available tax incentives and transfer pricing requirements and documentation
• Coordinate internal and external audit processes, including audit planning, preparation of financial information, communication with auditors and implementation of agreed corrective actions
• Maintain and continuously strengthen internal financial controls to minimize financial risks, errors, fraud and financial misstatements
• Ensure the accuracy, consistency and reliability of accounting records, reconciliations and financial analyses
• Manage product costing, inventory valuation and cost analysis to monitor profitability and support pricing and cost-saving initiatives
• Plan and manage supplier payment schedules and support effective working capital management
• Manage customer credit facilities, credit limits, risk assessments and guarantees
• Maintain effective relationships with banks, financial institutions, auditors, external advisers and relevant authorities to support financing, credit and cash management activities
• Negotiate with financial institutions where required to support competitive financing arrangements
• Work closely with operational and commercial teams to connect financial insights with business and strategic objectives
• Drive improvements, automation and digitalization of finance and accounting processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs
• Support and develop finance and accounting team members, ensuring high standards of performance and professional development
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance requirements, accounting policies and financial reporting deadlines
• Coordinate relevant corporate governance and statutory financial matters in line with company and UK requirements

Skills

Financial planning

Cash flow management

Cost control

Financial analysis

Auditing

Negotiation

Decision making

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field

ACCA/CIMA/ACA or equivalent

Tools

SAP ERP

MS Excel

L/Cs knowledge

Job description

Assan Panel UK Ltd is seeking an experienced Financial Affairs Executive to lead finance and accounting operations across the UK business. You will manage cash flow, budgeting, IFRS reporting, and statutory compliance while collaborating with banks, auditors and management to drive profitability and growth.

The role requires hands-on leadership in a manufacturing environment, strong IFRS knowledge, and a track record of delivering accurate financial insights to support strategic decisions.