Financial Controller

Better placed recruitment; Wales; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established recruitment firm is seeking a Financial Controller for a manufacturing business in South Wales. This hands-on leadership role involves financial insight, compliance, and strategic decision-making. The successful candidate will be responsible for site accounting, budgeting, and partnering with operational colleagues. Offering a salary of £60,000 - £80,000, plus benefits including hybrid working and private healthcare.

Benefits

Private healthcare

Pension

Life assurance

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Learning and development benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in manufacturing, engineering, or supply chain-led environments.
• Skilled in cost control, financial planning, and performance analysis.
• Strong communicator with the confidence to challenge and influence.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of site management accounting activities and ensure accuracy.
• Develop a cost accounting framework delivering insights into production efficiency.
• Prepare and present financial results highlighting trends and risks.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and planning aligned with strategic priorities.
• Partner with production and supply chain to drive cost visibility.
• Oversee inventory valuation and stock movement reporting.
• Support investment projects with financial modelling and business case preparation.

Skills

Financial planning

Cost control

Performance analysis

Strong communication

Job description

Financial Controller – Established Manufacturing Business – South Wales

Better Placed are working on a retained basis with a long-established, sustainable manufacturing business as they look to appoint a Financial Controller to join their South Wales site.

This is a key, hands-on leadership role within the site management team, ideal for someone who enjoys being close to operations while shaping strategic decisions. You’ll provide the financial insight, control, and forward-looking analysis that supports performance improvement and long-term planning.

The Role

• Take ownership of all site management accounting activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and clear reporting to Group.
• Develop and maintain a robust cost accounting framework that delivers meaningful insight into production efficiency and product margins.
• Prepare and present site financial results, highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities to the leadership team.
• Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and planning cycle, ensuring alignment with operational and strategic priorities.
• Partner with production, supply chain, and commercial colleagues to drive cost visibility and accountability.
• Oversee inventory valuation and stock movement reporting, ensuring integrity across systems and processes.
• Support key investment and improvement projects with financial modelling, business case preparation, and post-project review.
• Continuously challenge and refine processes to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and transparency across finance operations.

About You

You’re a proactive, analytically minded finance professional who enjoys combining operational detail with strategic thinking. Comfortable influencing non-financial teams, you’ll bring clarity, curiosity, and a drive for improvement to everything you do.

Desirable

• Proven experience in manufacturing, engineering, or supply chain-led environments.
• Skilled in cost control, financial planning, and performance analysis.
• Strong communicator with the confidence to challenge and influence.
• Adaptable, hands-on, and motivated by making a tangible impact on site performance.

Package

• £60,000 - £80,000
• Private healthcare, pension, and life assurance
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Hybrid working (2–3 days per week on-site)
• Additional wellbeing, learning, and development benefits

If you’re looking for a site-based finance leadership role with real visibility, autonomy, and the chance to make a measurable difference in a people-focused, sustainable manufacturer, we’d love to hear from you.