Head of Finance

Genesis Employment Services Ltd; Atherstone; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading employment services provider in the UK is seeking an Interim Head of Finance to lead financial operations in a manufacturing setting. This role requires a fully qualified accountant with proven experience in manufacturing finance and the ability to deliver quick impact in a dynamic environment. Responsibilities include financial oversight, compliance, and providing strategic commercial insights. The contract is competitive and duration ranges from 3 to 12 months, with an immediate start preferred.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Interim Head of Finance or Financial Controller in engineering or manufacturing.
• Strong experience in cost structures, WIP management, and statutory compliance.
• Hands-on approach with a focus on operational improvement and financial governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance team ensuring robust financial governance.
• Ownership of product costing and financial reporting.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and commercial insight for investment decisions.

Skills

Manufacturing finance expertise

Advanced Excel skills

Financial modelling capability

Attention to detail

Operational mindset

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Tools

ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Dynamics)

Job description

Interim Head of Finance - Engineering & Manufacturing

Location: On-site / Hybrid (UK-based manufacturing environment)

Contract Type: Interim / Fixed-Term Contract (3-12 months)

Day Rate / Salary: Competitive - dependent on experience and scope

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Interim Head of Finance to provide immediate leadership within an engineering/manufacturing business. The role will support the organisation through a period of operational focus, growth, system improvement, or change, ensuring strong financial control, accurate reporting, and commercially focused insight across production, supply chain, and operations.

This role requires a hands‑on finance leader with a deep understanding of manufacturing cost structures, margins, and operational drivers.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Control

• Lead the finance function, ensuring strong financial governance and control
• Oversee day-to-day finance operations including AP, AR, payroll, and cashflow
• Ensure timely production of accurate monthly management accounts
• Maintain robust balance sheet control, including stock, WIP, and accruals

Manufacturing & Operational Finance

• Full ownership of product costing, standard costing, and variance analysis
• Manage and report on WIP, stock valuation, and inventory controls
• Partner with operations and production teams to improve efficiency and margins
• Analyse labour, material, overhead absorption, and yield
• Support pricing, quoting, and margin analysis for engineered products

Reporting, Compliance & Governance

• Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance (VAT, PAYE, corporation tax)
• Prepare information for year-end accounts and audits
• Liaise with auditors, banks, funders, and external advisors
• Improve reporting visibility across manufacturing KPIs

Commercial & Strategic Support

• Support budgeting, forecasting, and rolling forecasts
• Deliver cashflow forecasting and working capital optimisation
• Provide commercial insight to support capital investment decisions (CapEx)
• Support funding, refinancing, or investor reporting where required

Change & Transition

• Stabilise the finance function during periods of change or growth
• Lead or support ERP / finance system improvements or implementations
• Strengthen finance processes and controls within a manufacturing setting
• Mentor and develop the existing finance team
• Ensure a smooth handover to a permanent Head of Finance or FD

Key Requirements

Essential

• Proven experience as an Interim Head of Finance / Financial Controller / Finance Director within engineering or manufacturing
• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Strong experience in manufacturing finance, including stock, WIP, and costing
• Advanced Excel skills and strong financial modelling capability
• Experience partnering closely with operations and production teams
• Hands‑on, pragmatic approach with strong attention to detail

Desirable

• Previous interim or turnaround experience
• Experience in SME, PE‑backed, or owner‑managed manufacturing businesses
• Exposure to ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, Sage, NetSuite, EFACS, Epicor)
• Experience supporting CapEx projects, automation, or process improvement
• Exposure to lean manufacturing or continuous improvement environments

Personal Attributes

• Commercially focused with an operational mindset
• Comfortable on the shop floor as well as in the boardroom
• Calm, credible, and decisive under pressure
• Able to deliver impact quickly in a fast‑paced environment

Start Date

Immediate or short notice preferred