Head of Finance

Acuity Associates; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Acuity Associates in Milton Keynes seeks a commercially astute Head of Finance to join its leadership team. The role combines day-to-day financial operations with a strategic, business‑partnering mandate to drive growth and robust financial controls.

Reporting to the board and CFO, you will shape the company’s direction, manage budgeting, forecasting and treasury, and partner with operations on strategic projects such as new market entry and efficiency improvements.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with manufacturing costing experience.
• Proven ability to lead budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management.
• Experience with Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar ERP/finance system.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the full financial operations of the business, including preparation of management accounts, cash flow forecasting, and budgeting.
• Lead the costing process, ensuring accurate product costing and margin analysis to inform pricing and operational decisions.
• Develop and implement financial controls, systems, and processes to support the company’s growth.
• Partner with the leadership team on strategic projects, such as new market entry, operational efficiency improvements, and expansion plans.
• Deliver insightful financial analysis and reporting to support data-driven decision-making.
• Act as a business partner to operational teams, fostering strong communication and collaboration across departments.
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, banks, and advisers.

Skills

Costing & margin analysis

Leadership

Business partnering

ERP/Finance systems

Excel/Analytics

Communication

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Dynamics 365 Business Central

Job description

Our client is a well-established UK manufacturer, supplying the construction sectors. The business has built a strong reputation for bespoke, high-quality solutions, and operates across a small portfolio of specialist product lines.

Current turnover is approximately £15m+. The company is pursuing further growth, including new product lines and innovations, geographic expansion & integration.

As the business continues to grow, it is seeking a commercially astute Head of Finance to join its leadership team.

The Role

This is a pivotal role in the business, encompassing day-to-day financial operations alongside a key leadership function. Reporting directly to the board of directors and fractional CFO, the successful candidate will play a key part in shaping the company’s strategic direction while ensuring robust financial controls and processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the full financial operations of the business, including preparation of management accounts, cash flow forecasting, and budgeting.
• Lead the costing process, ensuring accurate product costing and margin analysis to inform pricing and operational decisions.
• Develop and implement financial controls, systems, and processes to support the company’s growth.
• Partner with the leadership team on strategic projects, such as new market entry, operational efficiency improvements, and expansion plans.
• Deliver insightful financial analysis and reporting to support data-driven decision-making.
• Act as a business partner to operational teams, fostering strong communication and collaboration across departments.
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, banks, and advisers.

The Candidate

To succeed in this role, you will need to be an experienced and hands-on finance professional with a track record in a manufacturing environment. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as you will work closely with the leadership team and operational teams. Someone ideally with a business partnering background and a collaborative mindset.

Key Requirements

• A fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA (ideal)) or equivalent.
• Proven experience in a manufacturing environment, with expertise in costing and margin analysis.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (or a comparable ERP/finance system) is essential.
• Strong systems experience, with the ability to implement and improve financial systems and processes.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Commercially minded, with experience in strategic planning and business partnering.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and drive change.
• A hands-on, proactive approach, with a desire to develop.

Why Join?

• Be part of a well-established business with a clear vision for future growth.
• Play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of a growing business.
• Opportunity to grow into a No.1 role in time, if proven capable and aligned with the company’s growth plans.
• Collaborative environment where your contribution will have a real impact.

Acuity Associates and our clients are committed to equal opportunities. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering inclusive working environments where everyone can thrive.

At the core of every search is The Acuity Method, our proprietary assessment framework. It combines evidence-led insight into a candidate’s capability and potential with an assessment of their career credibility and alignment with the client’s working environment. Each area is considered by experienced search professionals to support fair, informed and lasting hiring decisions.