Head of Finance

MacGregor Black; Penrith; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing food manufacturing company seeks an Interim Head of Finance to cover maternity leave for 4 months in Penrith. This critical leadership role involves overseeing the finance function, ensuring compliance, budgeting, and delivering financial insights to support decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with experience in senior finance roles.
• Hands-on approach, proactive, and comfortable in fast-paced settings.
• Strong communication skills to influence at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the finance function, overseeing daily operations.
• Deliver timely and accurate management accounts and reports.
• Budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management during maternity cover.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Reporting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cash Flow Management

Compliance

Communication

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Job description

Head of Finance (Interim – Maternity Cover)

• Are you a qualified accountant with a strong track record in financial leadership and operational finance?

• Do you thrive in fast-paced, hands-on environments within food manufacturing or FMCG?

• Are you ready to lead a finance function through a key transition period, delivering stability, insight, and impact?

MacGregor Black are partnering with a growing food manufacturing business on the search for an Interim Head of Finance to cover maternity leave. This is a 4-month contract based in Penrith, with an immediate start.

This is a critical leadership role offering the opportunity to maintain continuity and drive financial clarity during a period of change.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function, managing a small team and overseeing daily operations
• Deliver timely, accurate management accounts, reports, and analysis to the senior team
• Own budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management during the maternity cover period
• Ensure compliance with statutory, tax, and audit obligations
• Act as a business partner to operational and commercial teams, supporting margin optimisation and cost control
• Provide clear, actionable financial insight to support decision-making
• Maintain and improve financial processes, systems, and controls
• Liaise with auditors, banks, and other external stakeholders

What Are We Looking For?

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Experience at a senior finance level within food manufacturing, FMCG, or related sectors
• Hands-on, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-moving SME environment
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence at senior levels
• Able to hit the ground running and commit to the full 4-month interim period

Please contact Carl Maw for full details.