Interim FD (Ideally Interim-to-Perm) - Mid-sized Building Materials

Russam; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Russam is recruiting an Interim Financial Director for a mid-sized building materials business. The role provides a hands-on opportunity with a clear path to a permanent FD.

You will lead a small accounts team, shape financial strategy and deliver robust monthly reporting to the MD and family board. You will bring an ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification and proven senior finance leadership in SMEs, with experience in cost control, cash forecasting and potential M&A activity.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification.
• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or senior finance leader in an SME.
• Strong management accounting and job costing.
• Exposure to M&A, acquisitions, disposals or business sales.
• Experience guiding a business through turnaround or tough trading conditions.
• Manufacturing, construction or building products sector experience is desirable.
• Resilient, consultative leadership style earning the trust of a family board.
• Willing to commute to Thrapston and commit long term.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop an accounts team of three and modernise finance functions.
• Own month-end, management accounts, year-end and audit relationships.
• Strengthen financial controls across sites, including stock and job costing.
• Report margin by division and by job to identify profit leaks.
• Manage cash flow, rolling forecasts, budgeting and reforecasting.
• Partner with MD on pricing, investment and cost reduction initiatives.
• Contribute to long-term financial planning and potential M&A activity.
• Attend board meetings and manage relationships with banks and advisers.
• Oversee IT, suppliers and support HR and recruitment.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Management accounting

SME experience

M&A exposure

Turnaround experience

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification

Job description

Home > Vacancies > Interim FD (Ideally Interim-to-Perm) - Mid-sized Building Materials

Interim FD (Ideally Interim-to-Perm) - Mid-sized Building Materials

Russam is supporting a mid-sized family business in the house building and materials sector. They have tried a fractional resource but it hasn't worked out; they seek an Interim FD who can quickly add value and advise on various directions for the business; leading to a perm role ideally.

After a challenging period for the construction and building products market, the business is entering a phase of modernisation and margin recovery. This is a pivotal, hands-on role at the heart of the senior leadership team, acting as a trusted right hand to the Managing Director on financial, commercial and strategic decisions, including shaping the long-term options for the business. For the right person, there is a clear path to Finance Director.

• Finance leadership: Lead, mentor and develop an accounts team of three, building capability and confidence as the function modernises.
• Reporting: Own month-end, management accounts, year-end and the audit relationship, delivering clear monthly reporting to the MD and board.
• Controls: Strengthen financial controls across both sites, including stock control, reconciliations and job costing.
• Profitability: Report margin by division and by job, so the business knows exactly where it makes and loses money.
• Cash & forecasting: Manage cash flow and working capital through a rolling cash forecast, and lead budgeting and reforecasting.
• Commercial partnering: Act as a sounding board to the MD on pricing, investment and cost reduction, driving the profit improvement plan.
• Strategy & corporate finance: Contribute to long-term financial planning and strategic options, including potential M&A activity.
• Governance: Attend board meetings, report to the family shareholders and manage relationships with banks, auditors and advisers.
• Wider business: Oversee IT infrastructure and suppliers, and support HR and recruitment alongside colleagues.

The Desired Candidate

You will be a qualified, commercially sharp finance leader, most likely an ambitious Financial Controller ready for the step up to FD, or an FD who relishes a hands-on brief. You will combine strong technical controls with the confidence and presence to advise on strategy.

You will bring:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification.
• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or senior finance leader in an SME.
• Strong management accounting, including job or contract costing.
• Exposure to M&A, acquisitions, disposals or a business sale process.
• Experience of supporting a business through turnaround, profit improvement or tough trading conditions.
• A background in manufacturing, construction or building products (desirable rather than essential).
• A resilient, consultative style, with the gravitas to challenge constructively and earn the trust of a family board.
• A long-term commitment to the business, living within comfortable commuting distance of Thrapston.