Interim Financial Director

Harvey Nash IT Recruitment UK; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 148,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvey Nash IT Recruitment UK is supporting a large multi-site manufacturing business to appoint an Interim Finance Director on a 6-month contract (Inside IR35). The role sits on the Senior Leadership Team, acting as deputy to the MD and providing leadership across the organisation.

You'll partner with Site Directors to improve performance, drive operational finance, challenge assumptions, and shape strategic direction across Leicester, Cornwall and Plymouth with on-site presence and travel

Qualifications

• Senior finance leadership with demonstrated impact.
• Experience driving performance across multi-site manufacturing.
• Proven ability to challenge stakeholders and shape strategy.
• Experience in multi-site matrix organisations.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted adviser and deputy to the Managing Director.
• Drive operational and financial performance across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Partner with Site Directors and senior stakeholders to challenge performance and deliver results.
• Lead financial planning, forecasting, reporting and performance analysis.
• Provide insight into manufacturing variances, margins, cost control and operational efficiency.
• Support business transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships while driving accountability and performance.

Skills

Senior finance leadership

Operational finance

Stakeholder management

Manufacturing FMCG

Education

ACA or CIMA qualification

Job description

Finance Director | Manufacturing/FMCG | 6-Month Contract | Inside IR35

This role requires a visible on-site presence across Leicester, Cornwall and Plymouth, with travel expenses covered.

We're supporting a large multi-site manufacturing business in the search for an experienced Interim Finance Director to join its Senior Leadership Team on an initial 6-month contract.

This is far more than a traditional Finance Director role. Acting as a trusted deputy to the MD, you'll provide leadership across the business, driving operational performance, challenging stakeholders, and helping shape strategic direction across multiple sites.

The Opportunity

The business is seeking a commercially and operationally focused finance leader who can influence beyond finance. You'll partner closely with the MD, Site Directors and senior leadership team to improve performance, identify opportunities, and ensure accountability across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted adviser and deputy to the Managing Director.
• Drive operational and financial performance across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Partner with Site Directors and senior stakeholders to challenge performance and deliver results.
• Lead financial planning, forecasting, reporting and performance analysis.
• Provide insight into manufacturing variances, margins, cost control and operational efficiency.
• Support business transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships while driving accountability and performance.

About You

We're looking for an experienced finance leader with strong operational credibility and a track record of influencing at senior level.

You'll ideally have:

• ACA or CIMA qualification.
• Finance Director or equivalent senior finance leadership experience.
• Manufacturing and/or FMCG experience.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing finance and operational performance drivers.
• Experience operating within complex, multi-site Matrix organisations.
• The confidence and gravitas to challenge senior stakeholders constructively.
• A hands-on leadership style with a visible presence on site.

Location & Travel

You'll be expected to spend at least three days per week on-site, split across:

• Leicester
• Callington (Cornwall)
• Plymouth

We're particularly interested in candidates based within reasonable reach of either Leicester or Callington, with flexibility to travel regularly between sites. Travel expenses will be covered.

If you're an operationally focused Finance Director who enjoys getting close to the business, influencing decision-making and driving performance beyond the numbers, we'd love to hear from you.