Finance Director (Temp to Perm)

FINANCE DIRECTOR
Interim to Permanent | Warwickshire | On-site
Immediate or short-notice start required

The opportunity
An established SME manufacturer in the Warwickshire area is seeking a commercially minded, hands-on Finance Director or Senior Financial Controller to lead a significant finance transformation. The role will begin on an interim basis, with a genuine opportunity to move into the permanent Finance Director position.

The immediate priority is to create a fully standalone finance function, transitioning the business away from its current shared-service arrangement. You will take ownership of the separation, establish the right controls and reporting, recruit and develop the finance team, and ensure the function can operate independently.

This is a broad SME leadership role for someone who can move comfortably between detailed financial delivery and strategic commercial support. You will work closely with the leadership team, bringing greater financial visibility, discipline and insight as the business enters its next phase of growth.

Key responsibilities
- Lead the transition from a shared-service finance model to a standalone finance function.
- Design the target finance structure and recruit, lead and develop the team required to support it.
- Establish fit-for-purpose systems, reporting processes, controls and governance.
- Take hands-on ownership of the full finance cycle, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and management accounts.
- Lead month-end and year-end close, ensuring timely, accurate and decision-useful reporting.
- Manage cash flow forecasting, working capital and treasury activities with a strong focus on control and visibility.
- Own the annual audit process and maintain an effective relationship with external advisers.
- Develop budgets, forecasts, variance analysis, KPIs and management information.
- Partner with operational and commercial leaders to improve profitability, margin control and business performance.
- Provide clear financial insight and constructive challenge to the leadership team and board.

About you
You will be a pragmatic finance leader who enjoys building, improving and delivering. The successful candidate is likely to offer:

- A recognised professional accounting qualification: ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
- Proven experience of establishing or separating a finance function, ideally through a carve-out or comparable business transition.
- Experience operating as a standalone Finance Director, or as a senior Financial Controller ready to step into a first Finance Director role.
- A strong manufacturing, engineering, industrial or automotive finance background
- Experience in a private equity-backed business or a similarly fast-paced, autonomous SME environment.
- Strong cash management, forecasting, financial control and management reporting capability.
- The willingness and technical confidence to remain hands-on while building the team and infrastructure around you.
- Commercial judgement, resilience and the ability to influence senior operational stakeholders.

Why consider this role?
- A visible leadership position with genuine influence over the future shape of the business.
- The opportunity to build a finance function, team and operating model rather than inherit a finished structure.
- A broad remit combining financial control, operational finance and commercial partnership.
- A clear route from an initial interim assignment into a permanent Finance Director appointment for the right person.

Location and working pattern

The role is based on-site in the Warwickshire area. Candidates should live within a sustainable commuting distance and be comfortable maintaining a strong on-site presence during the transition.
How to apply

Please apply with an up-to-date CV and a brief note outlining your experience of finance-function build-outs, carve-outs or comparable transformation projects, together with your availability to start.