Financial Controller

We are recruiting an experienced Financial Controller to provide maternity cover within a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing organisation. This role is responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the finance function, maintaining robust financial controls, and supporting business operations throughout the contract period.

Working closely with the Finance Director and wider leadership team, the successful candidate will oversee all core financial accounting activities, ensure compliance with internal controls and statutory requirements, and provide accurate financial reporting to support operational and strategic decision-making within a regulated manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day finance function, ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of all business-as-usual finance activities.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations and financial reports in accordance with reporting deadlines.
• Manage the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.
• Oversee cash flow management, working capital, treasury activities and liquidity forecasting.
• Ensure robust financial controls are maintained across all finance processes.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities in collaboration with operational and commercial teams.
• Monitor manufacturing costs, inventory valuation, standard costing and stock reconciliations.
• Review financial performance against budget, investigating variances and providing insightful commentary to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements, VAT, corporation tax and other regulatory obligations.
• Coordinate external audit activities and liaise with auditors, tax advisers and external stakeholders.
• Manage and support members of the finance team, ensuring effective workload management and continuous development.
• Partner with manufacturing, supply chain and operations teams to provide financial insight into production performance and operational efficiencies.
• Maintain compliance with internal policies and procedures, supporting the business within a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment.
• Assist with ad hoc finance projects and process improvement initiatives where required.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Proven Financial Controller experience within manufacturing, pharmaceutical, life sciences, FMCG or another regulated industry.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge with experience of statutory reporting and financial controls.
• Experience managing month-end close, management reporting and external audits.
• Knowledge of inventory accounting, manufacturing cost reporting and standard costing principles.
• Strong understanding of ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics or equivalent.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyse and present complex financial information.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight reporting deadlines.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across finance and operational teams.