Head of Finance

Exciting New Opportunity: Head of Finance, Chilton, Ferryhill, County Durham (with occasional travel to Derby).

Are you an experienced Financial Controller or Manager who is looking to develop their career with a very well established Engineering & Manufacturing business based in the North East? Are you ready to broaden your experience and take the next step into a 'Head of Finance' role with a business who has a portfolio of global customers? Are you looking for a role where you can grow and expand your thinking, and influence decisions across all aspects of the business? If that’s you, keep reading!

Our client 'Hydram' in Chilton, South Durham, is one of the largest subcontract precision sheet metal fabrication companies in Europe, and a leader in the UK sheet metal fabrication market. We are looking for a proactive and ambitious finance professional to lead and develop the finance team and department. We want someone with ideas and innovation who will sharpen systems, make improvements, automate processes, and guide other managers on how to be more efficient and save costs in the business.

How you will make an impact on the business:

• Lead the accounting and finance department, setting strategic financial goals for the team, the department and the business.
• Oversee all financial operations, budgeting, financial planning, including forecasting and variance analysis.
• Develop and implement robust financial processes and systems.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and standards.
• Manage relationships with investors, stakeholders, and financial institutions.
• Financial reporting and interpret financial information to company management.
• Set annual budgets and consolidate monthly reports.
• Prepare statutory accounts and work with external auditors.
• Develop and maintain cost accounting systems and methodologies to ensure accurate product costing and inventory valuation.
• Analyse and interpret financial data to provide insights and recommendations for improving financial performance.
• Own all transactions related to the accuracy of the general ledger, job costing, inventory, receivables, payables, and resulting financial reports.
• Actively identify opportunities for cost savings and process efficiencies.
• Manage corporate insurance and risk management policies and procedures.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports as needed (along with daily KPI updates).
• Develop secure procedures to maintain confidential information.
• Ensure all accounting activities and internal audits comply with financial regulations.
• Contribute to companywide staffing requirements planning.
• Evaluate capital expenditures and ROI.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a driven and ambitious finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment. The skills and experience that are important to us:

• A finance professional who can demonstrate continuous career growth.
• Experience of managing, motivating, and developing a finance team.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills.
• Experience of leading and supporting projects outside of the finance function.
• Excellent understanding of financial statistics and accounting principles.
• Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills.
• Hands-on experience with budgeting, risk management, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Proficient in presenting financial data to leadership teams.
• In-depth understanding of bank reconciliation and bookkeeping processes.
• Dynamic, charismatic, self-motivated, enthusiastic and proactive.
• Humility - We are looking for a Team player!

Qualifications and Experience:

A strong educational background in Finance, Accounting, or a related field, with relevant qualifications (CIMA, ACCA, ACA, CIPFA). Ideally someone with industry experience as a Finance Manager/Controller although candidates from an audit/practice background may also be considered. Previous experience preparing budgets, statutory accounts, financial statements and Sage 200 accounting software.

What we would like to offer you so that you feel valued:

• A career not just a job!
• The opportunity to grow and develop your career.
• Reporting to a supportive MD who will champion your development.
• Working in a culture where hard work meets praise and recognition.
• An annual salary of between £75-90k (depending on experience).
• 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays per year (holiday year runs Jan-Dec).
• Flexible start and finish times to support work-life balance.
• Company pension contributions.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment where innovation is encouraged.
• This is a site-based role 5 days per week with a flexible approach to working hours and an early finish on a Friday.

If you would like to take the next step in your career and make a difference where you will be a valued member of the team, please apply today. Please note that applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.