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- Tasks: Lead finance operations, drive improvements, and influence business performance in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a leading UK food manufacturing business with a collaborative site leadership team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, comprehensive healthcare, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Why this job: Take ownership of P&L and make a real impact in a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong manufacturing finance experience and leadership skills.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced production environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Our client, a leading UK food manufacturing business, is seeking an experienced Finance Lead to join their site leadership team. This is a strategic and operational finance role, ideal for a qualified accountant with strong manufacturing finance experience who enjoys influencing business performance and driving improvements across people, processes, and P&L.
The site employs over 180 colleagues and delivers a turnover exceeding £90 million. The role reports directly into the Plant Manager and forms a key part of the site leadership team.
Leadership & People- Serve as an integral member of the Site Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning and performance tracking.
- Lead and develop the on-site finance function, including line management of site-based finance colleagues.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, embedding operational finance insights and leadership behaviours across the site.
- Own the site financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, covering manufacturing, overheads, logistics, and capital expenditure.
- Deliver timely financial reporting, including weekly, monthly, and annual KPIs and dashboards.
- Maintain robust financial controls and ensure compliance during period-end reporting and external audits.
- Oversee capital project approvals, investment appraisals, and asset management.
- Provide insight and challenge across cost centres, manufacturing, and supply chain to identify opportunities for efficiency and value creation.
- Support operational teams in embedding finance best practice and translating data into actionable insight.
- Contribute to loss analysis, process improvements, and ERP system implementation.
- Deliver product costings for new developments and tenders, supporting commercial decision-making.
- Fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA, or CA).
- Strong experience in manufacturing finance, including inventory management, BOMs, variance analysis, and cost control.
- Proficient in Excel (advanced functions) and ERP systems; Power BI experience advantageous.
- Previous exposure to capital investment projects and audits preferred.
- Proven leadership and coaching experience, with the ability to influence and drive change across multiple teams.
- Ideally, previous experience in food manufacturing or fast-paced production environments.
- Competitive salary with annual bonus scheme.
- Comprehensive healthcare package including private medical, digital GP services, and specialist care.
- Pension plan with contribution matching.
- Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy additional days.
- Employee benefits platform offering discounts, wellbeing support, and more.
This is an excellent opportunity for a commercial, hands-on finance professional looking to take ownership of a site’s P&L, drive operational excellence, and be part of a collaborative leadership team within a high-performing food manufacturing business.
Finance Lead – Manufacturing / Operations in Sheffield employer: Alexander Steele Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Alexander Steele Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Lead – Manufacturing / Operations in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food manufacturing sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Finance Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of operational finance and the specific challenges faced in manufacturing. Be ready to share examples of how you've driven improvements and influenced business performance in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, highlight your experience in managing teams and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Employers want to see that you can lead and inspire others in a fast-paced environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles that match your skills and experience. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team in the food manufacturing industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Lead – Manufacturing / Operations in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Finance Lead. Highlight your manufacturing finance experience and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can influence business performance!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in finance processes or led teams in the past.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your proficiency in Excel and any ERP systems you've worked with. If you have experience with Power BI, make sure to include that too! We love seeing candidates who are tech-savvy.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Steele Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to manufacturing, such as P&L statements, cost control, and budgeting processes. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive improvements in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership and coaching abilities. Prepare examples of how you've led finance teams or influenced cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a tangible impact on business performance.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the food manufacturing industry and the specific challenges it faces. Research the company’s operations, recent news, and their approach to continuous improvement. This will help you tailor your responses and show genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle financial challenges. Think about past experiences where you identified inefficiencies or implemented process improvements, and be ready to discuss the outcomes.
