Divisional Finance Director in Leicester

AtkinsClarke have been exclusively engaged to deliver on the search for a commercially focused Divisional Finance Director to join a large and highly successful consumer-led organisation with a significant operational footprint across the East Midlands. This is a pivotal leadership role within a thriving division of a major UK group, partnering closely with a talented and commercially astute Managing Director to help drive profitable growth, improve performance visibility and elevate the finance function from a reporting environment into a genuine strategic business partner.

The business is experiencing sustained growth, major customer expansion and continued investment in innovation, creating an outstanding opportunity for an experienced finance leader looking to influence both operational and strategic performance within a fast-paced environment.

Our client is a large-scale, multi-site FMCG organisation operating within a highly competitive and customer-focused market. With a turnover of c£400m across the division and a workforce of over 1,500 employees, the business supplies nationally recognised retail and consumer customers across the UK and continues to deliver impressive growth despite wider market challenges. The organisation has built a strong reputation for operational delivery, innovation and customer partnerships, supported by significant investment into systems, data and future growth initiatives.

Following continued expansion and a broader leadership evolution across the group, the business is now looking to appoint a high-calibre Finance Director who can help shape the next phase of commercial and operational growth.

Reporting into senior divisional leadership, the Divisional Finance Director will take ownership of a sizeable finance function while acting as a trusted commercial advisor to the Managing Director and wider leadership team. The role will suit a commercially minded and operationally aware finance leader who enjoys working closely with stakeholders to challenge performance, improve visibility and influence strategic decision-making. This is not a traditional reporting-focused FD role. The organisation is seeking someone who can help create a stronger commercial finance culture across the business and drive finance deeper into operational and strategic conversations.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing a sizeable multi-site finance function
• Acting as strategic finance partner to the divisional Managing Director
• Driving improved commercial insight, forecasting and performance visibility
• Supporting operational leaders with proactive analysis and decision support
• Improving financial reporting, data utilisation and business intelligence capability
• Challenging margins, cost models and operational efficiencies
• Supporting growth initiatives, customer profitability and innovation projects
• Developing a more commercially focused finance culture across the business
• Leading budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning processes
• Supporting senior leadership with strategic decision-making and future growth plans
• Driving process improvements, governance and financial controls across the division

This role offers genuine strategic influence within a high-performing and evolving business environment.

We are looking for an experienced and commercially capable Finance Director who combines strong technical capability with exceptional stakeholder engagement and leadership skills. The successful candidate will likely demonstrate:

• Previous experience operating within a large, complex or multi-site environment
• Strong commercial finance and business partnering capability
• The ability to influence senior operational and commercial stakeholders
• Experience leading and developing finance teams through change and growth
• Strong analytical and data interpretation capability
• Confidence operating within fast-paced operational environments
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery
• A collaborative and approachable leadership style
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage at all levels
• Experience within FMCG, manufacturing, retail or another operationally intensive environment would be advantageous

Most importantly, the business is seeking someone who can build relationships, bring energy and credibility to the leadership team and help shape the future direction of the finance function.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a highly successful and growing organisation in a visible and influential leadership role with genuine long-term potential. Salary up to £150,000 Executive benefits package including car allowance, bonus and family healthcare. Hybrid working environment. Significant strategic exposure within a large-scale organisation. Opportunity to shape and evolve a major finance function. Long-term growth and progression potential. High-performing and commercially ambitious leadership team.

To apply for this position, please click on the apply now button and your CV will be sent directly to the responsible recruiter. We will respond to successful applicants within 7 days, however, please feel free to get in touch if you would like any further information about your application.

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