Senior Finance Manager in Peterborough

We are delighted to be representing a high growth Manufacturing business, based in Peterborough in their search for a Senior Finance Manager. We are seeking a qualified commercially and operationally focussed accountant to take ownership of the internal reporting, FP&A and operational finance functions. The position will play a central role across management reporting, commercial business partnering, and operational finance, supporting strategic decision‑making and financial performance across the business.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise, taking ownership of the month‑end close and balance sheet with the commercial insight required to partner effectively with the Executive Leadership Team, CFO and CEO. They will also bring the leadership capability to develop the finance team and drive accountability. This is a high‑visibility, influential position within a fast‑paced, AIM‑listed FMCG business.

The business is a fast‑moving, team‑first business where the best idea wins regardless of where it comes from. Hierarchy doesn’t slow them down – collaboration does the heavy lifting. People here take full ownership of their work, from the spark of an idea all the way through to results on shelf and numbers on a page. There’s no passing the baton and walking away; you see it through, you learn from it, and you make it better next time. They move quickly and adapt. If a problem needs solving, they solve it; we don’t wait for the perfect conditions or the perfect brief. That agility isn’t just a working style, it’s genuinely how we’re structured: flexible in how and where we work, lean enough to make decisions fast, and trusting enough to give talented people real responsibility from day one.

This is a place where curious, driven, solutions‑focused people do some of their best work because they’re given the space, the autonomy, and the team around them to make it happen. If you’re energised by pace, motivated by ownership, and want to feel the direct impact of your work on a brand you’re proud of, you’ll fit right in.

• Full ownership of the month‑end close process, including management accounts, journals, overhead analysis, P&L and balance sheet preparation, and variance analysis.
• Responsibility for group consolidation and delivery of timely, accurate management reporting to the CFO and Executive Leadership Team.
• Drive automation and system improvement across the finance function, including ERP optimisation.
• Ensure all statutory and regulatory compliance obligations are met, working alongside the Financial Reporting Manager.
• Lead the annual budget process and rolling reforecast cycle, partnering with budget holders to challenge assumptions and drive rigour.
• Deliver regular financial forecasts, updating assumptions to reflect trading performance and market conditions.
• Provide meaningful variance analysis against budget, forecast and prior year, translating numbers into clear business narrative.
• Lead financial appraisal of capital investment proposals, including ROI analysis and post‑investment review.

• Act as the senior finance presence within Manufacturing Operations, driving financial accountability and performance improvement.
• Own standard costing, PPV and labour variance analysis – providing robust insight to support margin management and pricing decisions.
• Partner with the CEO and ELT to provide financial analysis that supports strategic decision‑making.
• Conduct financial appraisals of ad hoc commercial initiatives, new product development, and cost‑saving programmes.
• Direct line management of the management accounts team (currently three headcount: Management Accountant, Junior Management Accountant, Overheads Controller), coaching, stretching and retaining finance talent.
• Represent finance credibly at senior level, including in board and investor‑facing contexts where required.

• Fully qualified accountant – ACA, ACCA or CIMA – is non‑negotiable.
• Minimum 5 years post‑qualification experience, with at least 3 years in a Financial Controller or equivalent role.
• Proven track record in a product‑led, manufacturing or FMCG business is strongly preferred; exposure to standard costing and manufacturing variances is a significant advantage.
• Demonstrable experience owning an end‑to‑end finance function.
• Deep technical accounting capability across financial reporting, balance sheet management and internal controls.
• Advanced Excel and strong ERP proficiency (experience with manufacturing‑oriented systems preferred).
• Ability to build, interrogate and present financial models clearly and confidently.
• A natural business partner – able to engage and influence non‑finance stakeholders, including the CEO and operational directors.
• Strong leadership presence: able to hold a team accountable while investing genuinely in their development.
• Commercially curious, with the instinct to connect financial data to operational reality.
• Clear communicator who can translate complexity into insight for senior and board‑level audiences.
• Comfortable operating with pace and managing competing priorities in a lean, entrepreneurial environment.