Financial Controller in Birmingham

We are supporting a well-established Life Sciences manufacturing organisation in the West Midlands to appoint a Financial Controller. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role responsible for the integrity of financial reporting, statutory compliance, and the overall financial health of the site. The position plays a key role within the local leadership team, partnering closely with operational and commercial stakeholders to drive performance, support decision-making, and ensure robust financial control.

The successful individual will report to both the Finance Director and the Manufacturing Site Manager, reflecting the importance of the role from both a financial governance and operational leadership perspective. The position also carries direct responsibility for managing members of the finance team, making this a genuine leadership appointment rather than a purely technical accounting role.

• Lead the preparation and delivery of monthly management accounts, ensuring accuracy, completeness and alignment with both UK and US GAAP where required.
• Produce timely and insightful financial reports, dashboards and analysis, highlighting trends, risks and opportunities.
• Maintain robust financial controls, ensuring all transactions are appropriately recorded, documented and auditable.
• Oversee balance sheet integrity, including full ownership of reconciliations and supporting schedules.
• Ensure full compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, including VAT, taxation and statutory accounts.
• Manage the preparation of year-end accounts and act as the primary contact for external auditors.
• Coordinate and deliver all audit requirements, ensuring a smooth and timely audit process.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant financial regulations and ensure the business remains compliant.
• Lead the development of budgets, forecasts and financial plans, working closely with operational leadership.
• Deliver regular variance analysis against budget and forecast, providing clear insight into performance drivers.
• Support senior stakeholders in identifying opportunities to improve margin, cost efficiency and profitability.
• Provide forward-looking financial insight to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Oversee cash flow management, including forecasting, reporting and optimisation of working capital.
• Manage bank reconciliations and ensure accuracy of all cash-related reporting.
• Maintain and enhance financial systems, including ERP/MRP integration and reporting capability.
• Ensure the integrity and maintenance of the fixed asset register.
• Oversee payroll-related financial elements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with internal and statutory requirements.
• Ensure all financial policies, procedures and controls are consistently applied across the organisation.
• Lead, develop and mentor the on-site finance team, fostering a high-performance and accountable culture.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to direct reports within the finance function.
• Act as a key member of the site leadership team, contributing to broader business strategy and operational performance.
• Partner closely with the Finance Director and Manufacturing Site Manager to provide financial insight, challenge and decision support.
• Work cross-functionally with operational, supply chain and senior leadership stakeholders to align financial planning with site performance.
• Support wider group reporting requirements and collaborate with regional or corporate finance functions where required.
• Drive ongoing improvements in financial processes, controls and systems.
• Identify opportunities to streamline reporting, improve efficiency and enhance data quality.
• Contribute to wider business improvement initiatives from a financial perspective.

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong experience in a manufacturing or Life Sciences environment.
• Proven track record in a Financial Controller or senior finance role.
• Previous experience leading or managing finance staff.
• Experience operating within structured, regulated or multi-entity environments.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including UK GAAP (US GAAP exposure beneficial).
• Commercially aware, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insight.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Hands-on leadership style with strong attention to detail.

This role requires a high level of professional integrity, discretion and judgement, given exposure to commercially sensitive and strategic financial information. The position offers the opportunity to play a pivotal role within a growing and evolving Life Sciences manufacturing environment, with real influence over both financial performance and business direction.