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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, ensuring strong governance and insightful reporting in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking engineering and manufacturing business focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on leadership role, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape financial strategies and drive operational improvements in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified accountant with experience in manufacturing finance.
- Other info: Immediate start preferred; great opportunity for career advancement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Interim Head of Finance - Engineering & Manufacturing
Location: On-site / Hybrid (UK-based manufacturing environment)
Contract Type: Interim / Fixed-Term Contract (3-12 months)
Day Rate / Salary: Competitive - dependent on experience and scope
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Interim Head of Finance to provide immediate leadership within an engineering/manufacturing business. The role will support the organisation through a period of operational focus, growth, system improvement, or change, ensuring strong financial control, accurate reporting, and commercially focused insight across production, supply chain, and operations. This role requires a hands‑on finance leader with a deep understanding of manufacturing cost structures, margins, and operational drivers.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Leadership & Control
- Lead the finance function, ensuring strong financial governance and control
- Oversee day-to-day finance operations including AP, AR, payroll, and cashflow
- Ensure timely production of accurate monthly management accounts
- Maintain robust balance sheet control, including stock, WIP, and accruals
- Manufacturing & Operational Finance
- Full ownership of product costing, standard costing, and variance analysis
- Manage and report on WIP, stock valuation, and inventory controls
- Partner with operations and production teams to improve efficiency and margins
- Analyse labour, material, overhead absorption, and yield
- Support pricing, quoting, and margin analysis for engineered products
- Reporting, Compliance & Governance
- Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance (VAT, PAYE, corporation tax)
- Prepare information for year-end accounts and audits
- Liaise with auditors, banks, funders, and external advisors
- Improve reporting visibility across manufacturing KPIs
- Commercial & Strategic Support
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and rolling forecasts
- Deliver cashflow forecasting and working capital optimisation
- Provide commercial insight to support capital investment decisions (CapEx)
- Support funding, refinancing, or investor reporting where required
- Change & Transition
- Stabilise the finance function during periods of change or growth
- Lead or support ERP / finance system improvements or implementations
- Strengthen finance processes and controls within a manufacturing setting
- Mentor and develop the existing finance team
- Ensure a smooth handover to a permanent Head of Finance or FD
Key Requirements
Essential
- Proven experience as an Interim Head of Finance / Financial Controller / Finance Director within engineering or manufacturing
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Strong experience in manufacturing finance, including stock, WIP, and costing
- Advanced Excel skills and strong financial modelling capability
- Experience partnering closely with operations and production teams
- Hands‑on, pragmatic approach with strong attention to detail
Desirable
- Previous interim or turnaround experience
- Experience in SME, PE‑backed, or owner‑managed manufacturing businesses
- Exposure to ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, Sage, NetSuite, EFACS, Epicor)
- Experience supporting CapEx projects, automation, or process improvement
- Exposure to lean manufacturing or continuous improvement environments
Personal Attributes
- Commercially focused with an operational mindset
- Comfortable on the shop floor as well as in the boardroom
- Calm, credible, and decisive under pressure
- Able to deliver impact quickly in a fast‑paced environment
Start Date Immediate or short notice preferred
Head Of Finance in Atherstone employer: Genesis Employment Services Ltd
Contact Detail:
Genesis Employment Services Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Finance in Atherstone
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have a lead on your next big opportunity!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience in finance within manufacturing. Share specific examples of how you've improved financial processes or driven efficiency. This will help you stand out as the go-to candidate for the role.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Before any interview, do your homework! Understand the company’s financial challenges and think about how your skills can help them overcome these. Prepare questions that show your interest in their operations and how you can contribute to their growth.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Finance in Atherstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Interim Head of Finance. Highlight your experience in manufacturing finance, cost structures, and any relevant leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
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. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your hands-on approach and ability to lead finance functions in a manufacturing environment.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen: In your application, be sure to showcase your financial skills, especially in areas like product costing, variance analysis, and cashflow management. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Genesis Employment Services Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial control and reporting. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to manufacturing, such as product costing, WIP, and cash flow management. Be ready to discuss how you've improved financial processes in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership, so prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading finance teams through change. Think about times when you’ve mentored staff or improved team performance, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the specific engineering and manufacturing environment of the company. Research their products, market position, and any recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. Think about challenges you’ve faced in previous roles, particularly around financial governance and operational efficiency, and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
