Vice President Finance, Optical Systems in Ilminster

ROLE LOCATION: South West, UK – ideally to be based around our Ilminster or Plymouth sites.

JOB TYPE: Full‑time.

ABOUT US: G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications. Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognised for the breadth of its acousto‑optic, electro‑optic, crystal‑optic, fibre‑optic, and precision optic products. G&H is a preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defence industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy‑five years. Our success is built on innovation, precision, and the talent of our people. We are committed to developing capability at every stage of a career, from apprenticeships and graduate pathways through to leadership development.

THE ROLE: We are recruiting for a VP of Finance for our Optical Systems Division, ideally to be based around our Ilminster or Plymouth, UK sites. This VP will report to the G&H CFO and support the Executive Vice‑President of the Optical Systems Division, delivering accurate financial analysis and insight to help shape strategic decision‑making. You will lead the financial planning cycle across eight international sites, ensuring budgets, forecasts, and strategic plans are aligned and executed.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as a trusted finance business partner to the Division EVP, advising on the financial impact of strategic decisions.
• Prepare business cases and analyse product line profitability to support growth initiatives.
• Manage working capital and inventory levels to optimise cash flow across sites in the UK and US.
• Oversee financial reporting, audit preparation, tax submissions, and compliance with internal controls.
• Provide leadership and development to site financial controllers and enforce consistent application of finance policies across the division.
• Collaborate with Group Finance on audits, improvement initiatives and acquisition assessments, including financial due diligence.
• Promote and role‑model G&H’s core values of Customer Focus, Integrity, Action, Unity and Precision, while maintaining a culture of safety, respect and continuous improvement.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Extensive experience in a senior finance role, including business‑partnering with non‑finance colleagues.
• A solid background in manufacturing and familiarity with ERP and standard costing systems.
• Strong knowledge of US and UK GAAP; IFRS experience is a plus.
• Advanced Excel skills and a data‑driven approach to decision making.
• Excellent communication, leadership and team development skills.
• A high level of accountability, accuracy, and results orientation.

G&H BENEFITS:

• Participation in competitive Management and Long‑Term Incentive Plans.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• 6% employer pension contribution.
• Private Health Insurance.
• Health Cash Plan.

Notes: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake any and all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager. The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunity or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates. Potential candidates should be aware that many of the employment roles at G&H are subject to government security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities that you may have previously held and your place of birth, could restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All UK applicants must, as a minimum, be able to successfully complete security vetting to the UK government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard, which includes a criminal record check being performed. Many roles may also require higher levels of security vetting to be completed, where applicants must typically have been continuously resident within the UK for the past five to ten years.