At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial operations across global manufacturing sites and drive performance improvements.
- Company: Fast-growing PE-backed pharmaceutical company with a dynamic environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, and exposure to international business.
- Why this job: Shape operational finance strategy and make a real impact in a high-growth setting.
- Qualifications: Strong operational finance experience and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead diverse teams and travel internationally.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
About the Company: Our client is a PE‑backed Pharmaceutical business, going through a huge growth period, following a substantial acquisition.
Role Overview: The Head of Finance - Operations will act as a business partner to the COO, overseeing financial operations across multiple global plants. This role combines operational finance, analysis, and leadership, ensuring operational efficiency, robust reporting, and performance improvement across the group’s manufacturing sites.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the operational finance delivery of manufacturing plants across EMEA totalling 8 sites, leading a small team in each site.
- Act as the trusted business partner to the COO alongside procurement, supply chain, group finance, and regional/area managers.
- Manage working capital and ensure optimal cash flow across sites.
- Review and analyse CAPEX proposals, supporting investment decisions.
- Oversee operational site reporting and ensure accurate, timely financial information.
- Develop, monitor, and manage key operational and financial KPIs.
- Identify and implement operational efficiencies, productivity improvements, and process enhancements across sites.
- Implement, monitor, and improve standard costing across manufacturing sites.
- Oversee site finance and IT teams, supporting local hiring, upskilling, and resource planning.
- Travel regularly to sites to build relationships with stakeholders and understand site‑specific operations.
Requirements:
- Strong operation finance experience, ideally within manufacturing, supply chain etc.
- Proven experience partnering with logistics, Ops, MDs, Plant Controllers etc.
- Analytical and strategic thinker with excellent communication skills.
- Experience in private equity‑backed environments is beneficial.
- Ability to lead and develop teams across multiple countries and cultures.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary (£90,000–£120,000) plus a 20% performance bonus.
- Exposure to an ambitious, high‑growth, international business backed by hands‑on private equity investors.
- Opportunity to shape operational finance strategy across multiple sites.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Finance and Accounting / Auditing
Industries: Manufacturing
Head of Finance in Hampshire employer: JSS Search
Contact Detail:
JSS Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company thoroughly, especially their recent acquisitions and growth strategies. Be ready to discuss how your operational finance experience can help them achieve their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams across different cultures and countries. Highlight your ability to develop talent and drive performance improvements.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Finance - Operations. Highlight your operational finance experience and any relevant achievements in manufacturing or supply chain. We want to see how you can bring value to our client!
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 your experience partnering with logistics and operations, and how you can help drive performance improvements across multiple sites.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading teams across different countries, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've developed teams and fostered collaboration in diverse environments. We love seeing strong leaders!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get your journey started!
How to prepare for a job interview at JSS Search
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Finance - Operations, you'll need to demonstrate a solid grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on key performance indicators relevant to manufacturing and operational finance. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive efficiency and improve cash flow in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading teams across multiple sites, so it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed diverse teams, fostered collaboration, and developed talent in a multi-cultural environment. This will show that you can effectively partner with the COO and other stakeholders.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the context of private equity-backed companies. Research recent trends, challenges, and opportunities in the sector. Being able to discuss these insights during your interview will demonstrate your strategic thinking and commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and analytical abilities. Think about past situations where you've had to make tough decisions regarding CAPEX proposals or operational efficiencies. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.