Senior Commercial Finance Manager in Ipswich, Suffolk

Senior Commercial Finance Manager in Ipswich, Suffolk

Ipswich +1 Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead finance operations, reporting, and strategic decision-making in a growing manufacturing business.
  • Company: Join a long-established, ambitious company with a supportive culture in Leiston and Ipswich.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, enhanced pension, generous leave, and performance bonuses.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for mentorship and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your career under an inspiring Finance Director.
  • Qualifications: Professional finance qualification and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

MacKenzie King are excited to be recruiting a Finance Manager for a long-established, ambitious and growing manufacturing and distribution business, with a HQ in Leiston and an office in Ipswich. This is a newly created Finance Manager role as the result of business growth and will report to the Finance Director. As the Finance Manager you will oversee day-to-day finance activities, statutory reporting, and commercial financial planning. You will receive mentorship from an impressive Finance Director who really champions everyone in their team to progress and develop. The successful Finance Manager will be responsible for maintaining robust financial controls, supporting strategic decision-making, and ensuring the continued financial health of the company.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Financial Management & Reporting: Oversee daily finance operations, including AP, AR, cash management, and general ledger maintenance. Produce accurate monthly management accounts, including analysis of variances, margins, and manufacturing/processing costs. Manage year-end processes and liaise with external accountants and auditors. Ensure compliance with accounting standards and statutory reporting requirements for UK and European registered private limited companies. Ensure compliance with US GAAP accounting standards and reporting requirements to US Parent company. Prepare KPI reports to support operational departments, including Trading, Production, Logistics, and Imports.
  • Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis: Lead annual budgeting and periodic forecasting cycles. Provide financial insights to support procurement, production planning, and pricing strategies across UK and EU customer segments. Analyse cost drivers related to milling, sieving, drying, packaging and global ingredient sourcing. Monitor working capital performance, including inventory, debtor, and creditor positions.
  • Cashflow & Treasury: Prepare short and medium-term cashflow forecasts. Ensure efficient cash management. Oversee currency considerations related to global supply chains and imported commodities.
  • Compliance & Process Improvement: Maintain and strengthen internal controls across finance, procurement, and operational workflows. Ensure compliance with VAT, HMRC requirements, and industry-specific standards in the UK and Europe. Improve financial systems and processes as the company continues to scale within the UK and EU markets.
  • Team Leadership: Supervise and develop the Finance/Accounts team. Oversee workload allocation, mentoring, and professional development (including AAT/CIMA pathways where applicable). Foster collaboration between finance and other departments, ensuring strong business partnering.

Key Skills & Attributes:

  • Professional qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA).
  • Strong understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, and manufacturing-related costing.
  • Proficiency with accounting software and strong Excel skills.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
  • High attention to detail, accuracy, and organisational discipline.
  • Commercially minded with strong analytical thinking.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with operational complexity.
  • Proactive, confident, and able to challenge constructively.
  • Committed to quality, reliability, and innovation.

Benefits:

  • ~35 hour working week (9-5)
  • ~ Enhanced pension contributions
  • ~ Death in service (3.5x salary)
  • ~ Ill health protection
  • ~25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • ~ Company performance related bonus

Locations

IpswichSuffolk

Senior Commercial Finance Manager in Ipswich, Suffolk employer: MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment

MacKenzie King is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leiston and Ipswich where ambition and growth are at the forefront. With a strong focus on employee development, you will benefit from mentorship by a supportive Finance Director, alongside competitive benefits such as enhanced pension contributions, generous annual leave, and a performance-related bonus. Join a company that values quality, reliability, and innovation while providing opportunities for professional advancement in the finance sector.

MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment

Contact Details:

MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Finance Manager in Ipswich, Suffolk

Tap into Campus Networks

If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.

Get Certified

Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.

Connect on Professional Platforms

Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.

Apply Directly and Be Proactive

Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Finance Manager in Ipswich, Suffolk

Financial Management
Statutory Reporting
Commercial Financial Planning
Budgeting
Forecasting
Variance Analysis
Cashflow Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment.

Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.

Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment

Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills

Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment.

Prepare for Case Studies

Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.

Show Your Passion for Finance

Since this is a full-time position, employers at MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.

Network with Industry Professionals

Before your interview, reach out to current or former MacKenzie King - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.