At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance across two UK businesses, driving financial control and strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join a growing international defence manufacturing group with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, profit share, healthcare support, and every 4th Friday off.
- Other info: Enjoy a meaningful role with opportunities for professional development and travel.
- Why this job: Influence and shape the finance function in a dynamic, growth-focused environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial control, budgeting, and team leadership is essential.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
We are recruiting on behalf of a growing, internationally backed defence manufacturing group for a commercially minded, hands-on Financial Controller/ Head of Finance to lead finance across two UK businesses. This newly created role offers genuine influence, working closely with the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team to strengthen financial control, improve visibility and support operational and strategic decision-making.
The Role
- Monthly and annual close, reporting and IFRS compliance.
- Statutory accounts, VAT and external audit.
- Financial controls, processes and reporting improvements.
- Manufacturing costs, product costing, margins and profitability.
- Stock accounting, inventory and working capital.
- Budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and cash flow.
- Commercial analysis and business partnering with senior leadership.
- Leadership and development of existing finance teams.
- ERP and finance systems/process improvement.
- Liaison with external advisers and the wider international group finance function.
You will be expected to roll up your sleeves, understand the detail, challenge performance and improve how finance operates, rather than simply manage through others.
The Business
An established international manufacturing group with approximately 270 UK employees and £30m combined turnover, operating across multiple UK locations and a European site. The businesses operate in high-reliability, technically demanding manufacturing, supplying sectors where quality, compliance and precision are critical. The UK operation is currently going through a period of growth and development, providing significant scope for the successful candidate to influence and shape the finance function.
Location & Travel
Initial preference: Burgess Hill, with the longer-term potential for the role to move towards Worksop. This is not an inflexible relocation requirement. Candidates based in Worksop may also be considered if comfortable travelling to Burgess Hill. Travel between UK sites is expected, depending on business requirements, with occasional European travel. The role requires a meaningful on-site presence rather than being predominantly remote.
About You
We're interested in experienced finance professionals who enjoy ownership, autonomy and commercial involvement. You could be a:
- Finance Manager ready for a broader leadership role.
- Head of Finance within an SME/mid-sized business.
- Standalone or highly autonomous finance lead.
- Finance professional comfortable managing a small team while remaining hands-on.
Ideally, you'll have solid and relevant experience covering financial control, budgeting/forecasting, manufacturing or engineering, costing, inventory, ERP systems, Excel and commercial business partnering. CIMA, ACCA or ACA is advantageous but not essential - practical capability is key.
Package
Circa £80,000 depending on experience, with flexibility for an exceptional candidate, plus:
- Profit share bonus.
- Company pension.
- Healthcare/wellbeing support.
- Employee discount programme.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Optional company car, subject to requirements.
- Free parking.
- Bank holidays and Christmas shutdown.
- Financial wellbeing and mental health support.
- Every 4th Friday off.
Hours: 38.75 per week - Monday-Thursday 7:45am-5:00pm, Friday 7:45am-12:45pm. No weekends. Some flexibility around reduced hours may be considered.
The Opportunity
A genuine seat at the leadership table, with the autonomy to influence two growing UK businesses and develop the finance function alongside them. If you're ready to move beyond traditional reporting and become a trusted commercial partner to the MD, we'd like to hear from you. Apply with your CV for a confidential discussion and further details.
At Morgan Ryder we can provide you with a full range of employment opportunities from short term and fixed term temporary vacancies to permanent positions.
Our commitment: Equal opportunities are important to us. We believe that diversity and inclusion at Morgan Ryder Associates are critical to our success as a DE&I positive company, so we want to recruit, develop, and keep the best talent. We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of background, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, belief, age, family or parental status, and any other characteristic.
Financial Controller employer: Morgan Ryder
Join a leading engineering business that values innovation and growth, offering a competitive salary and a range of benefits including a company EV, pension, and up to 5 weeks' holiday. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have the opportunity to build your own territory in the dynamic Aerospace and Defence sectors while enjoying a flexible home-based role that promotes autonomy and a supportive work culture. This is an excellent chance for those looking to advance their careers in technical sales with a reputable company committed to diversity and inclusion.
