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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance function, provide insights, and support growth initiatives.
- Company: Universal Containers, a family-owned business with a strong market presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and the chance to shape the company's financial future.
- Why this job: Be a pivotal Finance Director and make a real impact in a growing SME.
- Qualifications: Experience at Finance Director level in a similar turnover business.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and influence board-level decisions.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Universal Containers is a successful, family‑owned business supplying containers for sale, hire and conversion. With turnover approaching £20m, the business is profitable, well‑established and poised for its next stage of growth. This is a pivotal moment to join the company as its first Finance Director, playing a central role in shaping the future of the business while working closely with its owners.
This is a genuinely influential board‑level role for a hands‑on, commercially minded Finance Director who wants to make a real difference. Universal Containers is at the point where stronger data, sharper insight and more scalable systems will unlock better decision‑making and support sustainable growth.
You will be a trusted adviser to the owner, bringing clarity, challenge and structure to a growing owner‑managed SME, while remaining close to the commercial and operational realities of a stock‑intensive business.
The Role
As Finance Director, you will lead the finance function and act as a confident, constructive voice at board level. Your focus will be on strengthening the financial backbone of the business and enabling smarter, faster decisions as the company grows.
Key responsibilities include:
- Acting as a core member of the Board, providing clear financial insight, robust analysis and constructive commercial challenge
- Reviewing, upgrading and implementing ERP and finance systems, alongside processes, controls and reporting
- Designing and delivering high‑quality management information that genuinely supports commercial and operational decision‑making
- Full ownership of budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and working capital, with particular emphasis on stock
- Developing and leading a capable, engaged finance team
- Supporting growth initiatives, operational improvements and longer‑term strategic planning
About You
You will be a commercially astute, pragmatic finance leader who enjoys being involved, visible and influential. Comfortable operating in an owner‑managed environment, you will know how to challenge effectively while building trust and credibility.
You are likely to bring:
- Proven experience operating at Finance Director level in a £15–30m turnover business
- Strong background in stock‑based operations and working capital management
- Clear, hands‑on experience of implementing and improving finance and ERP systems
- The confidence to influence owners and senior stakeholders using strong data and insight
- A practical mindset, balancing control, pace and commercial reality
This is an outstanding opportunity for a Finance Director who wants to combine commercial impact, systems expertise and board‑level influence in a growing SME – and leave a lasting imprint on a business with clear ambition and momentum.
Finance Director in Irlam employer: Pratap Executive
Contact Detail:
Pratap Executive Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director in Irlam
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Finance Director role. Personal recommendations can make all the difference, so don’t be shy about asking for introductions.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their financial challenges and think about how you can bring clarity and structure to their operations. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the solution they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your experience with stock-based operations and ERP systems. Make sure you can confidently discuss how your background aligns with their needs and how you can drive growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way, so take advantage of our resources to land that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director in Irlam
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Director role. Highlight your experience in stock-based operations and working capital management, as these are key for us at Universal Containers.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this pivotal role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced decision-making and improved finance systems in previous positions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Finance Director, you'll be leading a team and influencing board-level decisions. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership style and how you've built trust with stakeholders in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and you can easily keep track of your progress!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pratap Executive
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to Universal Containers, such as cash flow management and stock-based operations. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Systems Savvy
Since the role involves upgrading ERP and finance systems, come prepared with examples of systems you've implemented or improved. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, highlighting your hands-on experience in making finance processes more efficient.
✨Engage with the Board Mindset
This is a board-level position, so it's crucial to think like a board member. Prepare to articulate how you can provide clear financial insights and constructive challenges. Think about how you can support growth initiatives and strategic planning, and be ready to share your vision for the finance function.
✨Build Trust and Credibility
In an owner-managed environment, building relationships is key. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully influenced senior stakeholders in the past. Share specific examples where your insights led to better decision-making, showcasing your ability to balance control with commercial reality.
