Commercial Finance Director in Manchester

We are partnering with a highly profitable, private equity-backed international business to appoint a Commercial Finance Director. Reporting directly to an experienced CFO, this is a high-impact leadership role at a pivotal time for the organisation, with the business expected to undergo a significant transaction in the future. This role offers the opportunity to operate at the heart of a dynamic, growth-focused environment, supporting operations across the UK and internationally while helping to shape strategy, optimise performance, and drive value creation.

The Role

As Commercial Finance Director, you will lead the financial management of the Group’s distribution operations, providing insightful analysis, robust financial control, and strategic guidance to the leadership team. You will play a key role in enhancing performance, managing cash and working capital, and ensuring the business is well-positioned for future deal activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting & Control
  • Lead all aspects of financial management across the distribution businesses, including accounting, reporting, controls, cash collection, tax, treasury, and risk management.
  • Deliver timely, accurate, and insightful financial reporting to support high-quality decision-making.
  • Own and actively manage the 13-week cash flow process, ensuring liquidity and compliance with banking covenants.
  • Optimise funding structures and oversee cash management across the Group.
  • Monitor inventory levels, providing recommendations to manage aged or excess stock.
  • Lead the external audit process, ensuring timely and successful completion.
  • Continuously improve financial systems and processes, leveraging automation and best practice.
• Financial Planning & Analysis
  • Provide clear insight into key profit drivers, supporting the leadership team in understanding business performance.
  • Challenge and evolve the commercial model to maximise value creation.
  • Deliver high-quality, consistent management information to enable agile decision-making.
  • Lead the budgeting process and track performance against targets.
  • Develop robust financial forecasts and long-term plans.
• Business Partnering & Strategy
  • Act as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team, contributing to key operational and strategic decisions.
  • Provide financial and commercial input into major projects and initiatives.
  • Proactively identify opportunities to enhance performance and drive profitability.
• Leadership
  • Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing finance team.
  • Play a key role within the Finance Leadership Team, setting standards and driving best practice.
  • Build capability across the function, including clear development and succession planning.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Build strong relationships with auditors, lenders, and external advisors.
  • Own key external relationships including insurance providers and brokers.
  • Partner with the Group Finance team to ensure high-quality information supports Board-level decision-making.

Candidate requirements

• Proven experience in a senior finance leadership role within a multi-entity, international environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence and challenge at senior level.
• Experience in private equity-backed or transaction-driven environments would be beneficial.
• Track record of driving performance, improving processes, and leading teams through change.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a successful, PE-backed business in a value creation phase, working closely with an experienced CFO and leadership team. The role offers significant exposure to strategic decision-making and the opportunity to play a key part in a potential future transaction.