Financial Controller in Smethwick

An excellent opportunity to join an established, globally backed manufacturing business as a Financial Controller, offering a salary of £70,000 – £80,000 with hybrid working, based in Smethwick. Part of an international group operating across more than 30 countries, the UK operation combines a sales office with fully operational warehousing, manufacturing facilities, and an in-house transport fleet. With turnover of approximately £30m, this is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of the UK finance function while partnering closely with senior leadership. The role also offers a clear progression route to Finance Director, with the current postholder planning for retirement in the coming years.

Main Duties:

• Taking full ownership of the UK finance function and overseeing the day-to-day finance team
• Preparing monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow reporting, with meaningful commentary and variance analysis
• Producing annual statutory accounts under FRS 102 and acting as the lead contact during the year-end audit process
• Submitting group reporting packs in accordance with parent company deadlines, including IFRS consolidation requirements
• Managing budgeting, forecasting and rolling cash flow processes across the UK business
• Overseeing stock accounting, inventory valuation and margin analysis within a stockholding environment
• Managing treasury activities, FX exposure and intercompany reconciliations across the wider group
• Ensuring a strong financial control environment, embedding SOX-style controls and adherence to group policies
• Coordinating VAT, corporation tax and statutory submissions, supported by external advisors where required
• Supervising payroll, credit control and purchase ledger functions
• Partnering with the UK Managing Director and commercial teams to support pricing, profitability analysis and strategic decision-making
• Driving continuous improvement across finance systems, reporting and operational processes

Location / Office / Culture

The role is based in Smethwick with a hybrid working arrangement, easily accessible from Birmingham, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and the wider Black Country area. You’ll be part of a busy and collaborative operational site where warehousing, manufacturing and sales functions operate together, giving finance a highly visible and valued role within the business.

What We Are Looking For

• ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualification, or be a strong Qualified by Experience candidate who has operated successfully at this level
• Previous experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager or lead finance professional, ideally within manufacturing, distribution, industrial or stockholding SME environments
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, particularly UK GAAP (FRS 102), with IFRS exposure advantageous due to group reporting requirements
• Experience within stock-heavy environments, with a strong understanding of inventory accounting, margin control and associated financial processes
• Experience working within an international group structure, including consolidation reporting and intercompany accounting
• Strong systems capability, including advanced Excel skills and a proactive approach to process improvement
• A practical, commercially minded approach with the ability to balance operational detail and strategic oversight
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders while building strong relationships across the wider business

Why Join the business

• Support and stability from a well-established international group
• A varied and hands-on role covering technical accounting, operational finance and commercial business partnering
• Direct exposure to both UK leadership and overseas group management
• The opportunity to influence systems, reporting and the wider finance function
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Clear progression pathway to Finance Director
• Ongoing support and handover from the current Finance Director