Financial Reporting & Control

Lead the preparation and delivery of monthly management accounts, ensuring accuracy, completeness and alignment with both UK and US GAAP where required

Produce timely and insightful financial reports, dashboards and analysis, highlighting trends, risks and opportunities

Maintain robust financial controls, ensuring all transactions are appropriately recorded, documented and auditable

Oversee balance sheet integrity, including full ownership of reconciliations and supporting schedules

Statutory Compliance & Audit

Ensure full compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, including VAT, taxation and statutory accounts

Manage the preparation of year-end accounts and act as the primary contact for external auditors

Coordinate and deliver all audit requirements, ensuring a smooth and timely audit process

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant financial regulations and ensure the business remains compliant

Planning, Forecasting & Performance

Lead the development of budgets, forecasts and financial plans, working closely with operational leadership

Deliver regular variance analysis against budget and forecast, providing clear insight into performance drivers

Support senior stakeholders in identifying opportunities to improve margin, cost efficiency and profitability

Provide forward-looking financial insight to support strategic and operational decision-making

Cash Flow & Systems Management

Oversee cash flow management, including forecasting, reporting and optimisation of working capital

Manage bank reconciliations and ensure accuracy of all cash-related reporting

Maintain and enhance financial systems, including ERP/MRP integration and reporting capability

Ensure the integrity and maintenance of the fixed asset register

Payroll & Financial Governance

Oversee payroll-related financial elements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with internal and statutory requirements

Ensure all financial policies, procedures and controls are consistently applied across the organisation

Leadership & Business Partnering

Lead, develop and mentor the on-site finance team, fostering a high-performance and accountable culture

Provide day-to-day leadership to direct reports within the finance function

Act as a key member of the site leadership team, contributing to broader business strategy and operational performance

Partner closely with the Finance Director and Manufacturing Site Manager to provide financial insight, challenge and decision support

Work cross-functionally with operational, supply chain and senior leadership stakeholders to align financial planning with site performance

Support wider group reporting requirements and collaborate with regional or corporate finance functions where required

Continuous Improvement

Drive ongoing improvements in financial processes, controls and systems

Identify opportunities to streamline reporting, improve efficiency and enhance data quality

Contribute to wider business improvement initiatives from a financial perspective

Reporting Line

This position reports directly to both the Finance Director and the Manufacturing Site Manager.

Team Responsibility

The role includes direct management responsibility within the finance function and leadership of the site-based finance team. The original brief specifically indicates responsibility for finance personnel including a Management Accountant, Purchase Ledger Clerk and Credit Controller.

Key Relationships

Finance Director

Manufacturing Site Manager

Site Leadership Team

Regional / Group Finance

Operations, Supply Chain and Commercial teams

External auditors and advisors

Regulatory and statutory bodies

Candidate Profile

Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)

Strong experience in a manufacturing or Life Sciences environment

Proven track record in a Financial Controller or senior finance role

Previous experience leading or managing finance staff

Experience operating within structured, regulated or multi-entity environments

Strong technical accounting knowledge, including UK GAAP (US GAAP exposure beneficial)

Commercially aware, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insight

Confident communicator with the ability to influence senior stakeholders

Hands-on leadership style with strong attention to detail

Additional considerations

This role requires a high level of professional integrity, discretion and judgement, given exposure to commercially sensitive and strategic financial information. The original JD also makes clear that discretion is important both internally and externally, including in dealings with suppliers and competitors.

The position offers the opportunity to play a pivotal role within a growing and evolving Life Sciences manufacturing environment, with real influence over both financial performance and business direction.