Overview

We are supporting a well-established Life Sciences manufacturing organisation in the West Midlands to appoint a Financial Controller.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role responsible for the integrity of financial reporting, statutory compliance, and the overall financial health of the site. The position plays a key role within the local leadership team, partnering closely with operational and commercial stakeholders to drive performance, support decision-making, and ensure robust financial control.

The successful individual will report to both the Finance Director and the Manufacturing Site Manager, reflecting the importance of the role from both a financial governance and operational leadership perspective. The position also carries direct responsibility for managing members of the finance team, making this a genuine leadership appointment rather than a purely technical accounting role.

Key Responsibilities

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.