Finance Director

South Wales

Circa £70,000 - £90,000 + Car Allowance + Bonus (up to 50%) + Benefits

An exciting opportunity for an ambitious Finance Director to join this market leading, engineering solutions provider with 33 operations in 14 countries. Working out of the UK Sales & Engineering Centre in South Wales, the business is undergoing a rapid phase of expansion and offers unparalleled product design, development, testing and manufacturing capabilities for highly innovative products & solutions to a global Blue Chip customer base across   advanced manufacturing sectors.

Reporting to the UK Managing Director and with a strong dotted line to the overseas based Divisional VP Finance, the key requirement of the post is to provide the necessary financial management and leadership to drive value creation for the business.

As an integral member of the leadership team, you will uphold the core values of the organisation and will support and deputise for the Managing Director in his absence. The role requires a strategic approach to help drive a continuous improvement culture and a “right first time” approach that embraces not just finance, but all activities of the business with the “hands on” skills to direct and oversee local finance activities, to work closely with multi- sites  and to ensure accurate and timely reporting for Head Office and Division.

The Role

· As part of the Leadership Team, accountable for setting and implementing the strategic direction of the Company. Deliver the business strategy, goals and objectives through active involvement in improvement activities

·Oversee the accounting and finance function, provide leadership, direction and guidance to the team; act as a strategic business partner and “hands on” financial advisor to the local management team

· Adopt a “can do” approach to managing, coaching performance review and development of the finance team

·Accurately report the financial results of the company, ensuring completion is timely and in accordance with Group Guidelines (UK GAAP). Manage all financial/operational accounting activities including monthly accounts, balance sheet, cash flow statement, flash figures, payroll, cash management, costing and budgeting

·Prepare the year end statutory accounts, provide oversight in a strong working relationship with external auditors

·Guide financial decisions by establishing, monitoring and enforcing policies & procedures. Identify opportunities to  simplify control systems & enhance reporting

·Improve the visibility and responsiveness of the function, including better planning, effective budgets & forecasts

·Direct the monthly accounting close process on a timely basis, identify opportunities for streamlining

·Adopt a pro-active approach to the key business reporting information required for internal and Group reporting.

·Implement robust controls for managing costs, budgets, inventory, forecasting & profit determining activities

·Work with the VP Finance to support the future growth plans of the business

·Play a leading role in influencing strategic and local decision making

·Develop activity to drive and support employee engagement, enhance the profile of the finance across the business

·Regularly review departmental objectives with the MD. Provide support in challenging existing practices, leaning out costs, implementing robust procedures and in optimising  operational efficiency

·Authority to evaluate/ approve Capex expenditure:- report on approved projects & manage post approval tracking

·Approved signature for accounts, budgets, treasury matters, payroll, pensions admin and statutory payments

·Utilisation of Sage 200 Accounting software, also involvement with BPC and CXO Cockpit systems

·Critically review IT Systems across the businesses and support system enhancements, ITSO, Cyber Security etc

·Drive sustainable working capital improvement to enhance cash position and manage cash flow forecasts including some multi-currency treasury management

·Promote a culture of curiosity with managers regarding the numbers, demonstrate how they drive performance

·Work with the team to better understand cost structure, recharges, transfer pricing, gross margins, customer/product profitability; identify trends & implement corrective actions for adverse variances

·Act as an important bridge for intercompany working relationships, also with Divisional & Head Office teams

·Maintain a high standard of health and safety, promote positive & safe working practices

The Candidate

·A Qualified Accountant (CIMA, ACA or ACCA) with post qualification experience in both financial management and accounting at a senior level

·Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification

·A track record of success in financial leadership and in building effective teams within a highly demanding manufacturing environment

·Strategically minded, but able to be operationally “hands-on” in an SME environment

·Experience of financial reporting and team responsibilities within an internationally focused, market-leading organisation with a corporate presence and global multi-site operations

·Strong track record of implementing process improvement and be able to create a “step change” in improvement

·Well-developed commercial skills: - able to act as an influential member of the senior management team, develop financial understanding and make a pro-active contribution across all activities of the business

·Process orientated:- able to make improvements that will enhance income, profitability and drive out costs

·Excellent financial and analytical skills:- ability to interpret data/trends that support more informed decision making

·Able to develop good working relationship with banks, auditors & statutory bodies

· Strong IT skills, including experience of business systems and a high level of proficiency with Excel

·Able to commit to achieving goals and deadlines, while demonstrating a flexible and “can-do” attitude

·Strong interpersonal skills, communicates and listens well, persuasive and influential

·An accomplished & collaborative level-headed finance leader who is able to work with cross functional teams

·Leads by example, consistently displays high ethical standards, integrity, trust, models professional behaviour in line with the Company Values, develops people and builds teams

·A self-starter who is comfortable with multi-tasking and displays a methodical and organised approach to work

·A strategic thinker, balances complex multiple tasks simultaneously and makes well informed decisions.

·Resilient, calm under pressure and meets tight timescales; resolves problems and manages competing demands

·Has the ability to challenge at all levels; ask probing and difficult questions on financial direction & decision making

·Valid UK Driving licence & Passport -  willingness to travel abroad on business when required