Head of Finance

Acuity Associates are supporting a well-established, family-owned UK manufacturing business in the search for a commercially minded Head of Finance.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a profitable and growing organisation and take full ownership of the finance function as the business enters its next phase of expansion.

With current turnover of approximately £6m and ambitions to grow to £15m by 2030, the business has strong foundations and clear growth plans. This newly defined leadership role has been created to strengthen financial control, enhance profitability visibility and build the financial infrastructure required to support scale.

This is a hands‑on leadership role suited to someone ready to step into the number one finance position within a growing SME environment.

Working closely with the Managing Director and shareholder group, you will take responsibility for delivering meaningful financial insight, strengthening financial controls and supporting commercial decision making across the business.

The role spans both project‑based operations and product‑led manufacturing, requiring strong understanding of margin performance, product costing and operational finance.

• Deliver accurate and timely monthly management accounts with clear commentary and commercial insight
• Develop improved profitability reporting across project and product operations
• Oversee manufacturing cost analysis, Bill of Materials (BOM) valuation and margin reporting
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes
• Build and maintain effective cash flow forecasting and working capital management
• Embed robust financial controls and scalable reporting processes
• Oversee statutory compliance and financial governance
• Support leadership with performance analysis and commercial decision making
• Take ownership of financial performance, margin and cost control

• A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Experienced within SME businesses, typically £5m–£20m turnover
• Comfortable operating in stock‑based, manufacturing or distribution‑led environments
• Confident owning management accounts and financial reporting end‑to‑end
• Hands‑on and operationally aware, able to work closely with senior leadership
• A strong communicator capable of engaging non‑finance stakeholders across the business
• Motivated by building and improving finance processes, not simply maintaining them

• Direct exposure to Managing Director and shareholders
• A stable, profitable business with ambitious growth plans
• Clear progression pathway to Finance Director aligned to business growth and demonstrated capability

All candidates will be required to complete The Acuity Measure as part of the recruitment process.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are only able to contact shortlisted candidates. If you have not heard from us within 10 days of submitting your application, please assume you have not been successful on this occasion. We reserve the right to close or withdraw this vacancy early should a sufficient number of applications be received.

Acuity Associates and our clients are committed to equal opportunities. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to fostering inclusive environments where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive.

Acuity Associates is an executive search partner trusted by privately owned and investor‑backed businesses to appoint high‑impact finance and executive leaders.

Our expertise includes: CFOs | Finance Directors & Controllers | Group Finance | Private Equity & Exit Readiness | Strategic & Commercial Finance | Family Office Leadership | Transformation & Turnaround | Succession & Board‑Level Appointments.

At the core of every search is The Acuity Method™, our proprietary assessment framework delivering evidence‑led insight into a candidate’s capability and potential alongside cultural fit and career credibility.