Finance Manager

£65,000 - £75,000  Pension  Private Healthcare  Life Assurance, Southampton, Future Financial Controller Opportunity Are you a qualified accountant who thrives in businesses undergoing change rather than steady-state environments? Do you enjoy influencing decisions, improving performance, challenging the status quo and helping leadership teams navigate transformation? Hays are partnering with a manufacturing business that has recently completed a significant carve-out and transition from its former US parent company.

Now operating as a standalone business, the organisation is entering the next phase of its journey, focused on driving profitability, embedding commercial discipline and delivering a successful turnaround strategy over the coming years. This is a rare opportunity for a commercially minded Finance Manager to become a key member of the leadership team and play a pivotal role in helping shape the future direction of the business.

The Opportunity Reporting directly to the Finance Director, you will lead the day-to-day finance function whilst acting as a trusted business partner to operational leaders across the organisation. This is not a role for someone looking to maintain the status quo. The business is evolving and requires a finance leader who enjoys challenge, can influence stakeholders, and is comfortable operating within an environment where priorities change and continuous improvement is expected.

As part of the leadership team's long-term plan, you will help support the business through its transformation journey and contribute towards preparing the organisation for a potential future sale.

You will also lead and develop a small finance team, taking responsibility for a Management Accountant and two Accounts Assistant colleagues.

Key Responsibilities Lead monthly management accounts and financial reporting processes Drive budgeting, forecasting and rolling cash flow planning Manage working capital, banking relationships and invoice discounting facilities Ensure robust financial controls and balance sheet integrity Oversee UK and international VAT compliance, statutory reporting and HMRC obligations Business partner with operational and departmental leaders to improve decision-making Support investment appraisals, business cases and transformation initiatives Analyse financial and operational performance, identifying risks and opportunities Lead, mentor and develop members of the finance team Contribute to strategic planning and long-term value creation initiatives What We're Looking For We are keen to speak with ambitious qualified accountants (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) who possess approximately 5-10 years' post-qualification experience.

Most importantly, you'll have experience operating within environments that have experienced significant change, transformation, turnaround, integration, restructuring or growth. You may currently be: A Finance Manager seeking a broader leadership role A Senior Management Accountant ready for your first Finance Manager position An ambitious Financial Controller looking for a more transformative challenge You'll ideally bring:
Strong financial control and management reporting experience Exposure to forecasting, business planning and cash flow management Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills A hands-on, resilient and commercially minded approach Experience improving processes, controls or business performance The confidence to challenge, debate and drive positive change Manufacturing experience would be advantageous but is not essential. The organisation is more interested in attitude, adaptability and the ability to learn than direct sector experience.

Previous private equity experience is also not required. Why Join? Genuine opportunity to shape the future of a business in transformation Direct exposure to an experienced Finance Director and leadership team Clear progression potential towards Financial Controller level Significant involvement in strategic decision-making and commercial projects Opportunity to leave a visible and lasting impact on business performance Join a business where finance is expected to influence…