VP Finance​/Finance Director

• Unique opportunity within a high growth sector with clear progression path
• Highly commercial remit, with very attractive reward package

Our client is a global engineering and manufacturing company operating autonomously, while being part of a larger international group, the business has built a reputation for technical excellence. The business has built a reputation for technical excellence, precision manufacturing and long-standing customer partnerships across international markets.

With a strong order book, consistent profitability and ambitious growth plans, the organisation is focused on strengthening even further.

You will be a key member of the senior leadership team, with full responsibility for Accounting and IT functions. A highly commercial finance leadership position, working closely with operational and commercial leaders to improve financial performance, enhance margin discipline, optimise working capital and support strategic decision-making.

• Champion and embed a true business partnering approach across the organisation, ensuring finance is proactively supporting, challenging and enabling decision‑making across all functions.
• Developing and coaching the finance team for effective succession planning within the function.
• Owning the annual business plan, forecasting cycle and margin projections.
• Providing financial analysis to support pricing, customer quotations, contract negotiations and investment decisions.
• Evaluating capital expenditure proposals and validating return on investment.
• Driving cost improvement and productivity initiatives across the manufacturing organisation.
• Managing working capital with a strong focus on inventory, receivables and payables.
• Strengthening financial processes, systems and internal controls to ensure timely and accurate forecasting, compliance and audit readiness.

We are seeking a commercially astute, operationally credible finance leader who understands how finance drives performance in a complex, regulated manufacturing environment.

You will bring:

• A fully qualified (ACA, CIMA, ACCA) senior financial leadership, with experience operating within contract‑driven manufacturing environments.
• Significant progressive experience across Financial Accounting, FP&A and Cost Accounting.
• Advanced analytical and systems capability, including strong Excel proficiency.
• The presence, communication skills and resilience to influence across functions and at executive level.
• Strong knowledge of internal controls, compliance frameworks and audit processes.
• A proven ability to link business strategy to financial drivers and measurable outcomes.
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing teams.

This opportunity offers clear progression into a broader Group‑level finance role with a strong commercial focus, supporting the performance and strategic direction of a portfolio of European operating companies.

For the first 12 months, your focus will be fully dedicated to the VP of Finance remit, with significant on‑site presence required at a major North East facility – suiting someone comfortable staying away during the week. Thereafter, the role will become primarily remote with regular European travel, making proximity to a major international airport advantageous.

For a confidential discussion, please get in touch.

Highly attractive salary and reward package with clear progression to a broader remit within a relatively short time frame.