Finance Director
2 days ago
Manchester
Finance Director – PE-Backed Manufacturing SME Location: Greater Manchester Salary: c.£100,000 + equity potential The Opportunity We are partnering with a private equity-backed manufacturing SME in Greater Manchester to appoint a commercially driven Finance Director. This is a pivotal role within a high-growth business, offering the opportunity to work closely with an experienced leadership team and investors to drive scale, performance, and long-term value creation. This role is ideally suited to an ambitious, hands-on finance leader looking to step into (or build on) their first Finance Director position within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. The Role Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with private equity stakeholders, you will take full ownership of the finance function while playing a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the business. Key responsibilities include: • Lead and develop the finance function, ensuring robust financial controls and reporting, • Act as a strategic partner to the CEO and Board, supporting decision-making and growth plans, • Drive budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes, • Improve financial visibility, KPIs, and operational performance, • Support and lead on potential M&A activity, integrations, and future exit planning, • Enhance systems, processes, and reporting to support scalability, • Work closely with operations, supply chain, and production teams to improve margin and efficiency Key requirements: • Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA), • Experience within manufacturing, engineering, or a related sector, • Background in a PE-backed, high-growth, or SME environment preferred, • Ambitious, entrepreneurial mindset with the drive to progress and make an impact, • Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence at Board level, • Hands-on approach – comfortable operating both strategically and operationally, • Experience improving systems, processes, and financial controls, • Exposure to M&A or investor environments would be advantageousWhy Join?, • Opportunity to play a key role in a PE-backed growth journey, • Direct exposure to investors and strategic decision-making, • Real scope to shape the finance function and wider business, • Fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture with significant progression potential, • Equity participation aligned with value creationPackage, • Salary: c.£100,000, • Performance-related bonus, • Equity / incentive scheme