Head of Finance - Newcastle - £Highly Competitive

An established and growing SME operating within a group structure is seeking a commercially minded Head of Finance to lead its finance function during an important phase of operational growth and performance improvement.

The business is operationally focused, commercially driven, and committed to strong financial discipline to support sustainable growth, operational excellence, and margin optimisation.

This position forms part of the Senior Leadership Team and carries full responsibility for finance across the organisation. The role combines strategic financial leadership with hands on operational control, supporting senior stakeholders in driving profitability, cash performance, and informed decision making.

The successful candidate will lead financial governance, oversee manufacturing cost performance, manage working capital, and provide commercial insight to support business strategy and investment decisions.

This is a highly visible leadership opportunity suited to an individual who enjoys operating both strategically and operationally within a dynamic SME environment.

• Lead preparation of monthly management accounts with full variance analysis
• Prepare board level reporting packs and performance commentary
• Deliver annual statutory accounts in line with UK GAAP
• Lead budgeting and quarterly forecasting cycles
• Conduct scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis
• Provide detailed KPI reporting covering margin, productivity, and working capital
• Deliver advanced Excel based financial modelling and analysis

• Act as primary contact for external auditors
• Lead year end statutory audit process
• Maintain strong internal controls across all financial processes
• Ensure compliance with:
  • VAT
  • PAYE
  • Corporation Tax
  • Companies House
  • Pension Regulator requirements
• Maintain balance sheet integrity via structured reconciliation processes
• Oversee fixed asset register and depreciation policies
• Ensure company secretarial filings and statutory registers are maintained

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to group
• Manage intercompany reconciliations and transactions
• Oversee VAT returns for group entities
• Align local reporting standards with group requirements
• Liaise with group finance and external advisors on complex tax or structural matters

• Establish and review standard costing methodologies
• Set and review direct labour recovery rates
• Develop and maintain overhead absorption models
• Monitor labour utilisation, productivity and efficiency
• Analyse material, labour, and overhead variances
• Review scrap, yield, and production efficiency metrics
• Conduct product and customer profitability analysis
• Partner with Operations and Procurement to improve cost visibility and margin

• Produce rolling cash flow forecasts
• Oversee debtor management and credit control
• Approve credit limits and monitor debtor ageing
• Supervise invoice finance facility reporting and reconciliations
• Ensure compliance with lender covenants
• Maintain strong banking relationships
• Review creditor payments and authorise BACS runs

• Oversee inventory valuation methodology
• Review stock provisions and obsolescence reserves
• Monitor stock turns and working capital exposureEnsure accurate month end stock reconciliation
• Collaborate with operations to improve stock accuracy

• Oversee outsourced payroll provider
• Review payroll prior to submission
• Ensure compliance with:
  • Pension auto enrolment
  • P11Ds
  • Apprenticeship levy reporting
• Administer salary sacrifice schemes
• Oversee employee expense controls and credit card management
• Ensure accurate HR related financial reporting

• Manage corporate insurance renewals and claims
• Review policy coverage and negotiate premiums
• Oversee motor fleet compliance and financial reporting
• Lead CapEx approval process
• Develop investment appraisals and ROI analysis
• Ensure strategic alignment of investment decisions

• Support pricing models and tender submissions
• Provide margin analysis for new contracts
• Deliver financial modelling for growth initiatives
• Challenge operational costs constructively
• Support strategic planning and expansion initiatives

• Lead and develop Finance Assistant and Finance Business Partner
• Provide oversight of transactional finance activities
• Set performance objectives and conduct reviews
• Promote continuous improvement in systems and reporting
• Champion process efficiency and ERP optimisation
• Actively contribute to SLT strategy and decision making

• ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified (or qualified by experience)
• 5-10 years' experience in manufacturing or stock intensive environment
• Strong experience in:
  • Standard costing
  • Labour recovery & overhead absorption
  • Invoice finance facilities
  • VAT and statutory compliance
  • Audit processes
  • Cash flow forecasting
• Advanced Excel and ERP system expertise
• Experience managing or supervising a small finance team

• Senior leadership influence within a growing organisation
• Broad ownership across finance and commercial operations
• Opportunity to shape finance structure and capability
• Visible role supporting strategic business decisions