HEAD OF FINANCE BASED LIVINGSTON SALARY EXCELLENT PLUS BONUS AND BENS PACKAGE Based in Livingston, ESS Recruit’s client comprises of a group of European companies engaged in the design, development, manufacture and distribution of analytical systems, life science equipment and laboratory instruments with operations dating a number of years. They design, develop, supply and support Gas Chromatography (GC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) product lines for a range of markets including forensics, food quality, environmental, pharma and life sciences. The company maintains a global infrastructure to support sales around the world. Manufacturing is in both the Netherlands and Livingston. Reporting to the CEO, the Head of Finance is a key role which will assist in driving forward the vision for the organisation. As Head of Finance, you will be the main point of contact and a key partner to the Senior Leadership Team and the wider organisation. You will lead on all aspects of company finances including Finance Operations, Management Accounting, Financial Control, Balance Sheet Control, Annual Audit and act as a key partner for the Operational Leadership Team helping to drive efficiencies and optimisation of manufacturing sites. Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the financial strategy in alignment with the company's business objectives. Financial Planning & Analysis: Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes, providing insightful analysis to support strategic decisions. Internal Management Reporting: Own month-end internal reporting and act as the lead for Coordinating the monthly departmental management report. Statutory Compliance & Reporting: Oversee accurate financial reporting under IFRS, ensuring compliance with local GAAP across UK and NL entities and managing annual audits. Cost Management & Efficiency: Partner with operational teams to monitor manufacturing costs, improve margins, and enhance financial performance. Risk Management: Identify and mitigate financial risks, maintaining robust internal controls and governance processes. Global Collaboration: Collaborate with a distributed finance team, working with stakeholders across the matrix organisation to deliver operational excellence. Capital Allocation: Optimize working capital, cash flow, and investment strategies to support growth initiatives and sustain business agility. Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with auditors, external advisors, and financial institutions to support business objectives. This is a broad role in support of senior leadership, you will need lead and influence all senior leadership team members on finances. Required Skills and Experience Strategic Mindset: The business is seeking an individual who is not afraid to challenge the status quo. The ideal candidate will have a continuing drive to improve business performance, to seek out and drive improved operating procedures and processes. Qualified Accountant: You will hold a full professional accounting membership and at least 5 years post-qualifying experience. This experience will have been gained in a manufacturing or other similar business environment. People leadership: You will ideally have prior experience on the Senior Leadership Team. You will have a demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams across multiple geographies and experience of staff management including recruitment, training, development, and growth of staff. You will also have experience of indirectly influencing other business functions through business partnering. F&A Skills: You will have exceptional skills in budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, analysis, and cost control, with a track record of driving performance improvements. External and Internal Finance: You will have had experience of Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, and external Statutory Reporting. International subsidiary experience would be an advantage but you must have experience of managing external professional advisory relationships. Communication skills: Excellent communication skills with the ability to operate at all levels within the business. You will be used to dealing with a variety of people from different backgrounds. Resilience: As the number one in Finance, you will be faced with managing competing priorities and tight deadlines in a dynamic, multistakeholder environment. You will have proven ability to perform effectively under pressure. Business Partnering ability: You will have strategic and commercial ability, able to analyse information and draw meaningful conclusions that can be used to improve and develop the business. Pro-active, efficient, reliable and professionally curious: You are the sort of person who thrives on finding opportunities to improve and develop the finance function and to work with the Group to implement wider company initiatives. A highly competitive salary and benefits / bonus package tailored to your experience is on offer for the right candidate. Hours of work 37.5 hours per week. The Company operates a flexible working week. Please send your CV to our recruitment partner Zela Mole at ESS Recruit