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Recruitment Consultant @ ESS Recruit | Driving Talent Acquisition Success
HEAD OF FINANCE
BASED LIVINGSTON
SALARY EXCELLENT PLUS BONUS AND BENEFITS PACKAGE
Based in Livingston, ESS Recruit’s client comprises a group of European companies engaged in the design, development, manufacture, and distribution of analytical systems, life science equipment, and laboratory instruments. 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, with manufacturing 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:
1. Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the financial strategy in alignment with the company's business objectives.
2. Financial Planning & Analysis: Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes, providing insightful analysis to support strategic decisions.
3. Internal Management Reporting: Own month-end internal reporting and act as the lead for coordinating the monthly departmental management report.
4. Statutory Compliance & Reporting: Oversee accurate financial reporting under IFRS, ensuring compliance with local GAAP across UK and NL entities and managing annual audits.
5. Cost Management & Efficiency: Partner with operational teams to monitor manufacturing costs, improve margins, and enhance financial performance.
6. Risk Management: Identify and mitigate financial risks, maintaining robust internal controls and governance processes.
7. Global Collaboration: Collaborate with a distributed finance team, working with stakeholders across the matrix organisation to deliver operational excellence.
8. Capital Allocation: Optimize working capital, cash flow, and investment strategies to support growth initiatives and sustain business agility.
9. Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with auditors, external advisors, and financial institutions to support business objectives.
Required Skills and Experience:
1. 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.
2. Qualified Accountant: You will hold a full professional accounting membership and at least 5 years post-qualifying experience, gained in a manufacturing or similar business environment.
3. People Leadership: You will ideally have prior experience on the Senior Leadership Team and a demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams across multiple geographies.
4. 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.
5. External and Internal Finance: You will have experience in Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, and external Statutory Reporting.
6. Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills with the ability to operate at all levels within the business.
7. Resilience: Proven ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines in a dynamic, multistakeholder environment.
8. Business Partnering Ability: You will have strategic and commercial ability, able to analyse information and draw meaningful conclusions.
9. 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.
A highly competitive salary and benefits/bonus package tailored to your experience is on offer for the right candidate. Hours of work are 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.
Seniority level
* Director
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Finance, Accounting/Auditing, and Management
* Industries: Manufacturing
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