Financial Controller

Financial Controller – ManufacturingCambridge£70,000–£80,000 + bonus and benefitsPermanent | Full-time | Predominantly on-siteA specialist engineering manufacturer is bringing its finance function in-house as it enters the next stage of its growth.The business designs and manufactures process machinery, ranging from established product lines to large, bespoke systems for customers across Europe, the US and the Middle East.Its equipment is used in sectors including medical devices, aerospace and Formula 1.Following significant new contract wins, the company is relocating to a larger facility in Cambridge and strengthening its integration with a US-based, private-equity-owned industrial group.It now needs a qualified Financial Controller who can take ownership of the UK entity’s numbers while working closely with operations to improve cost, margin and commercial performance.The opportunityThis is not a role limited to producing monthly reports.You will work directly with the local leadership, production, engineering and sales teams—reviewing bills of material, investigating manufacturing costs and identifying where the business can improve its margins.You will also take ownership of the integrity of the UK financial statements, validate the monthly close and provide accurate, timely reporting to the wider international group.Transactional AP and AR activity is moving into a shared-service centre, allowing you to focus on financial control, costing, analysis and business partnering.An experienced external accountant who has supported the business for many years will provide knowledge transfer and help create a smooth transition.You will be responsible for:Taking ownership of the financial statements for the UK entityValidating the monthly close and ensuring accurate group reportingReviewing balance-sheet reconciliations, journals and financial controlsManaging budgets, forecasts, cash flow and working capitalOwning UK statutory reporting and coordinating the year-end auditOverseeing VAT, corporation tax, payroll and pension complianceMaintaining accurate inventory and work-in-progress valuationsReviewing bills of material, labour rates and manufacturing overheadsMaintaining and improving the product-costing processesAnalysing material, labour, purchasing and production variancesComparing estimated and actual costs on customer-specific projectsIdentifying cost-saving and margin-improvement opportunitiesSupporting quotations, pricing and customer-profitability decisionsProducing clear operational reporting for local and international leadershipDeveloping stronger finance systems, processes and controlsAbout youYou will be ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, with hands-on finance experience gained within manufacturing or engineering.You should be able to demonstrate:A strong understanding of manufacturing financeExperience of inventory, WIP and stock valuationPractical product or standard-costing knowledgeThe ability to understand bills of material, routings and production ordersExperience of month-end close, budgeting and forecastingKnowledge of UK statutory reporting, VAT and audit requirementsStrong Excel and ERP-system capabilityThe confidence to challenge operational and commercial decisions constructivelyThe ability to explain financial information without relying on accounting jargonExperience of job costing, bespoke equipment, capital machinery or project-based manufacturing would be particularly valuable.Exposure to a US-owned, international or private-equity-backed organisation would also be advantageous, although previous US GAAP experience is not essential.The environmentThe company has retained the pace, personality and close working relationships of a smaller engineering business while gaining the investment and support of an international group.You will suit the culture if you are:Structured, self-sufficient and comfortable taking ownershipCurious about how products are engineered and manufacturedWilling to get close to the operation rather than remain behind a spreadsheetCommercially minded and motivated by improving performanceComfortable working at pace in a growing, private-equity-backed environmentApproachable, collaborative and able to enjoy working as part of a close teamWhy join?Become the finance lead for a growing UK manufacturing businessBring a previously outsourced finance function in-houseInfluence costing, margins and operational decision-makingJoin during a move into a larger manufacturing facilitySupport major new contracts and international growthGain visibility across European and US group leadershipWork with technically interesting products and high-profile global customersReceive structured handover supportThe role will be based predominantly on site in Cambridge because of its close involvement with manufacturing and operations.For an experienced Manufacturing Finance Manager seeking their first Financial Controller appointment—or a hands-on Financial Controller who wants greater operational influence—this is an opportunity to take genuine ownership and help shape the next stage of the business.