Chief Financial Officer – PE-Backed Industrial Business
Location: Manchester
Compensation: £200k + package (bonus + equity)
SMC2805
Company Overview
The business is a private equity-backed industrial services company headquartered in Manchester, generating approximately £20m in annual revenue. Operating across a diversified B2B customer base, the company provides specialist technical and industrial services, with a strong reputation for quality, reliability and long-term client relationships.
The business is mid-cycle under private equity ownership and is executing a well-defined value creation plan focused on scalable growth, operational efficiency and strategic M&A. With a proven platform in place, the company is pursuing a buy-and-build strategy to expand its service offering and geographic reach, alongside organic growth initiatives.
The sponsor is actively supporting management to drive EBITDA growth, enhance reporting quality and build a best-in-class finance function, with a clear objective of delivering a successful exit over the medium term.
To support this agenda, the Board and PE sponsor are seeking a high-calibre CFO to act as Finance No.1, partnering closely with the CEO and playing a central role in driving performance, executing the M&A strategy and preparing the business for exit.
Role Summary
The CFO will take full ownership of the finance function, providing financial leadership, control and insight across a scaling industrial services platform.
The role requires a strong blend of hands-on delivery and strategic leadership, with particular emphasis on cash generation, margin improvement, KPI visibility and M&A execution. Working closely with the CEO, senior leadership team and investors, the FD / CFO will enhance financial rigour, support decision-making and ensure the business delivers against its value creation plan.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as Finance No.1, owning end-to-end finance including reporting, controls, governance, statutory compliance and PE-grade board reporting
- Deliver high-quality financial insight across the business, including revenue quality, margin analysis, overhead control and profitability by service line
- Drive EBITDA growth through improved pricing discipline, cost optimisation and operational performance tracking
- Lead cashflow forecasting, working capital management and balance sheet optimisation to improve cash conversion
- Build and scale financial systems, reporting capabilities and KPI dashboards aligned to a growing, multi-entity group structure
- Support and lead the financial aspects of the buy-and-build strategy, including modelling, due diligence, deal execution and post-acquisition integration
- Partner closely with operational and commercial teams to improve planning, forecasting accuracy and performance accountability
- Lead exit readiness initiatives, including data integrity, quality of earnings, and engagement with advisors and lenders
Candidate Profile
- Proven Finance Director / CFO (or high-potential #2 stepping up) within a PE-backed industrial, services or manufacturing environment
- Strong track record of operating in mid-cycle PE settings, with exposure to value creation plans and exit processes
- Experience supporting M&A and buy-and-build strategies, including diligence, integration and scaling group structures
- Demonstrable ability to drive cash generation, margin improvement and financial discipline in operational businesses
- Commercially minded, with the ability to partner effectively with operational leadership and challenge decision-making constructively
- Hands-on, pragmatic and comfortable operating in a scaling, performance-driven environment
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging PE investors, lenders and external advisors
