The Business
A private equity-backed manufacturing business is seeking a hands-on CFO to lead the finance function through its next phase of growth. The business operates in a complex, multi-site environment and is looking for a finance leader who is as comfortable on the shop floor as in the boardroom.
The Role
This is not a strategy-from-a-distance CFO role. The successful candidate will roll up their sleeves and get into the detail; working closely with operations, driving process improvement, and taking ownership of tech stack improvement. You'll partner directly with the PE sponsor and management team to build a finance function fit for a scaling, acquisitive business.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and own an ERP migration/implementation from a finance perspective; process design, data integrity, stakeholder management, go-live and beyond
- Get genuinely into the weeds: production costing, inventory, margin analysis, working capital
- Build robust financial infrastructure (reporting, forecasting, controls) to support a PE ownership structure
- Partner with the sponsor on board reporting, value creation planning, and potential M&A activity
- Modernise and professionalise finance processes across a multi-site manufacturing footprint
- Mentor and, where needed, build out the finance team as the business scales
Candidate Profile
- Manufacturing finance background essential; comfortable with production economics, standard costing, inventory valuation, and plant-level P&Ls
- Proven ERP implementation/migration experience
- PE-backed or PE-adjacent experience strongly preferred; understanding of sponsor reporting requirements and value creation levers
- Open to either a seasoned CFO looking for a genuinely operational mandate, or a strong number 2 ready to step up into their first CFO seat
- Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)
- Hands-on, low-ego operator; someone who wants to be embedded in the business, not sat above it
