Senior Finance Manager in Braintree - Michael Page Finance

This is a senior, site-based finance leadership role for a manufacturing business in North Essex, created following site consolidation and investment in modern machining. The role acts as the on-site finance lead, owning costing, product profitability and operational insight while partnering closely with manufacturing and commercial teams to drive performance and margin improvement.

Client Details

Our exclusively retained client is a well-established UK manufacturing and engineering business operating from a consolidated site in the North Essex area, (Colchester, Braintree). Following significant recent investment in modern machining and manufacturing capability, the business is entering its next phase of development and is strengthening its on-site leadership team.

The organisation manufactures a mix of standard products and more bespoke engineered solutions, supplying both UK and international markets. This creates a complex and interesting operational environment, requiring strong financial insight and close partnership with manufacturing and commercial teams.

Description

This is a senior, highly operational finance role, acting as the site finance lead for the business. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, with a dotted line to Group Finance, the Senior Finance Manager will play a critical role in improving costing accuracy, margin visibility and operational decision-making.

The role requires a strong on-site presence and will suit someone who enjoys working closely with the shop floor and influencing how finance supports the wider business. Somebody from a finance manager, or business partnering background may suit.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead site-level finance, management reporting and forecasting
• Own costing, product profitability and margin analysis across standard and bespoke products
• Partner closely with manufacturing and supply chain to improve efficiency, capacity utilisation and performance
• Support pricing, commercial decision-making and bespoke project costing
• Improve utilisation of ERP systems (Business Central) and strengthen data quality
• Develop and report operational KPIs including labour, machine efficiency, scrap and rework
• Lead and develop a small on-site finance team
• Work closely with Group Finance to ensure alignment with wider policies and controls

Profile

A successful applicant for this senior finance manager role should have the following skills and experience:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• Strong background in manufacturing or engineering finance
• Hands-on operational finance experience, including costing, BOMs and product profitability
• Comfortable being on site and close to manufacturing operations
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to influence decision-making
• ERP system experience
• Confident, pragmatic and able to challenge constructively

Job Offer

Salary: £70,000 - £85,000, with flexibility for a standout candidate

Bonus: Excellent Bonus potential based on individual and company performance

Plus

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• BUPA private healthcare
• Pension

Given the nature of the operation, this is a predominantly on site role (4dpw)