Financial Controller
Swindon | Manufacturing | £85,000-£95,000
Hawk 3 Talent Solutions are recruiting on behalf of our client, an established international manufacturing business with European operations across the UK, Germany and Italy.
We are looking for a hands-on, commercially focused Financial Controller to take full ownership of the finance function within a circa £20m-£30m turnover organisation. This is a role where you’ll have chance to make an impact and it is an opportunity to join the business during a period of structural change and transformation, with real scope to strengthen financial control, improve reporting and help shape future performance.
Acting as the main contact within the finance department for the EU, you will combine strategic input with hands on delivery. You will lead from the front, supporting senior stakeholders while driving meaningful improvements across systems, processes, controls and commercial insight.
This is a role where there is opportunity to join and make a change and they need someone who is proactive, resilient and delivery focused who is willing to get into the detail and make things happen.
Key responsibilities
- Take full ownership of day-to-day finance operations, ensuring accurate reporting and robust financial control.
- Lead the finance function through a period of structural change and wider business transformation.
- Deliver monthly management reporting, budgeting and forecasting cycles.
- Improve and simplify finance processes, audit procedures, controls and reporting quality.
- Optimise the use of the current SAP ERP system.
- Play a key role in developing and embedding the new Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP system, improving efficiency, data integrity and business visibility.
- Provide clear, actionable financial insight to support product costing, pricing and wider commercial decision-making.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve working capital, cost control and performance visibility.
- Manage intercompany transfers and purchases across international entities, ensuring efficient and compliant processes.
- Support procurement with cost improvement initiatives, stronger controls and process automation.
- Manage relationships with external auditors, banks and professional advisers.
- Ensure corporate compliance and appropriate controls when reporting into the US-based head office.
- Lead, manage and develop the accounting teams across the UK and European operations.
About you
You will be a commercially minded finance leader who is comfortable balancing strategic responsibility with hands on delivery. You will be confident operating in an evolving environment and able to bring structure, clarity and momentum during a period of change.
You will ideally have:
- Proven experience as a Financial Controller within an SME or mid-sized organisation.
- A background in manufacturing, engineering or a similarly operational environment.
- A successful track record within change, turnaround or transformation settings.
- Experience improving finance systems, processes, reporting and controls.
- Experience using SAP and/or Dynamics 365, which would be highly advantageous.
- Experience working within a multinational organisation and managing complex intercompany transactions and compliance requirements.
- Knowledge of German and Italian accounting requirements, which would be desirable.
- Experience supporting pricing analysis, product costing and commercial strategy.
- Previous responsibility for managing and developing a finance team.
- The confidence to challenge stakeholders constructively and influence commercial decisions.
Qualifications and approach
You will be a fully qualified accountant - ACA, ACCA or CIMA - with a strong analytical mindset and the ability to translate financial data into practical business actions.
The right person will be:
- Hands on and delivery focused, with a willingness to get into the detail.
- Commercially astute, with a clear understanding of how finance can support business performance.
- Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to work effectively through ambiguity and change.
- Proactive and solutions focused, rather than waiting for direction.
- Confident and credible, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- High ownership, able to operate as a true finance lead with limited infrastructure or support.
Why join?
This is an opportunity to make a visible and meaningful impact within an international manufacturing business.
- Take on a senior finance leadership role during a critical period of transformation.
- Help shape the future direction and performance of the business.
- Have the autonomy to improve systems, processes, controls and reporting.
- Gain direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making.
- Lead an international finance team and influence operations across multiple countries.
- Join a business that supports employee development and long-term career progression.
What’s on offer?
- Competitive salary up to £95K
- 25 days Holiday + BH
- Fixed 5% employer contribution each year
- Company-funded life insurance cover
- Company-funded short-term disability cover
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Apply now
If you are a commercially focused Financial Controller looking for a hands-on leadership role where you can drive change, improve systems and make a genuine impact, we would be pleased to hear from you