Finance Manager

Reed Finance are delighted to be partnering with a leading manufacturing business near Taunton to recruit a Finance Manager for a newly created position. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious finance professional looking to take ownership of a broad role, influence key business decisions, and progress their career within a growing organisation.

Offering excellent exposure across finance and operations, alongside genuine opportunities for career development and progression, this role would suit a qualified or qualified-by-experience finance professional with strong management accounting and business partnering skills.

• Salary of £45,000 - £48,000 + benefits
• Newly created role with scope to make a real impact
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Excellent opportunities for progression and development
• Exposure to strategic projects and senior stakeholders
• Supportive and collaborative working environment

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full month-end and year-end reporting cycle, including journal preparation, reporting, and production of insightful management accounts.
• Lead, mentor and develop two direct reports within the finance team.
• Take ownership of monthly forecasting, partnering with operational teams to improve accuracy and provide forward-looking business insights.
• Drive initiatives to identify and reduce loss-making products, working cross-functionally to improve profitability and deliver cost-saving opportunities.
• Prepare monthly payroll and provide cover for weekly payroll processing, including pensions and statutory requirements.
• Oversee inventory management and stock control processes.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to support operational and financial decision-making.
• Support an upcoming ERP system migration project.
• Assist with the annual budgeting process.
• Prepare and coordinate capital expenditure submissions.
• Lead annual audit preparation and act as the key contact for external auditors.
• Own and develop product costing and margin analysis, including labour, overhead and inventory considerations, driving improvements in cost control and profitability.

About You

• Previous experience in a Finance Manager, Management Accountant or similar role.
• Strong month-end reporting and management accounts experience.
• Experience within manufacturing, engineering or a stock-based environment would be highly advantageous.
• Confident working with operational stakeholders and influencing business decisions.
• Strong analytical skills with experience of forecasting, budgeting and KPI reporting.
• Previous staff management or supervisory experience preferred.