VP Finance/Finance Director - Global Engineering Company

You will be a key member of the senior leadership team, with full responsibility for Accounting and IT functions. A highly commercial finance leadership position, working closely with operational and commercial leaders to improve financial performance, enhance margin discipline, optimise working capital and support strategic decision-making. Responsibilities include: Champion and embed a true business partnering approach across the organisation, ensuring finance is proactively supporting, challenging and enabling decision-making across all functions. Developing and coaching the finance team for effective succession planning within the function Owning the annual business plan, forecasting cycle and margin projections Providing financial analysis to support pricing, customer quotations, contract negotiations and investment decisions Evaluating capital expenditure proposals and validating return on investment Driving cost improvement and productivity initiatives across the manufacturing organisation Managing working capital with a strong focus on inventory, receivables and payables Strengthening financial processes, systems and internal controls to ensure timely and accurate forecasting, compliance and audit readiness. The Successful Applicant We are seeking a commercially astute, operationally credible finance leader who understands how finance drives performance in a complex, regulated manufacturing environment. You will bring: A fully qualified (ACA, CIMA, ACCA) senior financial leadership, with experience operating within contract-driven manufacturing environments. Significant progressive experience across Financial Accounting, FP&A and Cost Accounting Advanced analytical and systems capability, including strong Excel proficiency The presence, communication skills and resilience to influence across functions and at executive level. Strong knowledge of internal controls, compliance frameworks and audit processes A proven ability to link business strategy to financial drivers and measurable outcomes Experience leading and developing high-performing teams This opportunity offers clear progression into a broader Group-level finance role with a strong commercial focus, supporting the performance and strategic direction of a portfolio of European operating companies. For the first 12 months, your focus will be fully dedicated to the VP of Finance remit, with significant on-site presence required at a major North East facility - suiting someone comfortable staying away during the week. Thereafter, the role will become primarily remote with regular European travel, making proximity to a major international airport advantageous.