Financial Controller

A high-growth, private equity-backed infrastructure and construction services group is seeking an experienced Senior Financial Controller to take ownership of finance for a £55 million turnover operational business specialising in haulage, plant hire and associated support services.

This is a highly visible leadership role within one of the group's largest trading entities, offering the opportunity to partner directly with the operational leadership team while acting as the key link into the wider Group Finance function.

The business is at an important stage in its evolution, with continued investment in systems, controls and reporting, creating an opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional to make a significant impact.

The successful candidate will combine robust financial control with strong commercial acumen, helping operational leaders understand performance, improve profitability and drive better decision-making across a complex, fast-paced operation.

The Role

Reporting to the Group Finance Director and working closely with the local Managing Director and senior operational team, you will take full responsibility for the finance function of a £55m turnover business unit, ensuring robust financial management while supporting the continued growth and development of the wider organisation.

This role goes beyond traditional financial reporting. You will act as a true business partner to operational leaders, providing insight into margin performance, fleet utilisation, plant profitability, working capital and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of financial control for a £55m turnover haulage and plant operation
• Produce accurate and timely monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet, cashflow reporting and detailed performance commentary
• Ensure strong governance, controls and compliance across all finance activities
• Drive continuous improvements in financial reporting, accuracy and management information
• Manage year-end processes and support external audit requirements

Commercial Finance & Business Partnering

• Partner closely with the Managing Director and operational leadership team to drive business performance
• Deliver meaningful financial analysis and insight to improve profitability and operational decision-making
• Monitor and challenge costs across fleet, plant, labour and overhead expenditure
• Support commercial decision-making through scenario modelling, investment appraisals and business cases
• Develop meaningful KPIs that provide operational leaders with greater visibility of performance drivers

Budgeting, Forecasting & Cash Management

• Lead annual budgeting and rolling forecasting processes
• Drive weekly cashflow reporting and working capital management
• Improve visibility of operational performance, margins and profitability
• Support initiatives to strengthen cash collection and optimise working capital

Systems, Processes & Transformation

• Support the ongoing development of finance processes, systems and controls
• Play a key role in embedding Group reporting standards and systems, including NetSuite
• Identify opportunities to automate reporting and improve efficiency
• Help drive consistency and best practice across finance and operational processes

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and develop local finance resource, creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
• Build strong working relationships across operational, commercial and finance teams
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders throughout the business
• Influence change through credibility, collaboration and clear communication

About You

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Proven experience in a Financial Controller, Senior Financial Controller or equivalent leadership role
• Strong financial control, management accounting and business partnering capability
• Experience within operational, logistics, plant hire, construction, infrastructure, manufacturing or service-led environments would be advantageous
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial business
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to challenge and influence non-financial stakeholders
• Experienced in budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management and working capital improvement
• Strong systems capability, with ERP experience (NetSuite exposure beneficial but not essential)

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a growing, ambitious organisation where finance plays a central role in strategic and operational decision-making. You'll have genuine autonomy, direct exposure to senior leadership and the chance to make a measurable impact on the performance of a significant £55m business unit while contributing to the wider group's growth journey.

The Legal Bit:

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. By applying for this role, you are explicitly consenting for McCarthy Recruitment to hold and process your data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations. And your details will be added to our holding database. We process certain personal information about you for our legitimate business interests to identify and contact suitable candidates about positions that may be relevant to them. Details are set out in our privacy policy at privacy. If you wish to exercise your right to access, erase or restrict the processing of your data please contact us at the office and we will respond to your query.