Finance Director - Food Manufacturing

Role Overview:

The Finance Director will lead both strategic and day-to-day financial activities for the division within the company, overseeing 2 manufacturing sites. This position works closely with leaders across operations, supply chain, sales, and corporate finance to improve profitability, guide expansion plans, and maintain strong financial discipline.

The successful candidate will bring a mix of commercial awareness, operational finance knowledge, and practical leadership experience, ideally gained in manufacturing, consumer goods, food production, or large-scale distribution settings.

Please note, this is an onsite role 5 days a week in Upstate New York. The role comes with an attractive relocation & wider compensation package.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Finance & Business Partnership

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across operational teams.
• Manage annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and long-term financial plans.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, improve margins, and reduce costs.
• Present financial results and insights in a clear, decision-focused manner to leadership teams.

Financial Operations & Performance Management

• Oversee month-end close activities, management accounts, and performance reporting.
• Ensure accurate reporting of profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow positions.
• Deliver analysis on costs, productivity, investment returns, and operational performance.
• Support site and supply chain teams with spending control, efficiency improvements, and capital planning.

Controls, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to accounting standards, internal policies, and governance requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external audit processes.
• Identify financial risks and introduce appropriate controls or mitigation plans.
• Maintain oversight of stock controls, product costing, and capital expenditure processes.

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage, coach, and develop a high-performing finance function.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Build strong working relationships with departments such as procurement, HR, IT, and operations.

Candidate Profile

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Significant progressive finance experience, including management responsibility.
• Strong exposure to large food manufacturing environments with multi-site experience required.
• Proven expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and business performance analysis.
• Experience partnering with senior stakeholders and operational teams.
• Advanced spreadsheet and financial modelling capability.
• Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills.