Head of Finance and Commercial Strategy (Manufacturing), East London

Overview

Our client, in the manufacturing sector (health supplements, complementary medicines and food supplements) is seeking a commercially minded

Head of Finance&Commercial Strategy

to lead the company’s financial function and support strategic growth within a fast-growing manufacturing environment. This role goes beyond traditional financial management and requires a leader who can partner with operations, sales, and executive management to drive profitability, optimise manufacturing efficiency, and support expansion initiatives. The successful candidate will play a critical role in strengthening financial controls, improving operational visibility, and guiding investment decisions as the company continues to scale its brands and manufacturing capacity.They are looking for someone who: A finance leader who can

bridge the gap between finance and operations . Someone who understands

manufacturing profitability and operational efficiency,

not just accounting. A commercially focused thinker who can help guide the company’s

next phase of growth . Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in

Accounting, Finance, or Economics

(CA(SA), CIMA, or CFA advantageous) 5+ years experience

in finance leadership roles, ideally within

manufacturing, FMCG, or production environments Strong experience in

financial modelling, operational finance, and commercial analysis Solid understanding of

manufacturing costing, inventory management, and margin optimisation Advanced

Excel and ERP/accounting system experience Responsibilities

Financial Leadership Lead the company’s financial strategy, ensuring strong financial governance and sustainable business growth. Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning across the business. Provide clear financial insight to the executive team to support strategic decision-making.Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, including management accounts and performance analysis. Commercial&Strategic Finance Partner with sales and marketing teams to evaluate commercial strategies, pricing models, and promotional investments. Provide financial modelling and scenario analysis for strategic initiatives and growth opportunities. Translate financial data into actionable insights that support business performance.Manufacturing&Operational Finance Oversee manufacturing cost structures including COGS, production efficiency, labour, and overhead allocation. Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce financial leakage across the production environment. Implement financial controls and reporting systems that improve visibility into production costs and margins.Work closely with operations to ensure optimal inventory management and working capital control. Capital Investment&Expansion Evaluate and model ROI for capital expenditure including machinery, production capacity increases, and facility improvements. Support strategic decisions relating to manufacturing expansion, operational investments, and infrastructure development. Lead financial feasibility assessments for new projects and business initiatives.Cashflow&Funding Strategy Manage cashflow planning and working capital requirements. Support funding discussions with banks, investors, and other financial stakeholders where required. Ensure financial resilience as the company scales its operations. Competencies: (Knowledge, skills and attributes) A finance leader who can

bridge the gap between finance and operations . Someone who understands

manufacturing profitability and operational efficiency,

not just accounting. A commercially focused thinker who can help guide the company’s

next phase of growth .

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