<p><strong>Northampton</strong><br /><strong>Exclusive Retained Search - Robert Half - Head of Finance</strong></p><p>Robert Half are proud to be exclusively retained by <strong>Miswa Chemicals Limited</strong> to appoint a <strong>Head of Finance</strong> based in <strong>Northampton</strong> in the <strong>office full time</strong>.</p><p>This role represents an opportunity for a <strong>high-performing finance leader</strong> to play a central role in scaling an ambitious manufacturing business while working closely with the owners and progressing toward a <strong>Finance Director position</strong> as the company continues its growth trajectory.</p><p><strong>The Opportunity</strong></p><p>Miswa is a fast-growing, independent British manufacturer of transportation and industrial chemical solutions with a clear ambition to scale to £50m+ revenue by FY29 while maintaining disciplined, profitable growth.</p><p>The business is seeking a high-calibre Head of Finance to manage a small finance function with a huge opportunity to expand, with aspirations toward a future Finance Director role, to lead financial strategy through its next phase of expansion. This role will suit an experienced finance leader from an SME or entrepreneurial environment who is commercially sharp, operationally grounded and comfortable partnering closely with owner-directors.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Role Purpose</strong></p><p>The Head of Finance will provide strategic and operational financial leadership, ensuring the business maintains strong financial discipline while scaling. The role will focus on delivering:</p><p><br />* Profitable and sustainable growth<br />* Rigorous financial control<br />* Strong cash flow management<br />* Robust governance and reporting<br />* Optimised funding structures<br />* Strategic readiness for future acquisitions</p><p>Working closely with the owners, the Head of Finance will strengthen profitability, build financial resilience and elevate the finance function to support long-term growth.</p><p><strong>Strategic Financial Leadership</strong><br />* Partner with the Managing Director and Board on long-term financial strategy<br />* Deliver EBITDA and cash targets aligned to the <strong>£50m growth plan</strong><br />* Lead disciplined capital allocation and investment decisions</p><p><strong>Profitability & Margin Management</strong><br />* Deliver SKU, customer and channel margin analysis<br />* Identify margin erosion and implement corrective action<br />* Support pricing governance and commercial decisions<br />* Drive continuous improvement in gross and net profitability</p><p><strong>Cash Flow & Reserve Development</strong><br />* Implement rolling <strong>6-12 month cash flow forecasting</strong><br />* Optimise working capital across inventory, receivables and payables<br />* Build and protect a meaningful cash reserve<br />* Develop structured plans to build an acquisition reserve</p><p><strong>Funding & Banking Oversight</strong><br />* Manage and optimise <strong>invoice discounting facilities</strong><br />* Oversee asset finance and commercial loan arrangements<br />* Support renegotiation of banking facilities and cost of capital<br />* Maintain strong relationships with lenders and advisors</p><p><strong>Capex & Investment Planning</strong><br />* Introduce structured ROI and payback analysis<br />* Evaluate capital expenditure proposals<br />* Ensure investment decisions align with strategic priorities</p><p><strong>Budgeting & Financial Governance</strong><br />* Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes<br />* Oversee delivery of clear monthly management accounts and board packs<br />* Implement financial dashboards aligned to key KPIs</p><p><strong>Operational Financial Control</strong><br />* Strengthen cost discipline across operations and production<br />* Link operational metrics to financial performance<br />* Drive financial accountability throughout the organisation</p><p><strong>Finance Team Leadership</strong><br />* Lead, develop and mentor the finance team<br />* Conduct structured performance reviews<br />* Improve reporting accuracy, systems and processes<br />* Oversee payroll governance and compliance</p><p><strong>FX & Risk Management</strong><br />* Develop and manage a structured foreign exchange strategy<br />* Protect margins through forward planning and hedging where appropriate<br />* Identify and manage financial risk proactively</p><p><strong>Candidate Profile</strong></p><p>We are seeking a commercially minded <strong>Head of Finance / aspiring Finance Director</strong> with:<br />* <strong>ACCA qualified (or equivalent)</strong><br />* Proven success within an <strong>SME growth environment</strong><br />* Strong experience driving <strong>profitability and margin improvement</strong><br />* Advanced <strong>working capital and cash flow management expertise</strong><br />* Experience managing <strong>invoice discounting, asset finance and loan structures</strong><br />* Track record renegotiating banking facilities<br />* Experience preparing businesses for <strong>acquisition or investment</strong><br />* Ability to operate effectively at <strong>Board level</strong><br />* Hands-on style with strong operational understanding<br />* High integrity and discretion when working with founders/owners</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/YmhhdmluLmtvdGVjaGEuMjQxODEuMTA5MjNAcmhpLmFwbGl0cmFrLmNvbQ.gif">
<p></p><p><strong>Location:</strong> Derby<br /> <strong>Hours:</strong> Full-time, Monday to Friday<br /> <strong>Reporting to:</strong> CEO</p><h2><strong>Role Purpose</strong></h2><p>The Head of Finance will lead the financial management, reporting and commercial analysis for the organisation. This role ensures the business has robust financial controls, accurate reporting, and forward‑looking insight that supports decision‑making, growth and operational performance.</p><p>This is both a strategic and hands‑on position, responsible for overseeing day‑to‑day finance operations while contributing directly to long‑term planning and business leadership.</p><h2><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></h2><h3><strong>Financial Management & Controls</strong></h3><ul><li>Lead the finance function, ensuring accurate and timely month‑end and year‑end close</li><li>Maintain strong financial controls, policies and processes</li><li>Oversee balance sheet integrity, reconciliations and audit readiness</li><li>Manage treasury, cash flow, banking relationships and working capital cycles</li></ul><h3><strong>Management Reporting</strong></h3><ul><li>Prepare monthly management accounts with insightful analysis</li><li>Present financial performance to senior leadership</li><li>Develop dashboards, KPIs and performance metrics</li><li>Ensure reporting is consistent, timely and decision‑ready</li></ul><h3><strong>Budgeting, Forecasting & Planning</strong></h3><ul><li>Lead annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting</li><li>Partner with operational leaders to build robust financial plans</li><li>Provide variance analysis with clear commercial explanations</li><li>Identify risks, opportunities and financial impacts</li></ul><h3><strong>Commercial Finance & Business Partnering</strong></h3><ul><li>Support pricing, margin analysis, cost reviews and investment decisions</li><li>Work with operations, sales and projects to improve financial outcomes</li><li>Provide financial modelling for business cases, capital spend or new initiatives</li></ul><h3><strong>Cash Flow & Working Capital</strong></h3><ul><li>Own cash flow forecasting and liquidity management</li><li>Drive improvements in debtor management, inventory and supplier terms</li><li>Monitor cash conversion and support funding requirements where needed</li></ul><h3><strong>Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement</strong></h3><ul><li>Improve finance systems and reporting tools</li><li>Strengthen processes to support scalability and growth</li><li>Lead upgrades or transitions to new accounting/ERP systems</li><li>Drive automation and efficiency across finance operations</li></ul><h3> </h3><h2><strong>Candidate Profile</strong></h2><h3><strong>Qualifications</strong></h3><ul><li>Fully qualified accountant (ACCA / CIMA / ACA or equivalent)</li><li>Strong technical grounding in financial and management accounting</li></ul><h3><strong>Experience</strong></h3><ul><li>Proven experience in a senior finance role, ideally Head of Finance or Finance Manager ready to step up</li><li>Background within SME environments </li><li>Experience in manufacturing and engineering</li><li>Demonstrable ability to lead a finance function end‑to‑end</li></ul><h3> </h3><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><p> </p><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/SmF5LkJob2phbmkuNzIwMzIuMTA5MjNAcmhpLmFwbGl0cmFrLmNvbQ.gif">
<p>Robert Half is supporting this growing SME, which has recently secured investment, in appointing a part-qualified Commercial Accountant. With an ambitious vision, the business is looking for someone to play a key role in modernising the finance function, overseeing management accounts, payroll, and business partnering.</p><p>This is a hybrid role with flexible working, where you'll be empowered to make an impact from day one.</p><p>As Commercial Accountant, you'll work closely with the CFO, and wider leadership team. You'll manage payroll, support month-end reporting, and deliver insightful commercial analysis. This is a hands-on role with plenty of scope to modernise processes, implement automation (Moorepay, AP automation), and contribute to business improvement initiatives. You will have one direct report. </p><p>Key responsibilities: </p><p data-end="1778" data-start="1741"><strong data-start="1741" data-end="1776">Management Accounts & Reporting</strong></p><ul data-end="2012" data-start="1779"><li data-end="1842" data-section-id="vhxdv" data-start="1779"><p data-end="1842" data-start="1781">Produce timely monthly Management Accounts and Board packs.</p></li><li data-start="1843" data-section-id="e90wnm" data-end="1920"><p data-start="1845" data-end="1920">Reconcile balance sheet accounts and maintain rolling 12-month forecasts.</p></li><li data-start="1921" data-end="2012" data-section-id="1ju2bn4"><p data-start="1923" data-end="2012">Provide commercial insight on sales, contribution margins, and manufacturing variances.</p></li></ul><p data-start="1314" data-end="1340"><strong data-end="1338" data-start="1314">Payroll & Compliance</strong></p><ul data-end="1739" data-start="1341"><li data-start="1341" data-section-id="11rq1m7" data-end="1440"><p data-end="1440" data-start="1343">Manage payroll with external bureau (Moorepay), ensuring timely and accurate employee payments.</p></li><li data-section-id="1lxvbk4" data-end="1551" data-start="1441"><p data-start="1443" data-end="1551">Collate and verify payroll data from HRIS (Softworks), including variable payments, bonuses, and absences.</p></li><li data-start="1552" data-end="1643" data-section-id="1qogc45"><p data-end="1643" data-start="1554">Reconcile payroll postings to the general ledger and maintain payroll control accounts.</p></li><li data-start="1644" data-end="1739" data-section-id="k1bn9i"><p data-end="1739" data-start="1646">Lead payroll-related initiatives, including automation, Auto Enrolment, and RTI compliance.</p></li></ul><p data-end="2039" data-start="2014"><strong data-end="2037" data-start="2014">Cashflow & Treasury</strong></p><ul data-start="2040" data-end="2217"><li data-section-id="1tcyy9r" data-end="2123" data-start="2040"><p data-start="2042" data-end="2123">Maintain a rolling 13-week cashflow forecast for early visibility of liquidity.</p></li><li data-start="2124" data-end="2217" data-section-id="18crdf9"><p data-end="2217" data-start="2126">Support treasury activities, including banking, reconciliations, and currency management.</p></li></ul><p data-start="2219" data-end="2265"><strong data-end="2263" data-start="2219">Business Partnering & Commercial Insight</strong></p><ul data-end="2510" data-start="2266"><li data-section-id="l06o87" data-end="2358" data-start="2266"><p data-start="2268" data-end="2358">Work closely with operational teams to promote financial awareness and drive efficiency.</p></li><li data-start="2359" data-end="2430" data-section-id="1okhd29"><p data-start="2361" data-end="2430">Support annual sales forecasting and updates to the business model.</p></li><li data-start="2431" data-end="2510" data-section-id="5999rd"><p data-end="2510" data-start="2433">Provide ad hoc analysis to improve financial performance and profitability.</p></li></ul><p><strong>YOU: </strong></p><ul><li>AAT qualified, with studying towards or ambition to progress to ACCA/CIMA.</li><li>Experience working in an an SME environment</li><li>Advanced Excel, ERP experience (Sage, Oracle, NetSuite, SAP, etc.), strong commercial awareness, attention to detail, excellent communication, flexible, and collaborative.</li></ul><h3 data-section-id="zxsitz" data-end="3204" data-start="3182">What You'll Gain</h3><ul data-start="3205" data-end="3566"><li data-end="3357" data-section-id="kbmpxk" data-start="3205">Opportunity to work closely with CFO </li><li data-start="3205" data-end="3357" data-section-id="kbmpxk"><p data-start="3207" data-end="3357">Flexible & hybrid working with 27 days holiday + bank holidays, plus extra perks like summer fun day, flexible monthly day.</p></li><li data-start="3377" data-end="3478" data-section-id="11nct1p"><p data-end="3478" data-start="3379">Study Support </p></li><li data-section-id="131kua2" data-end="3566" data-start="3479"><p data-start="3481" data-end="3566">Employee benefits: cycle-to-work scheme, product discounts, supportive team culture</p></li></ul><h3 data-start="3568" data-section-id="1lzcxm3" data-end="3599">Why This Role is Exciting</h3><ul data-start="3600" data-end="3881"><li data-end="3662" data-section-id="18zyx1w" data-start="3600"><p data-start="3602" data-end="3662">Hands-on finance involvement </p></li><li data-section-id="ttvj48" data-end="3723" data-start="3663"><p data-end="3723" data-start="3665">Opportunity to modernise and automate finance processes.</p></li><li data-section-id="1ti20y9" data-end="3798" data-start="3724"><p data-start="3726" data-end="3798">Close collaboration with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.</p></li><li data-start="3799" data-section-id="fnvoc" data-end="3881"><p data-end="3881" data-start="3801">Fast-moving, growth-oriented environment where you can make a real difference.</p></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/Q2F0aGVyaW5lLkhlbnJ5LjM1NDg2LjEwOTIzQHJoaS5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20.gif">
<p>Robert Half have partnered with a long standing client to support the continued growth of their Software Development function. <br /><br />This is a great role for a candidate who truly values work-life balance and wants to work in an established team with genuine investment in 2026.</p><p><strong>Essential requirements:</strong> </p><ul><li>Hands-on experience working in a DevOps environment, utilizing infrastructure as code (IaC), automation, and CI/CD pipelines. </li><li>Solid understanding of software development principles, including design patterns, architecture, and methodologies - particularly in middleware and service integration. </li><li>Proficiency in writing and debugging code using TypeScript (Node.js) and Python. </li><li>Experience with monitoring, logging, and observability tools such as Grafana, Prometheus, and AWS CloudWatch. </li><li>Proficiency with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools, particularly AWS CDK and Terraform. </li><li>Exposure to unit testing, integration testing, and automated test frameworks. </li><li>Practical experience with Git-based workflows and operational methodologies such as GitOps. </li><li>Proven experience designing and developing robust, scalable serverless applications in the cloud. </li><li>Deep working knowledge of relevant AWS services; primarily Lambda, API Gateway, SNS/SQS, S3, DynamoDB, IAM and CloudWatch. </li><li>Experience integrating with managed databases such as DynamoDB, Amazon RDS (MySQL/PostgreSQL), or similar.</li><li>Practical knowledge of event-driven architectures, leveraging services such as SNS, SQS, and Lambda triggers </li></ul><p><strong>Desirable requirements:</strong> </p><ul><li>Experience working within a security framework such as PCI DSS, Cyber Essentials, and ISO 27001, ensuring compliance and security best practices are met. </li><li>Experience working with agile methodologies, collaborating in sprints, managing releases, and delivering incremental, high-quality software. </li><li>Hands-on experience with Azure services, including Resource Groups, Service Bus, Azure Logic Apps, Function Apps, API Management. </li></ul><p><strong>Package/Logistics:</strong></p><ul><li>£50,000 - £60,000 DOE </li><li>Fully remote working </li><li>30 days annual leave + bank holidays </li><li>Private Medical Insurance</li><li>7% employer pension contributions </li></ul><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/Um9yeS5LaXJrbWFuLjc0NTIxLjEwOTIzQHJoaS5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20.gif">