Financial Controller (future Finance Director)

Hays are delighted to be working in a retained partnership with Cygnus Instruments, who are entering an exciting phase of growth and evolution, creating an opportunity for a commercially minded Financial Controller (future Finance Director) to become a key member of the leadership team.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a broad, hands-on role that combines financial stewardship with genuine commercial influence. You'll take ownership of the finance function for a highly respected export-led manufacturing business whose products are trusted worldwide across marine, offshore, energy and industrial sectors.
This is far more than a traditional reporting role. As the senior finance professional within the business, you will play a key part in supporting strategic decision-making, improving financial visibility, strengthening operational reporting and helping the leadership team navigate the next stage of the company's journey.

Working closely with colleagues across manufacturing, operations, sales and engineering, you will provide meaningful commercial insight that supports growth, profitability and investment decisions. You'll be equally comfortable producing robust financial reporting, managing cash flow and controls, analysing product and customer profitability, and partnering with operational stakeholders to drive business performance.

The successful candidate will inherit a well-established finance function while identifying opportunities to further improve processes, systems, reporting and business intelligence. The role will suit an individual who enjoys variety, thrives in an SME environment and wants to see the direct impact of their work on business performance.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Control

• Lead the day-to-day finance function and ensure robust financial controls
• Prepare monthly management accounts, board reports and KPI reporting
• Manage annual budgeting, forecasting and cash flow planning
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and year-end processes
• Liaise with external accountants, auditors, banks and professional advisers
• Manage VAT, payroll, pensions, insurance and statutory compliance

Commercial Finance & Business Partnering

• Provide financial insight and analysis to support strategic decision-making
• Monitor profitability across products, customers and international markets
• Support pricing, margin improvement and investment appraisal activities
• Partner with department heads to improve financial awareness and accountability
• Develop reporting that helps drive operational performance and informed decision-making

Manufacturing & Operational Finance

• Oversee inventory valuation, stock controls and working capital management
• Support manufacturing costing and operational performance analysis
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, controls and efficiency
• Contribute to systems improvements and enhanced management information

International & Export Finance

• Support a globally focused business generating the majority of its revenue overseas
• Manage multi-currency transactions, foreign payments and banking relationships
• Provide financial oversight across the wider group structure
• Support international compliance and reporting requirements

Why Join Cygnus:

This is a highly visible position offering significant autonomy, influence and variety, making it an excellent opportunity for an ambitious Financial Controller who enjoys operating at the heart of a growing engineering and manufacturing business, to grow into the Finance Director role in the future.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• A highly flexible approach to hybrid working, with significant scope for home working and flexibility around how working hours are structured to support individual needs and work-life balance.
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced holiday entitlement with length of service
• Group life insurance
• Group income protection
• 3.5% employer pension contribution
• Free parking available on-site

To explore this opportunity in confidence and discuss how it could align with your long-term career ambitions, please apply now or contact Emily Oakes for a confidential conversation.

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