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Right Pear is proud to be working in partnership with Markes International in the search for their new Finance Director. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded and hands-on individual, to join the SLT of an established and award-winning organisation.
About The Business
The Markes International Group specialises in the design, manufacture and sale of advanced instrumentation and technology for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) alongside providing innovative solutions for gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) applications. The group is part of the Schauenburg International Group who operates a portfolio of technology focused companies based in Germany.
Operating from its manufacturing headquarters in Bridgend, Markes is a global business with over 180 employees worldwide, and sales & support operations in North America, Canada, Germany, and China. They are well positioned to further meet new and existing challenges in an ever-changing world.
Known for its strong staff retention and culture, Markes is focused on continued growth through both organic means and strategic acquisitions whilst maintaining its innovative and dynamic business model enabling laboratories to discover more and deliver more.
The Role
The Finance Director is a senior leadership position, reporting directly to the CEO. Based at the Bridgend head office at least 80% of the time, the role will involve some travel internationally and nationally. The role is easily commutable from Bristol and across South Wales.
The FD will be an integral member of the SLT and the wider management team with a remit to help shape the future direction of the business. Duties will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Financial Leadership and Management
- Management and oversight of all financial operations including review of monthly and quarterly management accounts, statutory accounts preparation, supervision of internal and external audits, quarterly forecasts, annual budgets, cash flow reporting and internal controls, compliance with UK GAAP.
- Leading the tax function of the group with external advisors maximising the groups tax position.
- Providing financial oversight and leadership for overseas entities and the group as whole, acting as a point of leadership, ensuring alignment with the company’s global business and financial strategy and compliance with local regulatory and tax obligations.
- Provide timely and accurate shareholder communications, and act as key contact for reporting to stakeholders and the coordination of key shareholder meetings.
- Manage liquidity and cashflow for all group operations including currency exchange risks and multi-currency financial transactions.
- Provide financial insights and performance metrics to support strategic decision making and operational efficiency.
- Manage working capital by optimising credit, cash, and procurement processes and specifically optimising the Group’s stock position though oversight, accurate costing and planning.
- Monitor and assess investment decisions, grant applications, and business cases for ROI and cost savings.
- Oversee and manage the annual budget and AGM processes, the administration of bonus structures, quarterly incentive plans and act in a secretarial capacity for the Group where applicable.
Operational and Commercial Support
- Oversee financial aspects of commercial operations, including sales contracts, procurement and terms, while supporting operational teams with forecasting.
- Provide leadership in managing company insurances, pensions, and compliance with global statutory regulations.
- Act as a business partner for the business to maximise impact of decisions and mitigate risk to support the underlying business goals and strategy
Team Leadership and Development
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement and development across the finance team (6 reports), providing line management and support for the finance team directly and the business as a whole indirectly
- Participate as a key member of the SLT, contributing to strategic planning and organisational growth.
About The Candidate
We’re looking for someone ambitious, adaptable and ready to take on a new challenge as the Markes Group aims to build on its current foundations for future growth.
The requirement is for a commercially astute, qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA), who has ideally had experience working within a manufacturing organisation preferably within the small-to-medium sized environment. It presents a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to grow with the business and make a real contribution to the future direction of the business.
This position requires an individual who thrives in a dual scope role of being both hands-on and well-integrated into the business (and its subsequent stakeholder group), yet also able to influence senior management and directly contribute to the decision making of the organisation.
The CEO describes this role as being very much a "2ic" position, requiring someone who is an excellent communicator, a skilled business partner / commercial thinker, and who prides themselves on tremendous attention to detail and getting things done.
About The Process
Please contact Jonny Hathrill or Giles Ellison at Right Pear to discuss this position and the process in more detail. The shortlisting deadline is on Friday 7th March, with 1st stage interviews commencing on Wednesday 12th March.
Right Pear is the retained recruitment partner to source the Finance Director for Markes-SepSolve. Any CVs sent to employees of the organisation by external recruitment agencies will be forwarded to the team at Right Pear.
