Interim Finance Lead - Inventory

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced finance professional to join on an 18-month FTC as an Interim Head of Finance - Manufacturing, based in Northamptonshire. Working four days on-site, you will play a key role in a major transformation programme, helping to embed structure, improve processes, and drive operational efficiency across manufacturing finance.

This is a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, partnering closely with both finance and operational teams to identify gaps and implement practical, scalable improvements. You will focus on strengthening controls, enhancing system usage, and driving automation, while ensuring a robust and well-managed approach to stock-related processes and reporting. You will also support the evaluation and implementation of new tools, particularly those impacting finance operations.

Alongside this, you will provide oversight to team activity, ensuring high-quality output aligned to factory operations. Success in the role will be measured through tangible improvements in processes, system effectiveness, data accuracy, and overall financial performance.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead improvements across manufacturing finance, embedding best-practice processes, controls, and structure
• Support wider finance transformation initiatives, including enhancements to stock processes and system use
• Drive automation and efficiency to streamline workflows and reduce manual intervention
• Optimise ERP system usage and support system enhancements or implementations
• Partner with finance, operations, and systems teams to improve reporting accuracy and data integrity
• Balance detailed analysis with a strategic view, ensuring appropriate oversight of working capital
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across operations, engineering, and senior leadership
• Clearly communicate financial and operational performance, including key cost drivers and balance sheet impact

About you:

You will bring strong experience within a manufacturing finance environment, with a solid understanding of stock accounting and associated processes. You are adaptable, hands-on, and comfortable operating in a changing, transformation-led setting.

• Experience in manufacturing or operational finance environments
• Good understanding of stock accounting, controls, and reporting
• Proven ability to deliver process improvements and system enhancements
• Experience working with SAP or similar ERP systems, including stock-related modules
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, evolving environments
• Strong problem-solving skills with a practical, solutions-focused approach
• Effective communicator, able to collaborate across finance and operational teams

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates