Interim Finance Director - SME - Immediate Start

08 January 20262026-01-08
North West

Our client is a well-established, owner-managed SME operating within the logistics, transport and distribution sector, with turnover in the region of £15–30m. Profitable and operationally robust, the business is at a pivotal stage of its development, with clear growth ambitions and a need to strengthen its financial infrastructure to support the next phase.

This is an urgent, on-site interim appointment, requiring an individual who can start at short notice and quickly embed themselves within the business.

The Opportunity

This is a highly influential, hands-on Finance Director role, working closely with the owners and senior leadership team. The business now requires sharper financial insight, more robust systems and clearer management information to support better decision-making across operations.

You will act as a trusted commercial partner to the owners, bringing structure, challenge and clarity, while remaining close to the day-to-day realities of a stock- and asset-intensive logistics environment.

The Role

As Interim Finance Director, you will take full ownership of the finance function and operate as a key voice at board level. Your remit will include:

  • Acting as a core member of the leadership team, providing clear financial insight, analysis and constructive challenge

  • Reviewing, upgrading and implementing finance and ERP systems, alongside associated processes and controls

  • Designing and delivering high-quality management information to support operational and commercial decisions

  • Full responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and working capital management, with a strong focus on stock

  • Leading and developing the existing finance team

  • Supporting operational improvements, contract profitability analysis and short- to medium-term strategic planning

About You

You will be a pragmatic, commercially minded finance leader who is comfortable operating in an owner-managed SME and being highly visible on-site.

You are likely to bring:

  • Proven experience at Finance Director level within an SME (£15–30m turnover)

  • A strong background in transport, logistics, distribution or similar operational environments

  • Deep experience managing stock, working capital and cashflow

  • Hands-on involvement in finance system and ERP implementation or improvement

  • The confidence and credibility to influence owners and senior stakeholders

  • Availability to start at short notice and commit to five days per week on site in the North West

Summary

This is an excellent interim opportunity for a Finance Director who thrives in hands-on environments, enjoys improving systems and insight, and wants to make a tangible impact in a growing logistics-led SME.