The Company

PWR specialises in robotic automation for the food industry, working with food suppliers to develop customised solutions. The company focuses on delivering high speed lines coupled with the highest possible line efficiencies in order to maximise the return on investment for its customers.

PWR’s product is state-of-the-art and having a strong reputation for technical excellence, PWR is ahead of the curve and is aggressively taking this game changing product to revolutionise the food industry. High profile customers include PepsiCo and Mars.

PWR is growing at an impressive rate, having recently doubled in size to achieve a turnover of approximately £30 million, with plans to double again over the next 4-5 years. The company is profitable and in a strong cash position, despite current market challenges posed by COVID-19, allowing for significant future investment to aid rapid growth.

Joining the Operational Board, the successful candidate will add value across various touch points, including commercial and operational finance, Group Finance and reporting, and executing high-profile strategic projects, such as a move to a larger facility in the Netherlands. The successful individual will also design and implement the necessary systems and controls to drive performance and manage risk, pathing the way for further growth.

The Role

The Finance Director will look after the overall financial health of PWR and will be an advisor to the Managing Director and Operational Board. They will absorb themselves in the business, showing a keen appetite to understand the company, whilst building significant trust with the Board.

As this is a newly created role it is imperative that the appointed individual implements the appropriate financial infrastucture, including a robust Group and FX reporting process, insightful management information packs and KPI reporting systems to give true visibility and drive future performance. The implemented systems and processes will provide real time information, will facilitate future growth and ensure continuity of product offering, pricing, transparency around performance and managing risk.

The Finance Director will work closely with the engineers to ensure the correct costing and pricing structures. To drive operational performance, it is imperative candidates come from a complex ‘Work in Progress’ / operational projects environment, focusing on the ‘cost of time’ and man hours accrued, to ensure the correct pricing of substantial projects.

The appointed individual will also execute various high-profile strategic projects, including the analysis of the current outsourced services, to identify which services should be brought in-house. This role also involves managing and developing PWR’s external banking, advisory and investor relationships.

The Individual

It is imperative the appointed Finance Director is technically strong, however they will also be commercially focused with a proven track record of adding significant value in a fast moving and agile environment.

The successful candidate will have the ability to influence at all levels within an organisation, coupled with a proven track record of positively impacting ‘Work in Progress’ costings, and in turn EBITDA. The individual should be strategically focused but also very hands-on to ensure the accurate delivery of financial information.

It is highly likely the selected individual will have operated in an entrepreneurial manufacturing business experiencing a similar journey of high growth. Exposure to European/international reporting and multi-currency is required, as is an exceptional business acumen to have the required impact on operational efficiencies and pricing.

The Finance Director will be a driven individual with a passion for driving performance who carefully executes the risk versus opportunity equation.

The cultural fit of the appointed individual is as important as their technical ability and day to day execution of their responsibilities. The Finance Director will be an approachable leader who will be act as an advisor to the business, offering the required commercial, operational and technical support.

What to do Next

To find out more or see a full Position Profile, please contact our retained advisor, Mark Lewis at Livingston James by emailing [email protected]

Please note that any direct or third party approaches will be sent to Livingston James for review and assessment.