Job Description

Finance LeadUniversal Matter Inc. Redcar And Cleveland, England, United Kingdom (On-site)SaveApply

Finance Lead - Universal Matter | Redcar, Cleveland (UK)

Universal Matter is looking for a Finance Lead to lead reporting, cost accounting, and ERP implementation at our Redcar operation.

At

Universal Matter

, we are redefining what's possible in materials science. As global leaders in graphene and advanced carbon materials, we're driving sustainable innovation across construction, polymer composites, rubber & tires, and coatings -- enabling industry transformation worldwide.

This is a

mid-to-senior level leadership role

for a hands-on finance professional who thrives at the intersection of

financial control, manufacturing cost accounting, and business systems transformation

.

The Role

The Finance Lead will be responsible for end-to-end financial management of the UK entity, driving robust reporting, planning, and cost control while leading the implementation and optimisation of modern financial systems.

This role offers the opportunity to

build processes and structure from the ground up

, influence strategic decision-making, and grow a finance team as the business expands.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Control

Own and lead the

full month-end close

, producing accurate and timely financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) for group consolidation Maintain the

general ledger

and ensure compliance with GAAP / IFRS accounting standards Design and implement

accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls

to formalise financial operations and safeguard company assets

Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting (FP&A)

Build and manage

budgets, forecasts, and cash flow models

aligned with the company's growth strategy Deliver insightful

financial analysis and commercial insight

to support senior leadership decision-making

Manufacturing & Cost Accounting

Oversee

plant financials

, including cost accounting, inventory valuation, and margin analysis Apply strong technical expertise in

COGS, process costing, overhead allocation, and WIP tracking

to ensure accurate margin reporting Identify and drive

cost optimisation opportunities

across manufacturing and supply chain operations

Systems & Process Transformation

Lead or support the

end-to-end ERP implementation lifecycle for Microsoft Dynamics

Define and manage

ERP integrations

with finance and third-party systems Drive system optimisation, reporting enhancements, and user adoption to institutionalise scalable finance processes

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

Lead the

UK finance function

, with responsibility to build and develop a finance team covering AP, AR, payroll, treasury, and related areas Act as the

key interface between finance, production, and commercial teams

Manage

working capital

, credit control, and payment cycles to optimise liquidity

Essential Skills & Experience

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related discipline Professional qualification

CIMA, ACCA, or ACA strongly preferred

Experience

5+ years' progressive accounting experience

, ideally within a

manufacturing SME environment

Technical Expertise

Deep, demonstrable experience in

manufacturing cost accounting

(COGS, process costing, inventory valuation, WIP) Proven experience leading or supporting

ERP implementations or migrations

Advanced

Excel

skills for financial modelling;

SQL / data integration

experience highly advantageous

Personal Attributes

Highly analytical, detail-oriented, with strong strategic thinking capability Excellent communication skills and commercial acumen to influence senior stakeholders

Hands-on leader

comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Why Join Universal Matter?

Be part of a

high-growth, purpose-driven manufacturing business

Lead meaningful

systems and finance transformation

Build and shape a finance function with real strategic impact Work closely with ownership and senior leadership
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 40,000.00-75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Canteen Company events Company pension Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site parking Private medical insurance Sick pay
Education:

Bachelor's (preferred)
Experience:

Chemistry, manufacturing & controls: 3 years (preferred) Microsoft Dynamics Navision: 3 years (preferred)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person