Head of Group Finance

At Raytec, we're entering an exciting new phase of growth.

Following the acquisition of our Finnish business and with ambitious plans to significantly grow the Group over the coming years, we're looking for an exceptional finance leader to help shape our future. As Head of Group Finance, you'll be more than the person responsible for the numbers. You'll be a trusted adviser, strategic partner and key member of the leadership team, helping guide business decisions across our operations in the UK, Canada and Finland

This is a rare opportunity to join a successful international manufacturing business at a pivotal point in its journey. You'll inherit a strong finance function and have the opportunity to transform it into a commercially focused, forward-looking business partner that supports growth, investment and long-term success.

The Opportunity

Job Title: Head of Group Finance

Location: Ashington, Northumberland

Salary: Competitive salary and monthly bonus scheme

Hours: Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.00pm, Friday 8.30am to 2.30pm

Contract: Permanent

Why This Role Exists

As Raytec continues to expand internationally, we're elevating this role from financial control to full financial leadership across the Group.

Our finance function has been instrumental in supporting the business to date. The next phase requires a leader who can provide strategic insight, strengthen commercial decision-making, improve forecasting and planning, and build the financial framework needed to support future growth.

You'll work closely with the Managing Director, Senior Leadership Team and stakeholders across the wider Group, ensuring finance plays a central role in shaping the company's future rather than simply reporting on its past.

What You'll Be Doing

You will:

• Provide financial leadership across the Raytec Group, including Raytec Ltd, Raytec Systems Inc and Atexor Oy.
• Take overall responsibility for accounting, reporting and financial governance across multiple entities, currencies and international locations.
• Partner with senior leaders to influence key commercial and strategic decisions.
• Develop robust forecasting, planning and performance management processes.
• Drive financial visibility through meaningful reporting, analysis and commercial insight.
• Lead commercial governance activities including contracts, risk management and support for future acquisitions.
• Build, develop and inspire the finance team, creating a high-performing culture focused on continuous improvement.
• Act as a trusted adviser to the Managing Director and leadership team, challenging constructively and helping shape the strategic direction of the business.

What Success Looks Like

• Establish yourself as a trusted member of the senior leadership team.
• Strengthen forecasting and financial planning capabilities across the Group.
• Improve visibility of business performance through insightful management information and KPI reporting.
• Further align finance processes across our international businesses.
• Support key commercial decisions and strategic initiatives.
• Develop the capability of the finance team to support future growth.
• Create a finance function that delivers forward-looking insight and drives business performance.

What We're Looking For

You'll be an experienced finance leader who combines technical excellence with commercial awareness and the ability to influence at board and senior leadership level.

You'll need:

• A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven financial leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience of group or multi-entity finance, including international operations and multi-currency consolidation.
• A track record of supporting strategy and commercial decision-making.
• Strong forecasting, modelling and financial planning expertise.
• Experience managing audit, compliance and internal controls.
• Excellent leadership skills and a passion for developing people.

It would also be beneficial if you have:

• Experience supporting acquisitions or post-acquisition integration.
• Experience working within an international group structure.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, ideally SAP Business One.
• Experience of contracts and risk management.
• Availability for occasional international travel.

Why Join Raytec?

Ask our team what it's like to work here and you'll often hear, "the best place I've ever worked." 93% of employees say Raytec is a great place to work and cite the trust they're given as one of the biggest reasons why.

Our products protect people and property in some of the world's most challenging environments, from the Arctic Circle to remote industrial facilities across the globe.

You'll join a business with ambitious growth plans, strong values and a culture where people are trusted to make a difference.

Benefits

• Attractive monthly bonus scheme
• Healthcare & Wellbeing Scheme
• Company stakeholder pension with matched contributions up to 4%
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays
• Additional long-service holiday entitlement
• Early finish every Friday
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee social events and activities
• Monthly onsite catering
• Long-service rewards and incentives
• Christmas hamper
• Complimentary refreshments and fresh fruit

About Raytec

Founded in 2005, Raytec is a global leader in LED lighting for safety and security applications. We design and manufacture specialist lighting products and serve customers worldwide from our operations in the UK, Canada and Finland. Since 2012, Raytec has been part of the OPTEX Group, a Japanese public company, and in 2025 expanded through the acquisition of Atexor.

Our mission is simple: to create innovative products that make dangerous environments safer while operating responsibly and sustainably.

Ready to Apply?

If you're looking for a role where your contribution extends far beyond the finance department and directly influences the future success of an international business, we'd love to hear from you.