Job description
My client is an international FMCG business based in Manchester. They seek to appoint a strong finance leader who can act as a true partner to the MD, the Board and the business. The candidate will lead the Group’s Finance function, support the future strategy of the business, contribute to the management and development of the company, both externally and internally, and be a well-respected, senior financial professional.
Operationally, the FD will lead, build and develop a high performing finance team; monitoring, reporting and analysing the company’s performance through the provision of high quality management information, KPIs, plans and forecasts. As the owners seek to drive top and bottom line growth there will be an increasing emphasis on developing and improving quality management information systems to enable operational managers, the Board and the shareholders to have an accurate understanding of business performance at all times.
In order to drive performance and meet shareholder expectations, the company continues to undertake significant change, internally and across the markets and customers it addresses. The new FD will play a leading role in a number of key areas, including:
- Improving commercial reporting around margins, profitability and costs across its portfolio of products and customers
- Driving transformation across the finance function in terms of systems, processes, controls and people
- Leading the continued development of the recently implemented ERP system
- Management of external stakeholders including banks and debt providers to ensure the business is adequately and efficiently capitalised
- Effectively manage working capital, cash and stock
- Improving controls and governance around reporting and compliance with HMRC
- Working closely with commercial teams in order to manage costs and cost inflation and deliver commercially robust contracts
- Supporting the growth of the company, particularly as it diversifies into new markets, or different channels
- Overall – playing a key role in supporting the MD and Board to deliver the business plan
For these reasons, this role will appeal to a highly commercial finance professional, with experience of finance transformation and systems enhancement. The successful candidate will be able to provide leadership at both a strategic and operational level and make a significant contribution commercially, whilst not being afraid to roll up their sleeves and get into the detail.
Qualifications & Experience
• University degree and relevant professional qualification (i.e.. ACA, ACMA)
• Prior experience as FD of a similar sized, complex business
• Significant exposure to the FMCG sector and an understanding of the commercial dynamics associated with supplying major retailers
• Strong grasp of strategy and evidence of making a significant contribution to the development of a business beyond the confines of the finance function
• Outstanding commercial skills and proven ability to work as business partner to the FD
• Significant experience of implementing and/or developing SAP; ensuring the system delivers accurate, timely commercial management information
• Able to demonstrate a track record of working with Boards and management to drive major change in well-established companies
• Experience of working in a lean, fast paced environment, without large numbers of staff
Personal Characteristics
• Leads by example, is a role model, proactive, action-orientated and driven
• Proven agent of change who thrives in dynamic situations
• Detail-orientated, able to roll up sleeves and do the work
• Strong and effective leadership and interpersonal skills
• High integrity. Honest, fair and open
• Pragmatic, hands-on, down-to-earth and able to fit well into the no-frills culture of the company
• Proven ability to work well under significant pressure
• Independent of thought – able to challenge assumptions and adopt the role of questioner, while also being a strong team player
• A natural team builder and developer of people
• Stature and gravitas to influence at Board and able to think and act independently and to defend a position with robustness
• An excellent communicator who is equally comfortable when presenting to both staff and external audiences. Speaks his/her mind and is decisive
Operationally, the FD will lead, build and develop a high performing finance team; monitoring, reporting and analysing the company’s performance through the provision of high quality management information, KPIs, plans and forecasts. As the owners seek to drive top and bottom line growth there will be an increasing emphasis on developing and improving quality management information systems to enable operational managers, the Board and the shareholders to have an accurate understanding of business performance at all times.
In order to drive performance and meet shareholder expectations, the company continues to undertake significant change, internally and across the markets and customers it addresses. The new FD will play a leading role in a number of key areas, including:
- Improving commercial reporting around margins, profitability and costs across its portfolio of products and customers
- Driving transformation across the finance function in terms of systems, processes, controls and people
- Leading the continued development of the recently implemented ERP system
- Management of external stakeholders including banks and debt providers to ensure the business is adequately and efficiently capitalised
- Effectively manage working capital, cash and stock
- Improving controls and governance around reporting and compliance with HMRC
- Working closely with commercial teams in order to manage costs and cost inflation and deliver commercially robust contracts
- Supporting the growth of the company, particularly as it diversifies into new markets, or different channels
- Overall – playing a key role in supporting the MD and Board to deliver the business plan
For these reasons, this role will appeal to a highly commercial finance professional, with experience of finance transformation and systems enhancement. The successful candidate will be able to provide leadership at both a strategic and operational level and make a significant contribution commercially, whilst not being afraid to roll up their sleeves and get into the detail.
Qualifications & Experience
• University degree and relevant professional qualification (i.e.. ACA, ACMA)
• Prior experience as FD of a similar sized, complex business
• Significant exposure to the FMCG sector and an understanding of the commercial dynamics associated with supplying major retailers
• Strong grasp of strategy and evidence of making a significant contribution to the development of a business beyond the confines of the finance function
• Outstanding commercial skills and proven ability to work as business partner to the FD
• Significant experience of implementing and/or developing SAP; ensuring the system delivers accurate, timely commercial management information
• Able to demonstrate a track record of working with Boards and management to drive major change in well-established companies
• Experience of working in a lean, fast paced environment, without large numbers of staff
Personal Characteristics
• Leads by example, is a role model, proactive, action-orientated and driven
• Proven agent of change who thrives in dynamic situations
• Detail-orientated, able to roll up sleeves and do the work
• Strong and effective leadership and interpersonal skills
• High integrity. Honest, fair and open
• Pragmatic, hands-on, down-to-earth and able to fit well into the no-frills culture of the company
• Proven ability to work well under significant pressure
• Independent of thought – able to challenge assumptions and adopt the role of questioner, while also being a strong team player
• A natural team builder and developer of people
• Stature and gravitas to influence at Board and able to think and act independently and to defend a position with robustness
• An excellent communicator who is equally comfortable when presenting to both staff and external audiences. Speaks his/her mind and is decisive
