Head of Finance - Specialty Foods

The Head of Finance role in the Food Import and Distribution industry requires a professional with a strong background in accounting and finance to lead and manage financial operations effectively. The successful candidate will ensure financial compliance, develop strategies, and provide insights to support business growth.

Client Details

The business is a long-established distributor within the food and beverage sector, supplying a broad range of products to retailers, hospitality venues and trade customers. It operates two trading entities with a combined turnover of around £20 million and runs a lean structure supported by finance, operations and credit control teams. The company is built on reliable service, strong supplier relationships and efficient, well-disciplined financial and operational processes.

Description

• Prepare monthly management accounts, including reconciliations and detailed sales and margin reporting.
• Manage daily and weekly cash flow, treasury activities, payment scheduling, and foreign currency transactions.
• Liaise with external auditors on annual financial statements and support tax advisers with corporation tax and P11D submissions.
• Oversee credit control processes, including approval of new customer accounts and review of doubtful debt provisions.
• Support and manage two credit controllers and an accounts administrator, providing guidance, oversight, and workload coordination.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and maintain rolling monthly forecasts for profit, cash flow, and balance sheet performance.
• Prepare VAT returns, payroll summaries, pension submissions, and other statutory returns.
• Maintain accurate financial records, consolidation workings, and reporting packs for Board review.

Profile

A successful Head of Finance should have:

• Professional accounting qualification (ACA,ACCA,CIMA, or equivalent).
• Strong experience in financial and management accounting in the FMCG sector.
• Background in cash flow management, treasury operations, and multi-currency payments.
• Experience preparing management accounts, budgets, forecasts, and statutory returns.
• Confident working with auditors and external tax advisers.
• Solid understanding of credit control processes and ability to oversee credit teams.
• Experience supervising or managing finance staff, including credit controllers and accounts personnel.
• Strong Excel skills and familiarity with accounting systems.
• High attention to detail with strong organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with Board-level stakeholders.

Job Offer

• Competitive salary ranging from £60,000 to £95,000 per annum.
• Standard benefits package to support your professional and personal needs.
• Opportunity to work in a strong, well connected, family run business with a fantastic reputation in their industry.
• Permanent position offering stability and career progression.

If you're ready to take on the exciting role of Head of Finance and make a significant impact in the retail industry, we encourage you to apply today!