The Financial Controller will be a key leader in the finance team, reporting directly to the Regional Finance Director (FD). This role oversees the complete financial function for the local entity, balancing rigorous control over the manufacturing plant's financial performance with strategic commercial analysis to drive business growth for this leading British FMCG manufacturer. The Controller will manage a small team and act as a critical bridge between local operations, commercial teams, and regional management.
Roles & Responsibilities
Plant Finance & Operations Control
Manufacturing Cost Control: Oversee and manage the financial performance of the manufacturing plant, ensuring strict control over production costs, variances, and inventory valuation.
Costing and Inventory: Lead the product costing process (Standard Costing vs. Actuals), monitor PPV (Purchase Price Variance), analyze overhead absorption, and ensure inventory valuation adheres to Group policies and IFRS.
Capital Expenditure (CAPEX): Manage the CAPEX budgeting, tracking, and post-implementation review process for all plant investments, ensuring financial justifications and returns are realized.
Internal Controls & Compliance: Ensure robust financial controls are maintained across the plant's operational processes (Procure-to-Pay, Order-to-Cash, etc.) and that physical asset counts (inventory and fixed assets) are accurately reconciled.
Commercial Finance & Business Partnering
FP&A and Reporting: Lead the preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports for local management and Regional FD.
Budgeting & Forecasting: Own the local entity's annual budgeting and rolling forecast processes (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow), aligning inputs with sales, marketing, and operations departments.
Commercial Analysis: Serve as a Finance Business Partner to the Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams, providing actionable insights on GP (Gross Profit) margins, trade spending effectiveness, brand profitability, and pricing strategy.
Performance Analysis: Conduct deep-dive analysis on commercial performance, tracking key sales and marketing initiatives and analyzing variances against budget/forecast to identify risks and opportunities.
General Finance, Leadership & Compliance
Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of two direct reports (e.g., Accounts Executive/Analyst), overseeing their daily tasks (GL, AP, AR) and fostering their professional development.
Statutory & Audit: Oversee all statutory and tax compliance matters. Act as the primary local liaison for the annual external audit, tax agents, and relevant regulatory authorities, ensuring filings are accurate and on schedule.
Treasury & Cash Flow: Manage local cash flow forecasting and monitor daily treasury operations, ensuring sufficient funds are available for operational needs.
Process Improvement: Continuously identify and implement process improvements within the finance function to increase efficiency and data accuracy, leveraging existing ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy or Finance. A professional qualification (ACCA, CPA, ICAEW, or MIA) is highly preferred.
Experience: Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in financial and management accounting, with a strong emphasis on the manufacturing or FMCG sector.
Management: At least 3 years of experience managing a finance team (even a small one) and directly reporting to senior/regional leadership.
Technical Acumen: Proven expertise in cost accounting and product costing is essential. Strong knowledge of IFRS/MFRS. Experience with a major ERP system (e.g., SAP, Oracle) is required.
Soft Skills: Exceptional communication and business partnering skills, capable of translating complex financial concepts to non-finance stakeholders. Must be self-driven, meticulous, and adaptable to an MNC environment.
