CFO

Job Description:

This is an opportunity for a motivated CFO to join a rapidly growing small business (£12M) to help guide them to the next level. The Chief Financial Officer will be a business partner of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will contribute significantly to the overall development and growth of the business.

There are specific short and medium term objectives which take precedence:
o Ensuring that accounting and financial control processes and methodologies are in place that provide reliable information that the business’ needs.
o To provide rigorous financial analysis that helps to drive commercial value across the organisation.
o Legal and Taxation controls are in place (relevant knowledge and experience required).
o Treasury - particularly cash management.
o M&A and other commercial activities in line with the business plan.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities
· Deliver the annual budget and long-term planning for internal and external shareholders (banks, Investors).
· Ensure all the banking and shareholder covenants (both financial and conduct) are actively managed and adhered to.
· Responsible for all banking relationships.
· Responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal and statutory regulations.
· Develop strong working relationships with the CEO, Board / Investors and operational management.
· Promote strategic insight and support to the CEO in making decisions for the company.
· Ensure high-quality financial management and analysis capability, co-ordinating the company’s annual and longer-term planning, forecasting and review processes.
· Establish the Company’s financial and management reporting, ensuring that monthly reporting is such that the CEO and Board can use it to drive optimal business decisions.
· Ensure that monthly management information reported to the Board is focused on key priorities and supports decision-making.
· Ensure the Company maintains an optimal tax structure to minimize the Company’s tax charge through effective and co-ordinated tax planning and implementation and the right structures are in place to deliver corporate strategy
· Help the Company expand further into other geographic regions via acquisitions. The CFO will be expected to contribute to pre-deal due diligence post acquisition integration.
· Ensure the Company’s statutory financial results are produced on time and in accordance with accounting standards.
· Resource the finance function appropriately for the size and complexity of the business.
· Implement and integrate appropriate systems in collaboration with operational and technical teams.
· Provide strong leadership and people development skills to the Finance team. Take overall responsibility for the quality and effectiveness of the Finance function.
· Contribute to the direction of the business beyond the immediate confines of the CFO role. In particular, assess the financial implications of business initiatives.

Experience
· Qualified accountant.
· Experience as a Finance Director of a complex manufacturing business with full control over the entire finance function and a track record of delivering the above key requirements of the role. The successful candidate must possess a first-class background in accounting/financial control.
· Experience of managing the successful disposal/refinancing/sale of businesses.
· Significant post qualification experience.
· Experience of working within the Food sector would be an advantage.
· Familiarity with food revenue generation practices is desirable.
· Direct experience of developing and growing businesses both organically and by acquisition.
· Experience of M&A post acquisition integration.
Charlotte James Associates is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.