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Head of Finance - Specialty Foods

North London Permanent £60,000 - £95,000 per year View Job Description
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.
  • Broad role with full ownership of finance!
  • Support growth to a future sale!

About Our Client

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.

Job 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.



The Successful Applicant

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.



What's on 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!

Contact
Isabelle Hansen
Quote job ref
JN-022026-6957674
Phone number
+442072691731

Job summary

Job function
Accounting
Subsector
Financial Controller
Sector
FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods)
Location
North London
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
Isabelle Hansen
Consultant phone
+442072691731
Job reference
JN-022026-6957674