Head of Finance in Dunstable

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership of Finance
  • Own full financial control of the P&L across two areas of the business.
  • Lead a small, high‑performing team.
  • Provide clear direction, coaching and prioritisation to ensure consistent, accurate and timely outputs.
• Performance Reporting & Insight
  • Lead period‑end close for all activities, ensuring accuracy, insight and clarity of variances.
  • Deliver high‑quality reporting that explains what's happening, why it's happening, and what actions are required – tailored for Trading, Operations, CFO, the Exec Board and Shareholders.
  • Shape and improve KPI frameworks. These metrics have been highlighted as central to the business strategy.
  • Own and manage external reporting requirements for strategic priority whether that be CMA reporting or ESG/Sustainability support.
• Forecasting, Budgeting & Long‑Term Planning
  • Lead the annual budget, quarterly forecasts and long‑term plan.
  • Partner with Commercial, Trading and Property to build robust volume, margin and throughput assumptions.
  • Challenge inputs rigorously, ensuring assumptions are realistic, transparent and strategically aligned.
• Capital, Investment & Pricing Support
  • Partner with Property, and Commercial teams on investment cases for upgrades, new products, optimisation and infrastructure.
  • Own investment case quality and control, adopting a continuous improvement mindset by translating actuals and insights into improved forecasting.
  • Review and challenge ROI, IRR, payback and risk assessments; provide clear recommendations to senior leadership.
  • Support pricing strategy with timely data, sensitivity analysis and competitor insight.
• Governance, Controls & Compliance
  • Ensure strong financial controls across all activities, aligned with the Group Accounting policy and standards.
  • Maintain integrity of stock, shrinkage, cash and reconciliation processes for sales.
  • Lead on capital spend governance, reporting and insights across all capital initiatives.
  • Support with analysis and recommendations to improve control, including the introduction of Procure to Pay.
  • Support audit processes, strengthen balance sheet governance, and oversee compliance with tax and regulatory requirements.
• Strategic Partnership
  • Act as the trusted finance partner to senior stakeholders.
  • Provide insight to improve site performance, investment decisions, customer conversion and profitability.
  • Play a critical role in Board‑level discussions on future strategy, integrated offers and long‑term planning.

Experience & Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with significant post‑qualification experience at FC or Senior Finance Manager level.
• Strong background in consumer, retail, or multi‑site industries is ideal.
• Demonstrated experience leading end‑to‑end financial control, forecasting and commercial insight.
• Experience managing and developing high‑performing finance teams.

Skills & Behaviours

• Commercially sharp with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insight.
• Strong communicator who can influence senior stakeholders credibly and confidently.
• High level of ownership and resilience – able to manage large datasets, tight deadlines and competing priorities.
• A pragmatic, hands‑on approach, consistent with the company culture: straightforward, collaborative and delivery‑focused.

This role is being offered at a Salary of £85,000 – £95,000 + Car Allowance + Bonus + Benefits.