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- Tasks: Lead finance for a dynamic food manufacturing business, driving performance and supporting growth.
- Company: A leading food manufacturing company with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and exposure to private equity transactions.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact in a high-profile role while shaping financial strategies.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in operational and commercial finance, preferably in manufacturing.
- Other info: Join a collaborative leadership team and develop your career towards a Finance Director role.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
A leading food manufacturing business is recruiting a Head of Finance to take full responsibility for its wholesale and production divisions. This is a high-profile, broad hands-on leadership role reporting directly to the Group CFO and the Divisional Managing Director. You will play a pivotal role in driving performance and supporting growth across a dynamic and complex division. As part of the Leadership Team, you will have a tangible impact across all areas of the business. This role also offers exposure to the PE ownership structure and future transaction.
You will lead a small team covering Commercial Finance, Financial Accounting, and Business Information. Working closely with divisional and group finance teams, you will ensure processes, reporting, and KPIs are fit for purpose, while continuously improving the quality, insight, and impact of financial information. Acting as a Finance Business Partner, you will support and challenge the Operations Director and Commercial Director, helping to shape decision-making, improve efficiency, and drive profitability.
This is a hands-on, strategic role where you will combine financial rigour with commercial insight and an operational mindset to influence performance and drive sustainable growth.
Key responsibilities:- Full ownership of reporting, forecasting, and budgeting processes, ensuring clarity and actionable insight.
- Develop and implement new KPIs to improve performance visibility and decision-making.
- Partner with operations and commercial colleagues on decisions around products, wastage, labour efficiency, and contracts.
- Lead business case management for capital investments and new customer acquisition.
- Drive process improvements and efficiency across reporting and finance operations.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a small team.
We are looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA) with strong experience in operational and commercial finance, ideally gained in manufacturing, supply chain, food production, or FMCG. You will have a proven ability to partner with production and operations and senior leadership in a fast-paced, complex environment. You will be naturally curious, resilient, and commercially minded, confident in challenging and supporting non-financial colleagues. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable on the factory floor and in the boardroom, bringing robust analysis, strong leadership, and commercial acumen to drive performance. Advanced Excel skills and an interest in BI tools (such as Power BI) would be advantageous.
If you are a finance leader with the drive to combine financial rigour with operational impact — and the ambition to progress towards an FD role — we would like to hear from you.
Head of Finance in London employer: Baker Charles
Contact Detail:
Baker Charles Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and food manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to key players. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s financial performance and recent news. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in driving performance and efficiency. Show them you’re not just a numbers person but a strategic partner!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your leadership style and how you’ve successfully led teams in the past. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to influence decision-making and drive profitability.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s get you that Head of Finance role!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in operational and commercial finance, especially in manufacturing or food production. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Head of Finance role. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance and supported growth in previous positions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a small team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've mentored others and improved team performance in your past roles. We love seeing strong leaders!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Baker Charles
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the food manufacturing industry, such as cost of goods sold, gross margin, and operational efficiency ratios. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive performance in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role involves leading a small team, so be prepared to talk about your leadership approach. Share specific examples of how you've mentored team members or improved team dynamics. Highlight your ability to influence and collaborate with non-financial colleagues, as this will be crucial in your new position.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Think about challenges you've faced in finance, particularly in manufacturing or FMCG, and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Curiosity
Being naturally curious is a key trait for this role. Prepare to discuss how you stay updated on industry trends and how you've applied insights from your research to improve financial processes. Show that you're not just about numbers; you understand the broader business context and are eager to learn more.
