At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance team, manage accounts, and drive strategic growth initiatives.
- Company: Join Budgen Motors, a family-run automotive business with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, bonus, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Opportunity for progression to Finance Director as the business grows.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting growth journey in a well-established company.
- Qualifications: Experienced finance leader with strong Excel skills; automotive experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
Seymour John has been exclusively retained to recruit a Head of Finance for Budgen Motors. Budgen Motors is a long-established, family-run automotive retail and aftersales business operating across Shrewsbury and Telford. Representing a strong portfolio of brands including Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, MG, Dacia and used cars and vans, the business has built an excellent reputation for customer service, community involvement and manufacturer performance. This is an important appointment at an exciting stage in Budgen’s development. The business is pursuing significant growth opportunities, including the launch of additional Stellantis brands from a new Shrewsbury site this September, expansion in the regional business fleet market, continued development of its aftersales operation, and the adoption of automation and AI-led systems improvements.
Whilst current turnover is just north of £80m, 2027 will see the business drive sales to considerably over the £100m mark.
The Role
Reporting to the Managing Director, the Head of Finance will lead the finance and vehicle administration function, managing a team of seven and ensuring the business has timely, accurate and commercially useful financial information. This is a hands-on senior finance role, suited to someone who is comfortable operating close to the detail while also influencing strategic and operational decision-making. The successful candidate will take ownership of management accounts, financial controls, budgets, forecasts, cash forecasting, banking relationships, stock finance, insurance matters and transactional integrity across a high-volume automotive environment. Just as importantly, they will work closely with operational teams to improve performance, strengthen processes, support profitable growth and help the business make better use of data, systems and automation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, support and develop the finance and vehicle administration team.
- Produce timely, accurate and insightful management accounts and reporting.
- Maintain strong financial control across transactions, costs, manufacturer debt, warranty debt and stock-related processes.
- Prepare budgets, forecasts and short-term cash forecasts.
- Build effective relationships with sales, aftersales and operational teams to improve communication, process efficiency and commercial outcomes.
- Support performance improvement across areas such as parts margin, used car margin, aftersales productivity and customer retention.
- Lead or support finance transformation, automation and systems improvement projects.
- Provide financial insight into growth opportunities, including new brands, fleet development and possible acquisition opportunities.
About You
You will be an experienced finance leader who enjoys being close to the business, not just reporting the numbers. You will be comfortable managing the fundamentals of a well-run finance function while also challenging, influencing and improving how the business operates. Automotive retail experience would be highly relevant, although candidates from other high-volume, operationally complex environments may also be considered. Strong Excel and Microsoft 365 skills are expected, while experience with Power BI, SQL, automation tools or dealer management systems would be advantageous.
Why Join Budgen Motors?
This is a genuine opportunity to join a well-established, community-focused business with strong brand relationships, ambitious growth plans and a clear appetite for improvement. For the right person, there is progression available towards Finance Director, once the core finance function is operating at the right level and the role is adding broader commercial value to the business.
Package
Base salary: £70,000–£90,000 depending on experience and proven impact. Company car available. Modest bonus linked to agreed deliverables. Full family private BUPA healthcare. Standard pension contribution.
How to Apply
Seymour John is acting as sole agent for Budgen Motors on this appointment. For a confidential discussion, please contact Lee Walker, on 07808 021924 or email lee@seymourjohn.com.
Head of Finance in Shrewsbury employer: Budgen Motors
Budgen Motors is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Shrewsbury where community involvement and customer service are at the heart of its operations. With ambitious growth plans and a commitment to employee development, including progression opportunities towards Finance Director, the company fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for finance professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the automotive industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Shrewsbury
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Budgen Motors. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Shrewsbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Budgen Motors.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Budgen Motors's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Budgen Motors
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Budgen Motors.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Budgen Motors will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Budgen Motors employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
