At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance for operations, driving efficiency and profitability in manufacturing and logistics.
- Company: Join Butternut, a passionate team dedicated to delivering health and happiness to dogs.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, personal development budget, and discounted gym memberships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while working with a team that loves dogs.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in operational finance, strong problem-solving skills, and a love for dogs.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with adorable office dogs and opportunities for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
We’re looking for a Head of Finance – Operations to join our squad at a truly exciting time in our growth journey. With expansion into new markets, a big increase in our in-house manufacturing & fulfilment footprint, and greater operational complexity, this role will sit at the heart of how we scale efficiently and sustainably.
You will be the finance lead and strategic partner for our Operations organisation, covering manufacturing, warehouse, logistics, supply chain, and order fulfilment. This is a role for someone who thrives in fast-paced, asset-heavy environments and wants to make a tangible impact on cost, efficiency, and operational performance.
You will partner with the Group Operations leadership team and their respective site teams to help make balanced financial decisions and identify opportunities. You will oversee the on-site Management Accounting teams who are responsible for local reporting, analysis and control. Your remit will span costing, reporting, financial control, budgeting, forecasting, investment appraisal, risk mitigation and operational performance improvement.
This role reports into our CFO, while working extremely closely with our COO and Operational Leadership teams. There will be a clear development plan to support your progression toward Operations Finance Director.
A bit more detail:
- Be the financial owner of Operations: Lead all financial management across Manufacturing, Warehouse, Fulfilment and Logistics (including UK, Poland facility and 3PL interactions). Own operational P&L lines (COGs, labour, utilities, waste, packaging, logistics, overheads) and drive clarity on performance and variances.
- Drive robust financial control and reporting: Be accountable for accurate, timely and impactful operational reporting, cost centre reviews, and period end close for Ops. Maintain strong financial controls across end to end operational processes to ensure robust foundations which enable scalable growth.
- Partner deeply with operational leaders: Work hand-in-hand with Operations Leadership to translate performance into actionable insights. Lead conversations that highlight key deviations from budget across labour efficiency, throughput, waste, scrap, and logistics costs - both proactively and retrospectively. Own the budget & rolling forecast inputs - acting as the bridge between the Operations Leadership team, key budget owners and the FP&A team.
- Enhance profitability & efficiency: Manage key initiatives across labour optimisation, OEE uplift projects, production efficiency, procurement & materials usage, waste reduction, and utility ratio improvements. Deliver working capital improvements through stock optimisation, SKU efficiency and smarter replenishment.
- Support capital investment and expansion: Provide financial evaluation of capex for new equipment, production lines, automation, storage, and fulfilment upgrades (pre- and post- investment). Play a key role in developing the economics of new operational sites, international expansion, and network design.
- Be a systems, data & process leader: Own the Ops Finance change roadmap – including ERP improvements (e.g. SAP B1), automation opportunities, costing system enhancements and more accurate operational data capture. Champion AI-led and digital automation for Ops Finance processes.
- Ensure we stay ahead of risk: Identify and mitigate operational risks (supply chain, production, labour, asset utilisation, capacity constraints). Support scenario modelling for demand spikes, network disruption and international fulfilment strategy.
A bit about you:
- 6+ years post-qualified CIMA/ACCA/ACA/equivalent experience, ideally gained in an operational setting.
- Strong background in operations finance, manufacturing finance, cost accounting or supply chain finance.
- Experience working in an FMCG, manufacturing, or food production business.
- Deep understanding of OEE, standard costing, variance analysis, yield & waste, labour and overhead absorption, stock valuation & inventory control, manufacturing KPIs and operational performance metrics.
- Experience working closely with operational teams on the ground — not afraid to “go to the line” to understand the drivers behind the numbers.
- Demonstrated ability to act as the finance lead and strategic partner to non-financial operational departments. Must be able to influence decisions to achieve cost and efficiency targets.
- Strong problem-solver, able to adapt quickly and thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
- Experience leading and developing a team, ideally across site/office locations.
- Excellent communicator and storyteller, including an ability to explain operational finance concepts to non-finance teams.
- Highly solution-orientated with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Proven capability to horizon-scan and identify efficiency opportunities before they arise.
- Experience with SAP/SAP B1 is very beneficial, likewise involvement in ERP upgrade projects.
- A love for dogs (naturally) and our Butternut values resonate strongly with you.
Note: This role typically works from our UK manufacturing site, with travel required to London and Poland.
At Butternut, the mission is to deliver health and happiness to dogs and their humans all over the world. In order to do just that, we need a team of forward-thinking, driven people who love dogs as much as we do.
What’s In It For You?
- Enjoy 257.5 hours of holiday per year (equivalent to 33 days holiday).
- Plus an extra day for each year of service (up to 5 days).
- 39 hours of pre-booked paws days to support good wellbeing and self care (equivalent to 5 days).
- Unlock a ÂŁ500 annual budget for personal learning and development.
- Enhanced parental leave.
- Get discounted Private Medical Insurance with Vitality Healthcare.
- Discounted Gym membership with “MyGymDiscounts” helping you stay fit and healthy.
- Satisfy your taste buds with subsidised food from a variety of street food vans, and of course, pay day pizza!
- Treat your furry friend with an employee discount on Butternut Box.
- Say goodbye to parking woes with free parking and electric car charging.
- Team socials & events.
- Prepare for adorable office dog overload—meet Cleo, Otto, Cali, Ronnie, Harvey, Ralph, and many more!
A few things to note:
- There is no closing date for this role. However, we normally experience a high volume of applications so if you are interested we suggest applying as soon as possible.
- We aim to respond to all applicants personally. Our recruitment team is small so do bear with us.
- Butternut Box is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity and inclusion. We welcome people of different nationalities, backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives.
- We are not looking for external agency support with this role.
Head of Finance in Nottingham employer: Butternut Box | B Corp
Contact Detail:
Butternut Box | B Corp Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and operations sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their financial challenges and think about how you can contribute to their growth. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs—this will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled financial challenges in past roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and keep them engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Butternut. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Dogs: We love dogs, and so should you! Make sure to sprinkle in your passion for our furry friends throughout your application. It’ll show us that you resonate with our mission at Butternut.
Tailor Your Experience: When you’re writing your application, highlight your experience in operations finance and how it relates to the role. We want to see how your background can help us scale efficiently and sustainably.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Butternut Box | B Corp
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on key performance indicators relevant to operations finance, such as OEE and standard costing. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive efficiency in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Partnership Skills
This role requires collaboration with operational leaders. Prepare examples of how you've influenced non-financial teams to make balanced financial decisions. Highlight your ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights that drive operational performance.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Modelling
Expect questions about risk mitigation and scenario modelling. Think of specific instances where you’ve successfully navigated demand spikes or supply chain disruptions. Show them you can foresee potential challenges and have strategies in place to tackle them.
✨Demonstrate Your Continuous Improvement Mindset
The company values a solution-oriented approach. Prepare to discuss initiatives you've led that enhanced profitability and efficiency. Whether it’s through waste reduction or stock optimisation, be ready to share tangible results from your efforts.