Overview
Derek's is a growing independent sandwich brand, with multiple locations across Merseyside. We pride ourselves on great food, friendly service, family culture and a strong local reputation. As we expand and prepare for our next phase of growth, we need a finance professional to keep our numbers to the highest standards.
Role: Finance professional reporting to the Finance Director, delivering accurate, weekly financial information and maintaining robust financial controls across the business.
Responsibilities
- Produce clear weekly trading reports for all shops, covering sales, gross margin, labour costs and cash position.
- Track variances against weekly budgets/targets and highlight issues for rapid action.
- Provide concise insight to help store managers optimise performance in real time.
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Assist with rolling weekly forecasts and a flexible annual budget that adjusts to trading patterns.
- Work with store managers to refine short-term cost and revenue projections.
Controls & Compliance
- Perform weekly bank and till reconciliations, ensuring all takings match POS records.
- Maintain accurate general ledger entries and support VAT, PAYE/NIC and other HMRC requirements on schedule.
- Prepare information for external accountants and auditors as needed.
Operational Support
- Oversee daily till reconciliations and cash-handling procedures across all outlets.
- Implement simple dashboards so managers can view live KPIs such as sales trends and labour percentage.
- Recommend and introduce process improvements for stock control, waste tracking and supplier payments.
Team & Systems
- New role reporting to directors, requiring initiative and proactivity. Opportunity for role development and to build your team, depending on performance.
- Maintain and enhance our accounting software (e.g., Xero/QuickBooks) and its integration with the POS system.
Skills & Experience
- Part-qualified or newly qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or solid experience in a similar hands-on finance role.
- Strong Excel skills and familiarity with cloud accounting packages.
- Sound knowledge of UK VAT, payroll basics. Multi-site retail/hospitality operations knowledge is a bonus.
- Exceptional attention to detail and ability to meet tight weekly deadlines.
- Clear communicator who can explain numbers to non-finance colleagues.
Personal Qualities
- Commercially minded and curious about our operations on a day-to-day basis.
- Comfortable working in a fast-moving, small-business environment.
- Proactive self-starter with a willingness to “roll up sleeves”.
- Hard-working and approachable, with a willingness to listen and learn from colleagues at all levels.
Salary & Benefits
- Competitive salary, depending on experience.
- Staff discount in all Derek’s stores.
- Opportunity to grow with an expanding local brand.
- Access to FREE mental health support lines and counselling.
- Array of discounts at selected brands and outlets.
