Controlling Finance Manager in Wantage

This is an exciting time to join our European Shared Service Centre (SSC) in Wantage as we evolve from a first‑generation finance operation into a mature, standardised and value‑driven service. As Controlling Finance Manager, you will lead the transformation of our Record to Report (R2R) function—shifting from a fragmented, transactional model to a unified, high‑quality controlling and reporting service that supports our European entities and manufacturing plants. You will be responsible for the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, establishing best‑practice processes in a SOX‑controlled environment, and acting as a key link between the SSC, local finance teams and Group functions. This role offers the opportunity to elevate our controlling capability, drive automation and continuous improvement across SAP S/4HANA and OneStream and build a truly standardised service that anticipates and meets business needs.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

• Leadership and people management: Provide strategic leadership to the R2R organisation, setting clear direction, expectations and accountability aligned to Group reporting requirements and European Shared Service objectives. Build, coach and develop a high‑performing R2R and controlling team, ensuring structured performance management, talent development and succession planning, transitioning roles from basic accounting execution to true financial control, analysis and stewardship. Drive a move from a combination of general ledger team and traditional controlling teams towards a combined, standardised portfolio of work that reflects the needs of operating finance teams and anticipates the output of the SSC team through an operations lens. Establish a strong performance culture with clear objectives, KPIs, service levels and escalation paths covering close, reporting quality, compliance and stakeholder satisfaction. Lead the function through change, embedding new ways of working, standard roles, documented processes and a service‑oriented mindset. Act as the senior escalation point for complex accounting, reporting and control issues, ensuring timely resolution and prevention of recurrence.
• Financial close, reporting and controlling: Own and deliver the end‑to‑end month‑end, quarter‑end and year‑end close process across EMEA entities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and predictability. Coordination of forecast preparation, analysis, preparation of monthly reporting/analysis pack and working with operations and finance management to drive the periodic re‑forecasting process. Ensure the production of high‑quality management accounts and financial analysis that support operational and commercial decision‑making. Transition the controlling community from transactional processing to value‑adding analysis, insight and performance commentary. Ensure balance sheet integrity through robust reconciliations, reviews and governance, driving a “clean balance sheet” mindset. Establish clear ownership of journals, accruals, provisions and estimates, supported by consistent documentation and review standards.
• Statutory accounts, tax and external reporting: Lead the preparation and coordination of statutory financial statements for in‑scope UK and European entities in compliance with local GAAP and Group requirements. Act as the primary SSC contact for external auditors, managing audit planning, execution, issue resolution and remediation. Support Group Tax and local tax advisors in the preparation and submission of tax returns, statutory filings and regulatory reporting. Ensure alignment between management reporting, statutory reporting and tax data, reducing rework and reconciliation effort.
• Controls, compliance and governance: Ensure full compliance with Sarbanes‑Oakley requirements, internal control frameworks and Group accounting policies across all R2R activities. Own R2R‑related controls, including documentation, testing support, remediation and continuous strengthening of the control environment. Drive audit readiness as a continuous state rather than a periodic activity. Establish and enforce clear governance over accounting judgements, estimates and policy interpretations across multiple reporting lines.
• Process excellence and continuous improvement: Design, document and implement standardised end‑to‑end R2R processes across EMEA, replacing local variation with clear global standards. Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce close cycle time, improve first‑time‑right reporting and enhance transparency. Champion the use of technology, automation and data to drive efficiency, quality and scalability in reporting processes. Identify and deliver tangible benefits from system optimisation, automation and process simplification. Develop and maintain KPI dashboards covering close performance, quality, compliance and service delivery.
• Systems, data and transformation: Act as the R2R business owner for SAP S/4HANA, OneStream and related reporting and consolidation tools. Drive improved use of systems to reduce manual processing, increase automation and improve data quality. Partner with IT, Finance Transformation and Group Finance on system enhancements and reporting roadmap initiatives. Ensure master data, chart of accounts and reporting structures support efficient, consistent reporting across the region.
• Stakeholder management and business partnering: Build strong, credible relationships with local finance teams, plant leadership, Group Finance, Tax and Treasury. Influence senior stakeholders across a complex matrix organisation, balancing local requirements with Group standards. Translate complex accounting and reporting topics into clear, practical actions for operational and finance teams. Act as an advocate for the Shared Service Centre, reinforcing its role as a value‑adding partner rather than a transaction factory.

Essential qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Desirable qualifications

• Degree level qualifications in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration

Essential skills and experience

• Significant senior experience leading Record to Report / Financial Reporting in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience working in a complex, multi‑entity, multi‑currency listed corporate environment.
• Proven experience within a Shared Service Centre or similar centralised finance model.
• Strong background in management accounting, statutory reporting and balance sheet governance.
• Experience operating across multiple legal entities, countries and reporting lines.
• Deep understanding of best‑practice R2R and controlling models.
• Strong knowledge of SAP S/4HANA, OneStream or similar ERP and consolidation platforms.
• Ability to draw clear conclusions from complex commercial and accounting issues and translate them into actionable plans and solutions that anticipate operational needs.
• Excellent influencing skills across peer groups and senior leadership.
• Strong problem‑solving and issue‑resolution capability.
• Proven ability to deliver measurable performance and quality improvements.
• Fluent English.

Desirable skills and experience

• A career arc that shows experience in a controller role supporting operations and a transition into a larger, multi‑site, multi‑currency controller role.
• Prior exposure to commercial finance – factoring, supply chain financing, lease finance.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations and tolling models.
• Experience working in a US‑listed, SOX‑controlled environment.
• Exposure to European statutory and tax environments.
• Experience implementing automation, workflow or reporting enhancements.
• Exposure to finance transformation programmes.
• Additional European language.

Essential personal attributes

• Energetic, resilient and credible leader with a strong delivery mindset.
• Comfortable operating in environments with legacy practices and driving cultural change.
• Detail‑focused while able to maintain a strategic, end‑to‑end perspective.
• Strong coaching orientation, with a track record of developing finance talent.
• Service‑oriented, with a clear commitment to quality, transparency and accountability.

Desirable personal attributes

• Ambition to progress within a growing European Shared Service and Group Finance environment.