Finance Manager - Manufacturing in Poole

We are building a brand that represents the people of the world. It’s what you do that counts, and we are always looking to expand perspectives and voices to shape our future. We see you, we celebrate you, we want you!

Diversity matters

We believe our business should put more back into the world than it takes and demonstrate that capitalism can be a force for good. The Living Wage Foundation's statement 'a hard day's work deserves a fair day's pay' is one that we are proud to commit to in the UK. As an accredited Living Wage employer, we put our people first and fight cruel practices like animal testing, promote regeneration, and show that it is what's inside that counts - whether that's an ingredient in a product, or the minerals in a smartphone.

Who we are

You might know us as the inventors of the bath bomb, but there’s more to this great-smelling, partly employee-owned, family-run company than pioneering cosmetics. The role UK based Manufacturing encompasses a vast variety of product ranges, supplying one third of our global retail with fresh, handmade cosmetics produced using top quality ethically sourced ingredients from all over the world.

The Finance Manager is an integral role ensuring finance provides timely & accurate reporting. It will involve taking responsibility for the management of the Manufacturing Finance team, leading the annual audit process & ensuring tight financial controls are applied across the board. The role will need to build strong relationships with many senior managers and stakeholders in the business and provide timely reporting and insight to ensure they have the information needed for effective decision making.

The Finance Manager will manage and develop a team of seven, providing day-to-day leadership and mentoring; 1 Management Accountant, 3 Assistant Accountants and 3 Accounts Payable Assistants. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys partnering with the business and who is passionate about delivering high standards. The role would suit a qualified accountant looking for more responsibility in a thriving business.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial management & reporting: Accountability for the financial ledgers and accounting processes in line with Group policies. Prepare timely and accurate monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements, including insightful commentary to explain variances. Monitor and analyse manufacturing costs, including labour, materials, overheads, and waste. Overseeing monthly margin analysis. Working alongside the Finance Business Partner and operational teams to improve cost efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Responsibility for approving weekly payment runs and monthly sign off on payroll. Facilitate information requests from both financial and non-financial managers. Lead month-end and year-end close processes. Present financial results and insights to senior management.
• Control & compliance: Deliver weekly cash flow forecasting, with oversight of credit control and supplier payment processes. Review of all balance sheet control and reconciliations to ensure the financial integrity of the company's management accounts. Preparation of annual statutory accounts, assisting Group Finance with queries relating to year-end adjustments. Support the annual audit and be the main point of contact for auditors. Liaising with the tax team to ensure correct compliance.
• Systems and Team: Manage, mentor and develop the finance team and take ownership of their training. Lead recruitment activities for the team, including interviewing, selection, and onboarding of replacement staff. Support system upgrades and implementation projects, to streamline the finance process and improve efficiency, accuracy and timeliness.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Qualified Accountant or at final stages of study (CIMA, ACCA, ACA).
• Proven experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and experience with ERP systems.
• Leadership skills and being hands-on and enthusiastic in managing a team.
• Quick to understand the LUSH finance infrastructure including processes and systems but not scared to innovate and look for improvements and efficiency.
• Comfortable with senior stakeholder management.
• Experience with Google Workspace an advantage.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• 6 months of full pay for parental leave (primary caregiver must qualify for SMP)
• Enhanced paternity leave*
• Bonus scheme
• Day off for weekday birthdays
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 50% discount on Lush products and spa treatments
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted rail and bus season tickets
• Employee assistance programme
• We’re 10% Employee Owned - all colleagues play a role in protecting our ethics, our independence, contributing ideas for the future and share in the rewards of success when the company is doing well.
• Support groups, film nights, yoga, meditation sessions and much more

*Tailored gender affirming care *qualifying period/hours required