At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, improve performance, and drive strategic decision-making.
- Company: Waltons, a leading UK manufacturer of garden buildings since 1878.
- Benefits: Opportunity for growth, competitive salary, and a chance to shape the future of finance.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact on financial strategy.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming a historic company during an exciting growth phase.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong manufacturing finance experience and commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
About us
Waltons has designed and built garden buildings in Britain since 1878. We are one of the UK's largest manufacturers in our sector, making sheds, summerhouses, log cabins and garden rooms. We have recently expanded into Climbing Frames, Wellness and Outdoor Living, all from our site in Newark. We sell directly to consumers and through Trade Partners. Manufacturing, logistics and installation are all managed in-house, giving us a vertically integrated operating model and significant scope to improve performance as we scale. Following our acquisition by new private ownership in 2025 and a change in leadership in 2026, Waltons Group is entering a significant period of transformation and growth. This year we will deliver >30% YoY growth, with a clear value creation plan already underway.
The opportunity
Our first phase of growth has gone well. The next phase is about quality of earnings: converting that growth into sustainable EBITDA, stronger cash generation and increased enterprise value. We are looking for a commercially minded finance leader to help make that happen. This is not a reporting-led finance role. Reporting directly to the MD, you will act as the principal financial and commercial adviser to the business, working closely with the leadership team to improve performance across pricing, product, manufacturing, procurement, inventory, investment and growth. You will be expected to challenge decisions, identify opportunities and turn financial insight into action.
The role
- Cash & working capital: Establish a robust rolling 13-week cash forecast and embed discipline across inventory, purchasing, receivables and supplier payments.
- Manufacturing finance: Develop a best-in-class manufacturing reporting environment, providing clear visibility of product costs, production performance, labour, material usage, efficiency, inventory and profitability to support operational decision-making.
- Margin & profitability: Build reliable product, channel and customer profitability using standard costing, and use this to drive pricing, mix, efficiency and cost-out decisions.
- Real-time reporting & AI: Bring real-time financial and operational reporting to life through ERP, BI and automation. Identify and implement practical AI opportunities to improve visibility, automate processes and support faster, better decision-making across the business.
- Business partnering: Act as a true business partner to the MD and leadership team, using financial insight to challenge assumptions, identify opportunities and support commercial and operational decisions.
- Value creation: Develop a KPI framework linked directly to our value creation plan, with clear ownership and accountability across the leadership team.
- Capital allocation: Bring greater discipline to capex, technology and growth investment through robust business cases and post-investment reviews.
- Control & governance: Own management accounts, statutory accounts, audit, VAT, payroll and tax compliance, while strengthening financial controls.
- Finance transformation: Lead finance through our ERP and BI programme, improving data integrity, automation, reporting and the month-end close.
- Leadership: Build and lead a high-performing finance team, developing capability, accountability and commercial focus as the business scales.
You will be expected to operate comfortably between strategic discussions with the MD and detailed operational finance on the factory floor.
About you
You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with substantial post-qualification experience, ideally gained within a manufacturing or other operationally complex environment. You will bring:
- Strong manufacturing finance experience, including standard costing, inventory, product profitability and operational performance.
- Proven experience working with ERP systems and BI/reporting platforms.
- A track record of delivering measurable commercial impact through margin improvement, cash release, cost reduction or better capital allocation.
- The ability to build and lead a high-performing finance function.
- Strong commercial judgement and the confidence to challenge senior stakeholders.
- Experience of using data, automation and technology to improve finance processes and decision-making.
- Experience in PE-backed, investor-owned, entrepreneurial or transaction environments.
- Strong technical accounting, controls and statutory reporting capability.
- A hands-on approach and the ability to operate at both strategic and detailed levels.
We are less interested in the number of years on your CV than in what you have actually changed and improved. You will be someone who wants to understand how the business makes money, where it loses money and what we can do about it. The opportunity to grow & develop. As Waltons continues to scale, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to take increasing ownership of Group finance, strategic decision-making and the broader financial agenda.
Head of Finance employer: Mercia Garden Products LTd
Waltons is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and growth are at the forefront. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to fostering a collaborative culture, team members are empowered to make impactful decisions that drive the company's success. Located in Newark, employees benefit from being part of a transformative journey within a well-established company, with ample opportunities for career advancement as we scale our operations and enhance our financial strategies.
Contact Details:
Mercia Garden Products LTd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Mercia Garden Products LTd
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
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