Interim Finance Manager in Maidstone

£65,000 - £75,000 | 18 Month Contract (Initally starting 5 days a week, reducing to 2 days from March 2027 | Maidstone, Kent

More People are working with a well established business within the fresh produce sector to recruit an experienced Interim Finance Manager.

This is a broad, senior role combining financial leadership with responsibility for HR and administration.

Reporting to the Managing & Sales Director, you will take ownership of the finance function, provide commercial insight to the senior leadership team and Board, and lead a small finance and administration team.

The business is also going through a period of significant transition, so the role will play an important part in ensuring strong financial control, business continuity and effective planning through this period.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day finance, HR and administration functions.
• Manage and develop a small team of Finance & Administration Assistants.
• Prepare and present monthly and quarterly management accounts, forecasts and Board reporting.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management and working capital analysis.
• Provide commercial analysis and financial advice to the Managing & Sales Director and Board.
• Oversee statutory accounts, audit, VAT, tax coordination and regulatory reporting.
• Manage banking relationships, payment processes and treasury requirements.
• Oversee monthly payroll, pensions, benefits and associated compliance.
• Manage the company's insurance and risk requirements.
• Support the Audit Committee and Board with financial reporting and governance.
• Oversee grower payments, account sales, reconciliations and related finance processes.
• Lead HR administration, including employee records, contracts, absence, recruitment and employee relations.
• Work with external HR, employment and professional advisers as required.
• Support the financial and people related requirements of the business through its transition and closure process.

What we're looking For

We are looking for a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)with strong financial management experience and a hands‑on approach.

You will have

• Significant management accounting and statutory reporting experience.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and cashflow skills.
• Experience managing a finance team.
• Strong audit, governance and compliance experience.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with Sage or a similar accounting system.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to work independently, prioritise effectively and operate confidently with senior stakeholders.
• Experience overseeing HR administration and employee records.

Experience within fresh produce, agriculture, horticulture or a grower based business would be advantageous, as would experience of Board/Audit Committee reporting, complex grower payments or working within a restructuring, transition or closure environment.

The Role

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced interim finance professional to take a genuinely broad role within an established fresh produce business, combining financial leadership, commercial support, HR oversight and change management.

If you are a qualified accountant who enjoys being hands on, can operate comfortably at Board level and is looking for an interim assignment where you can make a meaningful impact, we would be keen to hear from you.

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