At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and optimise finance operations for a growing soap manufacturer.
- Company: Join the UK's largest bar soap manufacturer with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, pension, and income protection benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a sustainable brand while driving financial excellence.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA with experience in fast-paced environments.
The Bar is Back - and we need your financial leadership, commercial insight, and drive for operational excellence to help us scale from 20 million to 70 million bars a year. At Soapworks, we create high-quality, sustainable soap products for global brands - and as we enter an exciting phase of rapid growth, we’re looking for an experienced, hands-on Financial Controller to lead our finance function and support strategic decision-making.
From driving robust financial controls and delivering accurate, timely reporting to supporting investment decisions and shaping long-term financial strategy, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring our commercial success as we scale - safeguarding profitability, managing risk, and enabling sustainable growth. At Soapworks, we do more than produce soap - we also manufacture a variety of personal care products, including hair and body cleansers and aromatic oils. As a key member of our leadership team, you’ll help shape the future of our business, working alongside a passionate and innovative workforce committed to quality, sustainability, and innovation.
The Role at a Glance:
- Location: Glasgow / Remote Working Fridays
- Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 per annum DOE + 33 days holiday, rising with service
- Full Time - Permanent
- Hours of Work (37.5hrs per week): 8am - 4.30pm (Mon-Thurs), 8am - 3pm (Fri - working from home)
- Reporting to: Managing Director
- Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Trusted
- Company: UK’s Largest Bar Soap Manufacturer with a global customer base
Your Background / Skills:
- Fully Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA plus solid practical experience in a fast-paced environment ideally within a manufacturing environment.
- Leading and developing a finance team.
- Experience working with BI tools.
- Food, Manufacturing, Personal care.
- Ideally exposure to contract manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities:
- Advise on financial strategy to support company objectives.
- Lead, motivate, and develop the finance team to ensure high performance.
- Provide financial guidance to managers and staff to help achieve targets.
- Manage cash flow, working capital, and treasury functions.
- Prepare annual budgets, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow.
- Present financial reports to the Board and participate in monthly meetings.
- Oversee Group Reporting, including monthly sales and P&L reports.
- Deliver financial updates at fortnightly KPI meetings.
- Produce monthly management accounts and Finance Board reports.
- Coordinate year-end reporting and external audits.
- Manage operational performance reviews and P&L reforecasts.
- Prepare monthly 13-week cash flow forecasts.
- Authorise and ensure accuracy of supplier payments.
- Review product costings with BDM for new business opportunities.
- Analyse profitability by customer and product type.
- Develop Capex business cases and payback analysis with senior management.
- Liaise with auditors to ensure accurate statutory reporting.
- Maintain relationships with banking partners and supply management accounts.
Education/Qualifications:
- Fully ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified along with practical experience in a fast-paced environment ideally within a manufacturing environment.
- Educated to degree level.
Experience/Skills/Knowledge:
- Demonstrable experience of leading and developing a finance team.
- Working in a multiple margin control and strict cash-flow management business.
- Excellent attention to detail to ensure accuracy in financial reports and compliance documentation.
- Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to address financial discrepancies and operational inefficiencies.
- Knowledge of working with BI tools to drive financial improvements.
- Proficient in MS Office.
- Knowledge of integrating new ERP system such as MS Dynamics / Business Central or equivalent would be preferable.
Aptitudes/Attributes:
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to provide financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
- Strong analytical skills and capable of breaking down complex financial issues and identifying patterns, risks and opportunities.
- Good time management skill with the ability to work under pressure.
- An excellent team player who can work alongside other members of the executive team to deliver the strategic plan of the business.
Other Job Requirements:
- May need to be able to travel.
What’s on Offer:
- Competitive Market Salary.
- 4-weekly pay cycle.
- 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays rising with service.
- Pension.
- Death in Service benefit of 3x basic salary.
- Income Protection Benefit after 1 year in role.
- Access to EAP, GP & Physio services.
Sounds like a good fit? Apply here for a fast-track path to our Leadership Team.
Financial Controller - Leading Soap FMCG Manufacturer in Edinburgh employer: RecruitmentRevolution.com
At Soapworks, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions sustainability and innovation. As a Financial Controller, you'll not only lead a dynamic finance team but also play a pivotal role in our ambitious growth journey, supported by a comprehensive benefits package including generous holiday entitlement and professional development opportunities. Located in Glasgow with the flexibility of remote working on Fridays, we foster a collaborative environment where your contributions directly impact our mission to create high-quality, eco-friendly products.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller - Leading Soap FMCG Manufacturer in Edinburgh
✨Tap into Campus Networks
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✨Get Certified
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
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Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like RecruitmentRevolution.com. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller - Leading Soap FMCG Manufacturer in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to RecruitmentRevolution.com.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on RecruitmentRevolution.com's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at RecruitmentRevolution.com
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with RecruitmentRevolution.com.
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✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at RecruitmentRevolution.com will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former RecruitmentRevolution.com employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
