Head Of Operational Finance

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for you to step into a pivotal leadership position at the heart of a renowned food business, where your expertise will shape the future of financial operations. You will be entrusted with end-to-end responsibility for critical financial lifecycles, leading high-impact teams and driving transformation across Commercial Credit, Receivables, Risk, Governance, and Accounts Payable. This role offers you the chance to influence strategy at the highest level, modernise processes through automation and best-in-class service, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

As Head of Operational Finance based in Manchester with hybrid working opportunities, you will play an instrumental role in shaping the future-ready Financial Operations function. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve setting strategic direction for operational finance activities while ensuring alignment with the organisation's vision for excellence. You will lead multidisciplinary teams through periods of significant change, modernising processes via automation initiatives and digital solutions, while maintaining rigorous control frameworks that guarantee audit readiness.

Specific duties include:

• Define and deliver a comprehensive Financial Operations strategy that aligns with the organisation's ambition to become a Centre of Excellence within its sector.
• Modernise financial operations by introducing best-in-class services, robust controls, automation technologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement throughout all operational areas.
• Act as a senior subject matter expert (SME), influencing group finance strategies related to lifecycle performance management, risk mitigation, governance frameworks and cash discipline.
• Lead the end-to-end Financial Operations function by embedding enhanced control frameworks that ensure audit readiness and effective risk management across all activities.
• Develop and nurture a diverse multidisciplinary leadership team by building deep SME capability across Accounts Payable (AP), Order to Cash (O2C), Credit Management, Risk Assessment and Governance.
• Oversee large-scale process simplification initiatives that drive efficiency gains through automation and digital enablement projects.
• Partner closely with Finance Systems and Business Change teams to redesign financial lifecycles, conduct user acceptance testing (UAT) and optimise systems, including SAP-led transformation programmes.
• Strengthen governance structures by uplifting capabilities within teams to support sustainable business growth while maintaining clarity and accountability at every stage.
• Champion transformation at pace by enabling teams to adapt quickly to new processes or technologies while supporting ongoing professional development.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders across the business to ensure alignment between operational finance objectives and broader organisational goals.

To excel as Head of Operational Finance you will bring substantial experience from senior roles overseeing broad financial operations functions, ideally within a large blue chip organisation. Your background should demonstrate successful delivery of transformation programmes involving both people development and technological innovation. You possess deep knowledge of financial controls frameworks alongside practical expertise in audit preparation, risk assessment, governance structures, all underpinned by strong commercial awareness.

Significant experience in senior leadership roles within Financial Operations environments encompassing Order to Cash (O2C), Accounts Payable (AP), Credit Management, Risk Assessment and Governance functions is essential. A proven track record of transforming large complex teams by embedding high-performance cultures that prioritise collaboration, accountability and shared success is required. You should have a deep understanding of financial controls including governance structures, audit requirements and risk management protocols essential for maintaining compliance.

Demonstrated experience operating within shared services or Centre of Excellence models where interdependent teamwork drives operational effectiveness is necessary. Strong commercial acumen combined with the ability to influence and constructively challenge senior stakeholders on matters relating to finance strategy or operational improvements is expected. Hands-on experience with SAP systems is strongly preferred; exposure to major systems transformation projects is highly desirable for this position.

Exceptional communication skills coupled with advanced problem-solving abilities that enable you to navigate complex challenges effectively while supporting your team's growth are crucial. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary leadership teams by nurturing specialist expertise across various domains such as AP/O2C/Credit/Risk/Governance is required. Experience managing large-scale process simplification initiatives involving automation or digital enablement technologies within fast-evolving environments is also important.

A commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces where diversity is celebrated and every colleague feels respected, valued, and supported is essential. The organisation stands out as an outstanding blue chip organisation with over 2,000 colleagues across multiple sites, shaping some of Britain's most beloved brands. Their commitment goes beyond commercial success: they champion inclusion, authenticity, and individuality ensuring everyone feels welcome regardless of background, identity or beliefs.

If you are ready to take your career in operational finance to new heights within an inclusive forward-thinking environment, this is your moment—seize it! Apply today by clicking on the link provided—we look forward to connecting with talented individuals who share our passion for excellence.