Financial Controller
The Bar is Back – we need financial leadership, commercial insight and 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. As we enter a phase of rapid growth, we’re looking for an experienced, hands‑on Financial Controller to lead our finance function and support strategic decision‑making.
Location: Glasgow / Remote Working Fridays. Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 per annum DOE. Holiday: 33 days + bank holidays, increasing with service. Full Time – Permanent.
Reporting to: Managing Director.
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 with practical experience in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
- Educated to degree level.
Experience, Skills & Knowledge
- Demonstrable experience of leading and developing a finance team.
- Experience in a multi‑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 a 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 skills 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 Help@Hand who provide EAP, GP & Physio services and information on health, family, money & work, as well as discounts with various retailers.
