At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, manage reporting, and drive strategic financial decisions.
- Company: Join Sauce Shop, a fast-growing premium sauce brand in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Be a key player in a scaling business and shape its financial future.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with FMCG experience and strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Sauce Shop
Sauce Shop is one of the UK’s fastest-growing premium sauce brands, producing award-winning ketchups, BBQ sauces, hot sauces and mayos from our Nottingham manufacturing site. We’re a challenger brand with national retail listings, a strong D2C presence, and a growing international footprint. As we scale beyond £10m revenue, we’re strengthening our finance capability to support better decision-making, operational efficiency, and long-term growth.
Overview
We are looking for a Finance Manager who can combine strong technical accounting with commercial insight and hands-on operational finance. This is a pivotal role in a scaling food manufacturing business — you’ll own the day-to-day finance function while helping build the processes, reporting, and controls needed for the next stage of growth. You’ll work closely with the founders and senior leadership team with the ambition of taking over from the current fractional FD.
Responsibilities
- Financial Control & Reporting
- Own the month-end process, ensuring accurate and timely management accounts.
- Maintain balance sheet integrity, reconciliations, accruals, and prepayments.
- Manage cashflow forecasting and working capital, including stock, debtors, and creditors.
- Prepare board-ready monthly reporting packs with clear commentary and insight.
- Oversee VAT, payroll journals, and statutory compliance (with external accountants).
- Commercial Finance
- Support pricing decisions, margin analysis, and customer profitability.
- Build and maintain product-level costings, including BOMs, labour, and overhead absorption.
- Partner with Sales and Operations to model promotions, NPD, and commercial scenarios.
- Provide financial insight to support strategic decisions, capex, and investment cases.
- Operational Finance & Process Improvement
- Strengthen financial processes, controls, and documentation as the business scales.
- Improve stock reporting, production costing accuracy, and variance analysis.
- Lead budgeting and forecasting cycles, working with department heads.
- Implement systems improvements (ERP, reporting tools, automation).
- Leadership & Collaboration
- Act as the day-to-day finance lead within the business.
- Manage the relationship with external accountants and auditors.
- Support the development of junior finance resource as the team grows.
- Champion a data-driven culture across the organisation.
About You
- Essential
- Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent experience.
- Experience in FMCG, food manufacturing, or a product-based business.
- Strong understanding of cost of goods, stock, and manufacturing finance.
- Excellent Excel skills and comfortable with financial modelling.
- Hands-on, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced SME environment.
- Ability to communicate clearly with non-finance stakeholders.
- Desirable
- Experience implementing or improving ERP/stock systems.
- Exposure to D2C, retail, and wholesale channels.
- Prior experience in a scaling or founder-led business.
Finance Manager (Director Designate) in Mansfield employer: Sauce Shop
At Sauce Shop, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and creativity. Located in Nottingham, our team enjoys the benefits of working for a rapidly growing premium sauce brand, with ample opportunities for professional development and growth as we scale beyond £10m revenue. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to producing award-winning products while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions and insights.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager (Director Designate) in Mansfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and FMCG sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings at Sauce Shop or similar companies.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Sauce Shop thoroughly. Understand their products, values, and growth plans. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their journey as they scale beyond £10m revenue.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! When discussing your background, highlight specific examples where you've improved financial processes or supported strategic decisions. This will demonstrate that you can hit the ground running in a fast-paced SME environment like Sauce Shop.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join the team at Sauce Shop. Let’s get you that Finance Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager (Director Designate) in Mansfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in FMCG and food manufacturing, and don’t forget to showcase your strong Excel skills and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for Sauce Shop. Mention your hands-on approach and how you’ve improved financial processes in previous roles. Let us know how you can help us scale beyond £10m revenue!
Showcase Your Commercial Insight:In your application, make sure to highlight your commercial finance experience. Talk about how you've supported pricing decisions or provided financial insights for strategic decisions. We’re looking for someone who can partner with our Sales and Operations teams effectively!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our growing team at Sauce Shop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sauce Shop
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your strong technical accounting skills. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to Sauce Shop, like cash flow forecasting and margin analysis. Be ready to discuss how you've managed these in previous roles.
✨Show Your Commercial Insight
This role requires a blend of technical and commercial finance. Prepare examples of how you've supported pricing decisions or provided financial insights for strategic decisions in the past. Highlight your experience in FMCG or food manufacturing to show you understand the industry.
✨Be Process-Oriented
Since Sauce Shop is scaling, they’ll want to know how you can improve financial processes and controls. Think about specific systems improvements you've implemented before, especially in ERP or stock systems, and be ready to share those experiences.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll be working closely with non-finance stakeholders, so practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with other departments, like Sales and Operations, to drive business decisions.
