Head of Controllership, Consumer UK & Ireland in Manchester

Primary Responsibilities Overview

• Regional Financial Governance & Controls
  • Ensure execution of accounting and reporting activities across plants within the assigned area, including: GL accounting, payroll accounting, lease accounting, inventory accounting, revenue accounting, manufacturing accounting, capital expenditure accounting (additions, retirements, depreciation, CIP), physical inventory cycle governance, fixed asset rollforward and reconciliations.
  • Ensure compliance with US GAAP, internal accounting policies, and the corporate finance manual, local statutory requirements, VAT / indirect tax, tax credits, grants, and local government regulations, internal controls and SOX obligations where relevant.
• Month-End Close & Reporting Quality
  • Oversee plant-level close processes ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
  • Validate journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and cost allocations.
  • Review variance analysis and financial reporting packs prepared by Plant Controllers.
  • Provide the EMEA Operations Controllership EMEA Lead with a consolidated Area view.
• Leadership of Plant Controllers
  • Lead, coach, and develop Plant Controllers across multiple locations.
  • Ensure consistent application of accounting policies and reporting templates.
  • Build a high-performing plant finance community focused on rigor, efficiency, and collaboration.
• Operational Finance Partnering
  • Partner with Plant Managers, Supply Chain, and Operations leadership to understand product costing, efficiency measures, capacity utilization, and waste drivers.
  • Provide insights into cost variances, working capital, and inventory impacts.
  • Support operational initiatives such as footprint optimization, capital projects, and make/buy decisions.
• Integration, Standardization & Continuous Improvement
  • Support rollout and adoption of standard operating procedures (SOPs), finance systems and ERP harmonization, process simplification, automation, and digitization initiatives.
  • Participate in cross-regional projects and contribute to the end-state controllership operating model.
• External & Internal Audit Support
  • Coordinate plant-level audit activities within the Area.
  • Ensure remediation plans are executed for control deficiencies.
  • Maintain documentation for statutory, tax, and audit requirements.
• Other related duties.

KPIs

• Close cycle duration and error‑free submissions.
• Accuracy of inventory, fixed assets, and cost accounting entries.
• Consistency of processes and controls across plants.
• Number and severity of audit findings.
• Compliance with US GAAP and statutory regulations.
• Timeliness and quality of reporting and reconciliations.
• Plant controller competency and engagement levels.

Knowledge & Skills Required

• Technical: Cost & inventory accounting, fixed assets, close governance, tax/VAT basics, US GAAP, regional statutory requirements, ERP system proficiency (Oracle preferred) and strong Excel / reporting capability.
• Leadership: Coaching remote teams, performance management, influencing without authority.
• Operational: Partnering with operations, manufacturing understanding, root‑cause analysis.
• Change management: Standardization, system adoption, embedding new ways of working.
• Analytical: Variance analysis, capital project evaluation, continuous improvement mindset.

Education Required

• Possess Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or equivalent in professional accounting qualification, like ACCA, CIMA, etc.

Education Preferred

• MBA.

Experience

• 8–12 years of finance experience in manufacturing, plant, or cost accounting roles.
• Experience managing multiple sites or geographies strongly preferred.
• Experience with external audits, inventory cycle counts, and fixed asset processes.
• Previous leadership experience in a matrix environment.
• M&A or integration experience advantageous.