Financial Controller in Reading

At STADA we pursue our purpose “Caring for people‘s health as a trusted partner” worldwide. Originally founded by pharmacists, we are a leading manufacturer of high-quality pharmaceuticals. More than 12,300 employees around the globe live our values Integrity, Entrepreneurship, Agility and One STADA to achieve ambitious goals and shape the successful future of STADA. Britannia Pharmaceuticals, part of the STADA Arzneimittel AG group of companies, is a UK based pharmaceutical company specialising in the neurology market. Britannia focuses on innovative products for chronic and serious medical conditions, and in particular, the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. We are highly committed to improving the quality of life for People with Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE

To lead and oversee the company's financial accounting, reporting and control activities to ensure they are carried out efficiently, effectively and in line with best practice. To lead and develop the finance team to ensure a strong, compliant and efficient working department.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Responsible for the financial functional operation of the company including monthly/annual entity reporting (from a legal entity and group perspective), invoicing, treasury & cash management and accounts payable.
• Co-ordinate the monthly/annual accounting close ensuring timeliness, accuracy, completeness and compliance with corporate policy.
• Technical accountant, current understanding of accounting standards and adherence to group accounting policies and UK laws.
• Responsible for the implementation of new legislative or group disseminated policies and being the key point of contact for operational financial queries from STADA HQ.
• Lead tax compliance (including income tax, VAT, intrastat and corporation tax) in collaboration with the UK tax department to ensure accurate global submissions are made within the appropriate deadlines.
• Responsible for maintaining and enforcing the control framework of the business and partnering with business leaders to ensure timely and accurate recording of potential risks, and compliance with relevant legislation and policies.
• Being the key point of contact for the financial audit and responsible for maintaining a reactive and timely audit process.
• Produce statutory accounts for Britannia Pharmaceuticals and BRITUSWIP and management of audit process.
• Leading, coaching and development of a team of 5, as well as being an active part of the management team to deliver the highest level of service to the business.
• Identification of areas for improvement, design, testing and implementation of solutions.
• Coordinates appropriate insurance for the company (whether local or through group policies).
• Act as Company Secretary where required.
• Application of financial information into business context so that the implications to and from the business are understood and can be communicated appropriately.
• Responsible for monthly review of payroll and approval for sign-off, working with Culture and People and external payroll provider to ensure colleagues are paid accurately and on time each month.
• Any other ad-hoc requests.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION (Skills required to perform the job)

• Fully qualified accountant (CA, ACA, ACCA).
• Previous FC experience: ready to manage daily financial operations and support the FD.
• Skilled in preparing monthly/annual reports and business performance analysis.
• Experienced in implementing and enforcing processes and control systems under pressure.
• Responsible for internal control procedures and smooth audit processes for group and local statutory requirements.
• Capable of working in an international multi-currency environment.
• Strong IT literacy, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent SAP (S/4HANA) knowledge in supply chain/distribution; ERP implementation experience preferred.
• Essential UK operational experience.
• Critical thinker with strong analytical skills and an innovative mindset.
• Self-motivated problem solver, driven by continuous improvement.
• Experienced hands-on team leader; adept at running teams in dynamic environments.
• Proven team player with coaching and energising abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills to support, advise, and influence managers while ensuring financial control.
• Proven ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Personnel Excellence: Pro-active with a continuous improvement mind-set. Creates an environment within the organisation which encourages innovative new ideas and concepts, the development of systems, procedures and any other improvements that will positively impact on the future business. Ultimate accountability for delivery of business objectives and accepts responsibility for outcomes.
• Delivering Results: Champions individual ownership and accountability, by identifying and managing risk and leading by example to achieve department’s objectives. Sets departmental objectives aligned to strategic priorities and builds the means to achieve them.
• Relationship Building & Communication: Ensures that the communication of complex information and concepts in formal and informal channels, both internally and externally, are fully understood. Adds technical expertise to discussions and relays constructive knowledge to others. Act as Business Partner to the Finance Director and key stakeholders in the company and STADA Group. Embeds and maintains a culture of psychological safety to allow the team to take accountability, and learn from all experiences in a supported environment.
• Making Decisions and Analytical Thinking: Takes decisions on intangible problems of a conceptual nature where the information is uncertain and requires deep and demanding investigation to generate potential solutions. Uses complex business analysis to make judgements and decisions where the theory and outcome is potentially unknown.
• People Management: Takes ownership of responsibilities and drives team engagement and collaboration. Resource planning in the short and medium term to ensure team development. Creates an environment encompassing the company culture that encourages and develops individuals through effective responsibility of the complete employee life cycle.
• Motivational Leadership: Invites input on key decisions and delegates challenging work in an appropriate support structure. Empowers individuals to take ownership of performance and promotes and rewards successes.
• Drives Change and Innovation: Identifies and instigates major change initiatives in own business area response to key changes in the environment taking into consideration organisational priorities. Generates enthusiasm and commitment change in the organisation. As well as promoting change in their own department, they should be willing to step outside own field of expertise and do this in other areas.
• Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen: Develops a strategic direction for the department that connects the team to the success of the organisation. Uses knowledge of organisation to handle complex situations effectively and with discretion.

We are regrettably unable to accept applications from candidates who do not have the right to work in the UK or require a sponsorship to work in the UK.