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- Tasks: Lead finance operations and manage a dynamic team while supporting the CFO.
- Company: Join Vegetarian Express, a rapidly growing plant-based food supplier committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, life assurance, staff discounts, and flexible leave options.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven company making a positive impact on health and the planet.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified accountant with strong technical skills and over 3 years' experience.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
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Hours of work: 40 hours per week (8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday)
Salary & Benefits
- Competitive basic salary dependant on experience
- Option to purchase additional annual leave (up to 3 days)
- Life assurance (4 x salary)
- Staff discount on ALL products
- Pension (3% employer and 5% employee)
Main purpose of job:
We are seeking a highly capable individual to support the Chief Financial Officer across all aspects of finance. This leadership role involves managing and developing a team of five, ensuring the effective delivery of day-to-day and month-end financial processes and reporting.
You will act as the primary point of contact for external advisors and handle all technical accounting queries. The role also includes leading finance-related and wider Group initiatives, requiring the ability to build strong working relationships with the Senior Leadership Team.
This is a broad and varied role that offers the opportunity to drive process improvements, deliver key projects, and provide strategic support to both the finance function and the wider organisation.
As a Private Equity-backed business, this position presents a unique opportunity for an individual to gain exposure to a dynamic, high-growth environment and play a key role in the next phase of the company’s strategic growth and development.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Act as the effective No. 2 to the Chief Financial Officer, serving as their delegate in their absence.
- Provide full line management and leadership to the finance team, comprising two Management Accountants, two Accounts Receivable Clerks, and one Accounts Payable Clerk.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all external advisors, including the audit and tax partners, Lloyds relationship manager, and NVM Private Equity (investors).
- Set, manage, and motivate team members through clear, measurable SMART objectives.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with the Senior Leadership Team, providing financial insight and support as required.
- Oversee all areas of technical accounting, including but not limited to: consolidation, changes in legislation and accounting standards, and tax accounting (in collaboration with external advisors).
- Oversee the month-end process and review monthly Board Packs ahead of submission to the CFO.
- Review and authorise monthly payroll in advance of final submission.
- Lead the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and five-year strategic plans—covering P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, capital expenditure, and associated Board Pack reporting.
Project Leadership and Strategic Support:Lead and contribute to a range of strategic and operational projects, including but not limited to:
- Development and implementation of new Power BI dashboards and analytical reporting tools.
- Support the Group growth strategy , including network reviews for new site opportunities—conducting analysis, drawing conclusions, and supporting implementation.
- Foreign exchange (FX) management to mitigate risk and optimise financial outcomes.
- Central cost management , collaborating closely with departmental Heads to monitor and control overheads.
- Drive team efficiency initiatives , identifying opportunities for process improvement and operational optimisation.
- Deliver margin analysis and commercial insights to support strategic decision-making.
- Provide ad hoc support on high-priority initiatives and strategic tasks as requested by the CFO.
- Fully qualified accountant with over 3 years’ post-qualification experience (ACA,
- CIMA, or ACCA)
- Strong technical expertise in group consolidation, budgeting, and scenario analysis
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and SAGE 200
- Excellent organisational and time management skills; able to prioritise tasks
- effectively under pressure
- Detail-oriented with a proactive, problem-solving approach
- Adaptable and flexible in managing changing workloads
- Self-motivated with a high level of initiative
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
About Vegetarian Express:
Vegetarian Express specialise in delivering plant-based ingredients, ideas and inspiration to chefs across the UK for eating out of home. With the astronomical rise in popularity of plant-based, vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian diets, Vegetarian Express are uniquely placed in Foodservice to meet with this demand, and as such are rapidly growing and expanding.
Vegetarian Express is supported by NVM Private Equity, which invested in the business in February 2024.
Nationally we supply more than 4,000 skilled chefs from customers such as Compass, Baxterstorey and CH&Co, as well as a ton of Independent operators and events such as The Chelsea Flower Show, Wimbledon and Wembley Stadium to name just a few.
Vegetarian Express work with customers to create plant-based menus that are enticing, better for consumers health, the planet and commercially for businesses.
Vegetarian Express are proud to be a certified B Corporation. This means they are part of a growing number of progressive businesses around the world that truly believe in the power of business to do good things and, more importantly, are doing something about it.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Accounting/Auditing and Finance
-
Industries
Food and Beverage Services
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Financial Controller employer: Vegetarian Express
Contact Detail:
Vegetarian Express Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial software mentioned in the job description, such as SAGE 200. Having hands-on experience or even completing a short course on this software can give you an edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in private equity-backed businesses. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could lead to valuable insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Be ready to provide examples of how you've set SMART objectives and motivated team members to achieve their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Vegetarian Express and its mission as a certified B Corporation. Understanding their values and how they align with your own can help you articulate why you're a great fit for the company culture during your interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the responsibilities of the Financial Controller role. Emphasise your leadership experience, technical accounting expertise, and any specific achievements in financial management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only introduces yourself but also explains why you are a great fit for the position. Mention your understanding of the company's mission and how your background in finance can contribute to their growth strategy.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, such as ACA, CIMA, or ACCA, and ensure you include your post-qualification experience. This is crucial for demonstrating your capability for the role.
Showcase Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, highlight your interpersonal and communication abilities. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams or collaborated with senior leadership to drive financial initiatives.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vegetarian Express
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Financial Controller. Familiarise yourself with key tasks such as managing a finance team, overseeing month-end processes, and liaising with external advisors. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and suitability for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this position involves leading a team, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and experiences. Share examples of how you've motivated teams, set SMART objectives, and driven process improvements in previous roles. This will highlight your capability to manage and develop a finance team effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to technical accounting, group consolidation, and budgeting. Brush up on relevant legislation and accounting standards, and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your past work. This will showcase your expertise and confidence in handling complex financial matters.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since building strong relationships with the Senior Leadership Team is crucial, practice your interpersonal skills. Be friendly, engage in conversation, and show genuine interest in the company’s mission and values. This will help you connect with the interviewers and leave a positive impression.
