Finance Manager in Bolton

At Warburtons, family is at the heart of our business. Five generations' worth of expertise that goes into making our bakery products allows us to continue a tradition of baking inherited over the past 150 years.

Warburtons is the largest bakery brand in the UK, but that doesn't allow us to rest on our laurels. We are pioneers of the industry and ambitious market leaders, always seeking to challenge ourselves and convention. It is part of our philosophy to provide honest good sense on issues of health and well-being, helping the whole family to enjoy our products as part of a healthy, balanced diet, through a range of products to suit all meal occasions, lifestyles and tastes.

The Recipe

• Own the year-end external audit and group statutory accounts preparation.
• Lead Credit Control and Submissions, manage cash and borrowing, and produce the period-end business update pack with detailed reporting of Centre costs.
• Partner with budget holders, shape SAP processes to match the business, and coach a small team, all while communicating with clarity and confidence across the organisation and to external stakeholders.

The Role

• Year-end leadership: Plan and run external audit fieldwork; prepare high-quality group financial statements (not just review).
• Cash & controls: Own the group cash position, short-term liquidity/borrowing and balance-sheet control (incl. key reconciliations).
• Performance reporting: Produce timely consolidated MI and a crisp period-end business pack; evolve KPI/variance narratives that land with non-finance stakeholders.
• Business partnering: Support Centre budget holders with budgeting, forecasting and period reporting; influence decisions with evidence-based recommendations.
• Systems & improvement: Develop SAP ERP processes and controls; improve close cadence and data integrity; standardise templates and reconciliations.
• Team leadership: Lead, coach and develop Submissions, Credit Control and a Graduate; set direction, give context and support delivery — while staying hands-on when needed.
• Project work: Support the Senior Finance Manager & Financial Controller on ad-hoc projects and strategic execution; contribute as part of the senior management team.

Essential Ingredients

• We’re looking for someone who combines technical credibility with confident, in-the-moment communication and a hands-on ownership mindset.
• Must-haves: ACA/ACCA qualified, practice-trained, 3+ years PQE.
• Proven end-to-end preparation of statutory accounts and leading external audits (planning, liaison, resolving queries), not solely review/audit exposure.
• Evidence of clear, confident communication and stakeholder influence (team, cross-functional leaders, and external partners).
• SAP ERP experience (configuring/owning processes or controls, not just consuming reports).
• Power BI / Power Automate / Excel: able to build dashboards/flows and models yourself (creator, not just viewer).
• Strong analytical rigour; excellent planning and organisation to meet tight reporting timetables.
• Line-management experience with a track record of coaching and holding standards.

Nice-to-have

• Recent industry experience (ideally FMCG) and now ready for a second move e.g., stepping on from Group Financial Accountant or Finance Manager in a smaller business.
• Experience in improving working capital and credit-control processes.
• Demonstrated ability to evolve performance reporting for senior stakeholders.

What will set you apart?

• You adapt your examples to the question in real time and communicate with natural presence.
• You’ve prepared and consolidated accounts yourself and can talk through the “how” (judgements, policies, reconciliations, audit points closed).
• You’ve built (not just viewed) BI dashboards/flows and tuned SAP-driven processes that made month-end faster/cleaner.
• You lead by example, happy to stay strategic and tactical, rolling up your sleeves when the team needs it.

Extra Dough

• A slice of the annual profits (discretionary profit share).
• Family time is important to us so as well as your holiday entitlement, we'll give you the opportunity to purchase up to an extra week's annual leave.
• Award winning pension scheme with company contributions up to 7%.
• Private medical insurance and life assurance.
• Products you will love along with deals and discounts for you and the family through our Extra Dough website.
• Continued investment in your personal development.
• Fully stocked kitchens filled with our delicious products for you to enjoy with your daily brew!
• Support for your health and wellbeing, including access to free physiotherapy, 24/7 access to a confidential helpline for practical advice and a comprehensive occupational health service.