At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global finance operations and drive AI transformation in a fast-growing company.
- Company: Join ZURU, a disruptive force in consumer goods with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Relocation to New Zealand, competitive salary, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performing team that values innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while enjoying a dynamic work environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 10+ years in financial control and strong SAP experience.
The predicted salary is between 113400 - 138600 £ per year.
We're looking for a Group Finance Director to be based in our Auckland office, overseeing our Global Financial Control environment and playing a key leadership role across our international business. This is a relocation opportunity from the UK for an ambitious finance leader ready for a new challenge.
About ZURU
ZURU is on a mission to disrupt across industries, challenge the status quo and catalyst change through radical innovation and automation advances. This is in play in different pillars of the company: ZURU Toys are re-imagining what it means to play; ZURU Tech is shaping a better future by leading the next building revolution; ZURU Edge is pioneering new generation FMCG brands to better serve modern consumers. ZURU is one of the fastest growing consumer goods companies in the world. Started by two brothers in New Zealand twenty years ago, we now turn over NZ$6 billion, employ 5,000 people across 34 offices, and sell into more than 150 markets across six consumer verticals - toys, baby care, home care, beauty, confectionery and pet - plus our biggest opportunity yet, Housing Tech.
The role
This role is an opportunity to lead the Global Finance function for one of the fastest growing consumer goods businesses in the world - from New Zealand! You will be an expert across the core finance modules of General Ledger, AP, AR, Treasury, Fixed Assets, Inventory, Product & Factory Costing, Group Consolidation, Statutory Accounting, External Audit, System Management - and believe that AI has an integral role to play in driving process optimisation. This role will manage a team of 5+ including over 100 team members in our Shared Service in Shenzhen.
What you'll own:
- Group close and consolidation: Month-end and year-end consolidation of 50+ entities under IFRS - including intercompany eliminations. Your mandate is to make it faster and fully automated, not just to run it.
- Finance process optimisation: You own the design of all processes across every ledger - general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, intercompany and payroll integration - and the continuous improvement of all these.
- AI transformation: Leading AI-driven transformation across master data, finance processes, data, integration into upstream and downstream business, while delivering a best in class enforced control framework.
- Balance sheet Integrity: Reviewing control and reasonability checks across all GL and sub-ledger balances, so we are audit ready every month.
- Treasury, cash and cash flow: Group cash flow management and forecasting, multi-currency and multi-entity flows, and cash pooling.
- Statutory reporting: Compliant local statutory accounts and filings across all jurisdictions, including the local-GAAP-to-IFRS bridge, e-invoicing requirements, and the outsourced provider network.
- External Audit: Oversee the group statutory audit, plus establishing and running a standing internal audit programme across factories and entities.
- Technical accounting: Sitting with the business to understand transactions, owning the IFRS treatment, specifying journals for non-standard transactions, and liaising with External Consultants where required.
- SAP and data: The finance side of SAP S/4HANA - chart of accounts, costing, revenue recognition configuration, master data - and the finance layer of the Group's reporting platform. Plus process integration into Abbyy invoice workflow, e-invoicing and cash pooling.
- Product and factory costing: Providing leadership to Factory Finance teams, including supporting standard costing across seven plants, with monthly cost and variance updates feeding inventory valuation and margin for business teams.
What we're looking for:
- Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CPA or equivalent) from a consumer goods business that runs entrepreneurially rather than corporately.
- 10+ years in financial control, with proven ownership of group consolidation under IFRS across a large, multi-entity international group and a centralised team of comparable size.
- Multi-jurisdiction statutory accounting and audit experience, including local GAAP to IFRS reconciliation.
- FMCG or manufacturing background - inventory valuation, standard costing in a manufacturing environment, high-volume system dependent transactional cycles.
- Technical depth on complex transactions - you can own the accounting treatment and translate it into clear journal instructions.
- Strong SAP S/4HANA implementation and optimisation experience. Power BI or equivalent BI tooling an advantage.
- A track record of applying AI and automation to close and reporting - or a strong appetite and aptitude to lead it.
- A hands-on leader who leads by example and effortlessly moves between the Macro and Micro of the business. This role will manage a team of 5+ and a wider team with them.
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment where continuous improvement is the norm.
- Fluent English essential. Mandarin is useful given the Shenzhen-based team, but not essential.
Why join?
At ZURU, we have cultivated a high-performing culture that encourages excellence. Our team works towards ambitious goals, learning, performing, and improving together, all while having fun. We empower talented individuals to do their best work every day. At ZURU, you get out what you put in. You are responsible for driving your own career and we provide the platform to achieve it. As ZURU is on such a fast growth trajectory, there are opportunities here that you won't find anywhere else.
Group Finance Director in London employer: Zuru
ZURU Edge is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and creativity in the consumer products industry. Located in vibrant Auckland, NZ, we offer a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and personal growth, alongside competitive compensation and relocation support. Join us to not only advance your career but also to make a significant impact on a global scale while enjoying a supportive environment that prioritises employee wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Finance Director in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Group Finance Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Zuru.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Zuru
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Zuru.
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✨Show Your Passion for Finance
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✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Zuru employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.