Role: Financial Controller
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer
Direct report: Part-time Bookkeeper
Location: Brighton & Hove

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Financial Controller to take ownership of the day-to-day financial control and reporting of a growing food manufacturing business. This is a hands-on role with broad exposure across financial reporting, cash flow management, controls, and systems, with a clear progression path to Finance Director within two to three years.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Management Accounts
*Prepare timely and accurate monthly management accounts, including P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow statements.
*Provide clear, insightful commentary on performance, including investigation and explanation of material variances.
*Maintain and manage accruals, including retrospective discounts and supplier recharges.
Cash Flow & Working Capital
*Manage short- and medium-term cash flow forecasting and funding requirements.
*Monitor working capital movements and assess fixed asset investment needs.
*Oversee daily bank reconciliations and ensure alignment with finance providers’ balances.
Treasury & Finance Providers
*Act as the primary point of contact for finance providers, including invoice discounting and inventory finance facilities.
*Ensure accurate reconciliation and reporting to all funding partners.
Payments, Payroll & Receivables
*Oversee supplier and staff payment processes.
*Manage receivables and credit control processes to support cash collection.
*Run monthly payroll for approximately 40 employees.
Controls, Compliance & Governance
*Review, maintain and improve internal controls and accounting policies.
*Approve invoices in line with delegated authority.
*Ensure full compliance with HMRC reporting requirements, including VAT, Excise Duty and PAYE.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Improvement
*Assist with annual budget preparation and quarterly reforecasting.
*Identify and help implement efficiency improvements through enhanced systems and processes.
*Support continuous improvement initiatives across finance operations.
Systems & Team
*Work closely with operational teams to ensure robust financial data flows from production systems.
*Manage and develop a part-time bookkeeper.
*Contribute to ongoing systems optimisation (NetSuite experience preferred).
Candidate Profile
Essential
*Proven experience in a Financial Controller or senior finance role within a manufacturing or production environment.
*Strong management accounting, cash flow and working capital management skills.
*Hands-on, detail-oriented approach with the ability to operate at both transactional and strategic levels.
*Experience liaising with external finance providers.
*Solid understanding of UK statutory and HMRC reporting requirements.
Desirable
*Experience using NetSuite or similar manufacturing ERP systems.
*Background in a growing, scaling or PE-backed business.
*Ambition to progress to a Finance Director role.
Career Development
This role offers a genuine opportunity for progression, with structured succession planning to Finance Director within two to three years for the right candidate.

Benefits:

*£60-70k base depending on experience
*Bonus
*Pension scheme
*25 days annual leave
*Discounts across the brand