UK Finance Director

Background

Baxters Food Group is a fourth generation privately owned entrepreneurial business which specialises in the manufacturing of premium quality, primarily branded, food products. The Group’s product range includes soup, beetroot, chutney, condiments, preserves and meal options. Since 2001, the company has undertaken nine acquisitions and has acquired manufacturing facilities in four countries (UK, Canada, Australia and Poland) employing over a thousand employees.

The strategic ambition of the Group is to double its turnover by 2018. To achieve this, the business will focus on market growth, innovation, new contracts, and strategic acquisitions. To enable this exciting phase of growth, Baxters have restructured the Finance function to create highly commercial and analytical Finance teams to support each of the operating countries.

We are looking to appoint an extremely commercial UK Finance Director to work closely with the CFO in driving UK performance, strategy, analysis and profitability. The UK Finance Director will be an exceptional accountant with outstanding commercial awareness, leadership and credibility.

Purpose of Role

 

• To drive the profitability of the division to meet or exceed its annual budget and future strategic targets, through close supervision of all aspects of the P&L performance  of the business, and its use of working capital
• To provide strategic and financial direction, commercial insight and judgement about on-going operations, promoting and supporting actions and activities that will ensure long term growth in profitability of the division
• To act as a key influencer in the local management team in driving the business forward and engaging effectively with the colleagues in shaping and executing profitable performance and strategic objectives
• To ensure the business meets all external and Baxters Food Group financial reporting standards and reflecting these in the accounting records and procedures in the Divisional business operation

Summary

The successful candidate will be a professionally qualified accountant with a relevant and successful track record. A background in Food Manufacturing with considerable experience of commercial dealings with the large multiples, category knowledge and a strong awareness of the operations and manufacturing side of thermal ambient food processing is strongly preferred. The UK Finance Director will take pride in ensuring the professional development of the team and play an active commercial and financial role in all aspects of the business. Exceptional communication skills, commercial awareness, leadership, enthusiasm and integrity are essential.

This person can be based anywhere in the UK, with frequent travel to Baxters Head Office in Fochabers.

• Fochabers