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SalaryPure Executive have been retained and exclusively engaged by The Chesterford Group to recruit a high calibre Commercial Finance Director to be based at their Head Office in Stansted, on the Essex and Hertfordshire border.
The Chesterford Group, owned by father & son Hugh & James Lipscombe, operate 40 fish and chip shops/restaurants, quick service restaurants, virtual kitchen brands and are a Pret A Manger franchise launch partner in the UK, employing over 850 people. Its stores are based in the Southeast, Southwest and South of the UK.
The Finance Director will aid the board and directors in setting the overarching Group strategy of the business and is responsible for overseeing the financial aspects of that strategy to ensure the Group meets its agreed strategic objectives.
You will be responsible for the flow of financial information to the Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Director of Operations, the board and, where necessary, external parties such as investors or financial institutions.
Responsibilities
- Overall control of the Group’s Finance function
- Continually evaluate the finance function of the business and where possible, outsource administration tasks and reporting tasks, to ensure the business remains nimble and flexible in the face of changes in technology
- Financial planning, formulating financial targets and budgets in accordance with the strategy determined by the board
- Overall responsibility for all financial reporting, including: Budgets; Forecasts; Monthly MI; Statutory Reports; Cash Management; KPI Reporting
- Corporate Finance: managing Group policies regarding capital requirements, debt, taxation, equity and acquisitions as appropriate
- Supporting the business in all aspects of decision making, providing robust & insightful Management Information
- Overall Responsibility of Finance & Payroll, appraising the performance on a 6 monthly basis of the Group Financial Controller
- Information Communications Technology: ensuring the company develops & controls its systems, and related ICT, to maximum efficiency at minimal cost
- Implement Accountancy package that integrates with all current Finance tools that will allow the company to grow its financial reporting capability as the company grows without having to dramatically increase headcount
- Implement new warehouse stock control system as current system is not fit for purpose
- Implement new Order Management System alongside the Managing Director as our current system is not fit for purpose
- Innovation: Driving change and revising processes for better cash management and profitability
- Preparation of annual accounts and audit files in preparation for Audit
- To carry out thorough due diligence of any business that the company see as a potential target for acquisition
- Networking with relevant potential stakeholders to ensure that the business has the contacts and knowledge to enable it to meet its business objectives
- Conceptualising the business objectives for the next 1-3 years alongside the board and executing those objectives with proven strategies and tactics
- To challenge costs within the business and improve project efficiency
- Work closely with the Managing Director to ensure that the Groups business objectives are met and the Groups financial principles remain intact
Skills and attributes
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA Qualified Accountant
- Experience within a privately owned and entrepreneurial SME would be preferential
- Industry experience within Retail and Distribution or hospitality a distinct advantage
- Proven M&A experience
- Change transformation experience including system implementations
- Detailed experience of P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow management
- Ability to demonstrate strategic and commercial focus in previous roles
- Results driven with a hands on creative outside the box approach
- A drive to be a true business partner to the wider business
- Strong leaderships skills
If you would like to discuss this opportunity further then please contact Andy Dowsett at Pure Executive based in Chelmsford, Essex.
