Summary: The role of Financial Controller involves overseeing financial operations, reporting, and compliance for a retail and distribution business undergoing financial stabilization under new private equity ownership. The successful candidate will manage financial relationships, particularly with suppliers, and lead a small finance team while ensuring strong financial governance. This hands-on leadership position reports directly to the Managing Director and is offered as a 6-month fixed-term contract with potential for extension or permanence. The role requires a detail-oriented professional with experience in pre-pack scenarios and financial turnarounds.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all financial controls, ensuring compliance and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Lead on supplier negotiations, managing key financial relationships and ensuring continued business partnerships despite prior financial challenges.
• Provide hands-on financial management, including cash flow monitoring, forecasting, and month-end reporting.
• Work closely with the Managing Director and key financial stakeholders to support the financial turnaround of the business.
• Ensure all statutory and regulatory financial obligations are met.
• Manage a small finance team, including a Junior Management Accountant, Accounts Payable Clerk, and Accounts Receivable Clerk.
• Oversee payroll operations (which are outsourced), ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Support with ad-hoc financial projects as required, ensuring a smooth transition under the new ownership.

Key Skills:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA / CIMA / ACA) with extensive post-qualification experience.
• Proven experience in private equity-backed businesses, pre-pack administration, exits, acquisitions, and financial turnarounds.
• Strong financial governance and reporting experience, ideally in a retail, wholesale, or multi-site business.
• Resilience and confidence in handling supplier negotiations, with the ability to navigate sensitive financial discussions.
• Hands-on approach to financial management with the ability to drill into detail and ensure nothing is overlooked.
• Experience managing finance teams and providing leadership in a challenging business environment.
• Strong knowledge of cash flow management, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, able to build strong relationships with leadership and external partners.

Salary (Rate): 75000

City: Manchester

Country: United Kingdom

Working Arrangements: hybrid

IR35 Status: undetermined

Seniority Level: undetermined

Industry: Retail