Head of Finance

Head of Finance

• Location: London
• Job Type: Full-time
• Salary: £120-£125k plus package

We are seeking a Head of Finance to lead and manage our finance team during an exciting growth phase at a leading soft commodities trader. This pivotal role involves ensuring robust financial controls and procedures, supporting company initiatives, and enhancing financial awareness across the organisation. The successful candidate will work closely with the Managing Director to drive financial strategy and strive for operational excellence.

Day-to-day of the role:

Strategic Planning:

• Lead and oversee financial operations including business and financial planning.
• Develop and implement effective financial strategies and processes to support the company’s growth and profitability.
• Ensure adequate liquidity planning to meet the business’ changing environment.
• Develop and maintain robust internal controls processes.
• Lead and advise senior management on statutory and accounting rules and their impact on the business.

Financial Reporting:

• Oversee statutory reporting and manage external auditor relationships.
• Manage external tax advisor relationships to minimise the company’s tax exposure.
• Be responsible for creating accurate and timely P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reports.
• Devise business inputs to create reliable financial forecasting tools.
• Prepare detailed financial reports and statements, providing insights and recommendations to senior management.

Control & Risk Management:

• Manage financial risk and ensure compliance with financial accounting standards.
• Establish and monitor a system of internal controls.
• Enhance short and medium cash flow forecasting.
• Identify and mitigate key external risks impacting financial performance.

Leadership:

• Lead, develop, and motivate the finance team.
• Collaborate closely with the trade, logistics, and corporate teams to identify strategies to drive financial performance.
• Provide support to shareholders and executives to meet the company’s medium-term strategic plan.
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors and regulatory bodies.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Graduate with a professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, or CIMA.
• Strong financial and accounting knowledge, staying updated on industry trends and changes in financial regulations.
• Experience of implementing hedge accounting in a commodity trading environment - idealy soft commodities (eg, sugar, cocoa, coffee)
• High-level proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Office applications, preferably including Power BI.
• Consistent record of delivering strategic, complex, and cross-functional projects from definition to completion.
• Exceptional skills in building and optimising financial controls in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to manage relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills and the capacity to drive finance team performance.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Dynamic and supportive work environment.

To apply for the Head of Finance position, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role.