Do you want to be part of a retail business with some serious growth plans? Do you have a strong Finance background and want to develop a team? Do you thrive in a collaborative culture and enjoy building as apposed to maintaining? If yes, then keep reading!
We are seeking an experienced and driven Finance Operations Manager to lead our Purchase Ledger team of 4. This individual will be responsible for overseeing a range of financial operations, ensuring smooth processes, and maintaining strong supplier relationships. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing expenses, implementing financial systems, handling customer refunds, and dealing with external lending companies.
Key Responsibilities:
* Expense Management: Oversee and manage all aspects of expenses, including merc, rent, rates invoices, and payment processing.
* Accounts Payable & Supplier Management: Handle all accounts payable processes, ensuring timely and accurate payments to suppliers. Build strong relationships with suppliers and resolve any payment issues with them or the bank.
* Bank Reconciliation & Cash Flow Monitoring: Manage bank reconciliations, ensuring all cash received is fully reconciled. Monitor cash flow and key financial metrics, providing regular reports and analysis to senior stakeholders.
* Customer Refunds: Manage and process customer refunds accurately and promptly, ensuring that all relevant documentation is collected and processed according to company policies.
* Dealing with External Lending Companies: Liaise with external lending companies for financial transactions, ensuring accurate records and timely communication.
* Ledger & Financial Statements: Ensure the purchase ledger is tidy and up-to-date with accurate statements and reconciliations.
* Credit Cards & Direct Debits: Oversee credit card management and maintain a list of direct debit suppliers.
* Team Leadership & Training: Lead and manage a team of 4 in the purchase ledger department, providing training, guidance, and development opportunities to ensure high performance.
* Process Improvement: Identify inefficiencies within existing financial processes, develop and implement solutions to streamline workflows and increase productivity.
* System Implementation: Contribute to the implementation of new financial systems. Experience with Sage X3 or similar systems is highly desirable.
* Hedge Accounting & Multi-Currency Management: Oversee the management of the dollar book, multiple bank accounts, and foreign currency exposure, ensuring accurate hedge accounting processes are in place.
* Collaboration & Cross-Functional Support: Work closely with other departments to understand operational processes, providing financial insights and guidance to support overall company objectives and strategy.
* Reporting & Analysis: Provide regular financial reports, highlight areas of concern, and ensure financial compliance with company standards and regulations.
Desired Qualifications & Skills:
* Certified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, or equivalent – PQ and QBE will be considered)
* 3-5 years of experience in finance operations or related roles, with a strong focus on Accounts Payable & Treasury.
* Proven leadership skills with experience managing a team of 5-15 staff.
* Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (Sage X3 experience preferred).
* In-depth knowledge of hedge accounting and multi-currency management.
* Strong background in process improvement and system implementation.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and effectively partner with business teams.
* Able to work under pressure, prioritize workloads, and meet tight deadlines.
* Team mentoring & management experience, with a focus on development and training.
Personal Attributes:
* Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify and address financial challenges.
* A proactive approach to process optimization and operational efficiency.
* Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in financial reporting and reconciliation.
* Collaborative and able to work effectively across multiple teams.
If you're a motivated individual with a passion for finance operations and a proven ability to drive improvements within a fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to join a dynamic team where you will make a significant impact on the business.