Group Financial Controller

Group Financial ControllerMajor UK Manufacturing & Distribution Group | Private Equity BackedCentral Scotland | Finance Director Progression OpportunityFWB is delighted to be supporting a substantial, well-established UK manufacturing and distribution group in the appointment of a Group Financial Controller.With an extensive national footprint, a diverse customer base and a longstanding reputation for quality, service and operational excellence, the business has built a strong market position through sustained investment, innovation and growth.Following a significant recent investment from a major private equity partner, the Group is entering an exciting new chapter, with ambitious plans for continued organic growth, operational development and strategic acquisitions.This investment creates an opportunity to further strengthen the Group's financial infrastructure, enhance management information and modernise systems and processes to support its next phase of development.Reporting to the Finance Director and working closely with the Group CFO, the Group Financial Controller will play a pivotal role in this journey.The OpportunityThis is a broad and influential finance leadership appointment, combining responsibility for the Group's financial control, reporting and governance with the opportunity to drive meaningful improvements in systems, processes and financial performance.Leading an established central finance team, the successful candidate will oversee financial operations across a complex, multi-site and multi-entity organisation, ensuring robust controls, accurate reporting and effective financial management.Beyond the core responsibilities, the role offers considerable scope to contribute to the Group's wider development, particularly through the enhancement of ERP systems, financial reporting and the scalability of the finance function.Key responsibilities will include:Financial Leadership & Control: Lead the Group's core financial control activities, ensuring robust governance, balance sheet integrity, effective working capital management and appropriate financial controls across trading entities.Group Reporting & Consolidation: Oversee month-end and quarterly reporting, preparation of consolidated Group accounts, management information, KPIs and statutory reporting, ensuring accuracy, consistency and timely delivery.Cash Flow & Working Capital: Maintain oversight of credit control, debtors, creditors, banking arrangements and payment processes, supporting effective cash management and financial discipline.Finance Systems & Transformation: Play a leading role in the development and enhancement of the Group's ERP and financial systems, improving reporting capability, automation, process efficiency and financial visibility.Leadership & Development: Lead, support and develop an established central finance function, while working collaboratively with finance and operational colleagues across the national business.Governance & Compliance: Oversee key financial compliance activities, including VAT, payroll, tax, audit and statutory obligations, alongside relationships with external advisers and financial partners.Business Improvement: Partner with senior finance and operational leadership to strengthen processes, improve financial insight and establish a scalable finance function capable of supporting continued growth and acquisition activity.The CandidateWe are seeking a technically strong, commercially aware and ambitious finance professional who combines excellent financial control and reporting capabilities with the confidence to lead people, improve processes and influence stakeholders.The successful candidate will ideally offer:A recognised accountancy qualification (CA, ACA, ACCA or CIMA) and a strong grounding in financial control, reporting and statutory accounting.Experience operating within a sizeable, multi-entity or multi-site business, ideally in manufacturing, distribution, FMCG, industrial or other operationally complex environments.Proven experience leading finance teams and overseeing transactional finance, management accounts and Group reporting.Strong systems capability, with experience of ERP enhancement, process improvement or finance transformation particularly attractive.An understanding of working capital, cash management, financial governance and the reporting disciplines required within a growing business.A pragmatic, hands-on and collaborative leadership style, combining attention to detail with a broader commercial perspective.The ambition and potential to take on greater responsibility as the business and finance function continue to develop.Previous private equity experience would be advantageous but is not essential. Of greater importance is the ability to operate effectively within a dynamic, performance-focused organisation undergoing change and investment.Career DevelopmentThis appointment offers a particularly attractive opportunity for an ambitious finance leader seeking a clear pathway towards a broader executive finance role.Alongside significant exposure to the Group CFO, Finance Director and wider leadership team, there is the opportunity to assume Company Secretary responsibilities within the first year, subject to suitability and business requirements.Importantly, the Group also envisages potential progression to a Finance Director position within approximately three years, dependent on individual performance and organisational development.For an individual seeking to combine immediate responsibility with genuine longer-term career potential, this represents an opportunity to join a substantial, well-invested business at a defining stage in its development.For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact Daryl Harper or Michael Dickson at FWB.