Zanda is an Executive Search partner working exclusively with high-growth start-ups and scale-ups as they strengthen their organisations with senior talent. Zanda partners with VCs, Founders, CEOs, and CFOs to deliver critical leadership appointments, on both an interim and permanent basis, at pivotal moments of growth.
WHO’S THE BUSINESS
We are supporting a rapidly scaling, founder-led consumer brand operating across the UK and EU, with complex logistics, multi-entity structures and high-volume inventory at its core.
The business is entering a critical phase of growth and requires a commercially astute finance leader to safeguard financial integrity, drive performance insight and build institutional-grade controls. This is a no1 role and will be the indispensable operational and strategic partner to the Founders.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
You will take full ownership of the finance function, building robust forecasting, controls and reporting processes to support UK and EU growth. This is a hands‑on leadership role combining commercial insight, financial rigour and operational control.
- Own the annual budget and rolling 12‑month forecast, driving robust assumptions across sales, pricing, COGS and overheads.
- Lead detailed margin and profitability analysis by product, channel and market, identifying opportunities to improve performance.
- Build strategic financial models covering capex, logistics changes and fundraising scenarios.
- Manage the full month‑end, quarter‑end and year‑end close, delivering accurate management accounts and investor‑ready reporting.
- Take tight control of working capital, including inventory, receivables and payables, optimising cash flow and minimising stock risk.
- Oversee statutory reporting, VAT/tax compliance and multi‑entity consolidation across the UK and EU.
- Design and implement scalable processes, controls and SOPs across the business.
- Act as ERP owner and super user, ensuring accurate integration between stock and financial ledgers.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Fully Qualified Accountant: ACCA, CIMA, ACA, or equivalent is a must
- Minimum 3+ years’ experience in a senior accountant or Financial Controller role within CPG/FMCG. Deep, practical understanding of COGS, landed costs, variance analysis and high‑volume stock management.
- Strong experience in multi‑currency accounting and complex consolidations. Advanced Excel and Office 365 capability, including Power Query and Power BI. ERP experience essential; Unleashed experience advantageous.
- A builder, not a maintainer. Comfortable challenging assumptions, implementing controls and translating financial insight for non‑finance founders.
- Comfortable operating at pace. Mission‑driven, but grounded firmly in cash flow, margin discipline and financial reality.
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