Financial Controller

East Kent £70k - £75k + Bonus Hybrid Working

Exclusive Opportunity via Cobb & Jones Recruitment

Shape the Finance Function of a High-Growth Success Story

Cobb & Jones Recruitment are proud to be the exclusive recruitment partner for this exciting Financial Controller opportunity.

Having successfully introduced the business's Fractional CFO / Finance Director, who has helped steer the organisation through a period of exceptional growth over the last 12 months, we are now supporting the appointment of a commercially minded and ambitious Financial Controller who will work directly alongside him as the business enters its next phase of expansion.

This is far more than a traditional month-end reporting role. It is an opportunity to become a key member of the leadership team within a privately-owned, highly profitable business that has doubled turnover over the last year and is forecasting continued significant growth across the UK and Europe.

If you enjoy building teams, improving processes, driving performance and partnering with senior stakeholders across a business, this role offers genuine influence and the chance to leave a lasting mark.

Why Join This Business?

This is a business with a compelling growth story and an exciting future.

Operating within a specialist market with a highly established and loyal customer base, the company has built an enviable reputation and occupies a position where direct competition is limited. Combining both product and service-based revenue streams, it has developed a resilient and profitable model that continues to gain momentum.

Key attractions include:

• Privately-owned, entrepreneurial business with clear growth ambitions
• Revenue has doubled over the last 12 months
• Strong EBITDA performance and healthy financial foundations
• Growing presence across the UK, with increasing sales activity throughout Europe
• Significant investment in people, systems and infrastructure
• A leadership team that genuinely values the contribution finance can make to commercial decision-making
• Opportunity to help shape the future finance function as the business scales

Most importantly, finance is viewed as a genuine business partner rather than simply a reporting function. The wider leadership team actively welcomes insight, challenge and support from finance, creating an environment where your contribution will have real impact.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Fractional CFO / FD, you will take ownership of the day-to-day financial management of the business whilst helping prepare the organisation for its next stage of growth.

You'll lead a small finance team, strengthen financial controls, enhance reporting capabilities and play a key role in several strategic projects, including an imminent ERP implementation.

This is a hands-on Financial Controller position suited to an individual who enjoys balancing operational finance responsibilities with commercial involvement and business improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Control

• Lead the production of monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow reporting
• Deliver accurate and timely financial information to support decision-making
• Own budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis processes
• Ensure robust financial controls and governance across the business
• Manage relationships with external accountants and relevant advisers

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of finance professionals
• Allocate workloads and ensure delivery against key deadlines
• Drive accountability, capability and continuous improvement within the finance function
• Create a high-performing finance team capable of supporting future business growth

Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Monitor and optimise cash flow performance
• Manage stock, debtors and creditor cycles effectively
• Support foreign currency management requirements
• Improve working capital and liquidity management processes

VAT, Compliance & Technical Finance

• Take ownership of VAT compliance and reporting
• Review and enhance VAT processes as the business grows internationally
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and HMRC requirements

Commercial Business Partnering

• Partner with Procurement, Operations, Sales and Marketing teams
• Provide insight into margins, pricing and profitability
• Support decision-making around purchasing, inventory and supplier relationships
• Translate financial performance into actionable commercial recommendations

Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead the finance workstream of an imminent ERP implementation project
• Improve existing processes, controls and reporting capability
• Drive automation and efficiencies across the finance function
• Ensure data integrity and scalability of finance systems

Key Focus Areas During Your First 12 Months

The successful individual will play a critical role in:

• Leading and developing the finance team
• Establishing best-in-class financial controls and reporting
• Enhancing and future-proofing VAT processes
• Taking ownership of a significant ERP implementation project
• Strengthening finance business partnering across Procurement, Operations, Sales and Marketing
• Supporting the CFO / FD in scaling the finance function for continued rapid growth

About You

We're looking for an experienced finance professional who combines technical excellence with strong commercial awareness.

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified (or equivalent)
• Currently operating as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager or Senior Finance Manager
• Experienced within an SME environment
• Comfortable managing and developing finance teams
• Skilled in producing meaningful management information and commercial insight
• Experienced in driving process improvements and systems enhancements
• Confident partnering with non-finance stakeholders
• Hands-on, proactive and comfortable working within a fast-moving, entrepreneurial business

Experience within a product-based, stockholding, distribution, manufacturing or trading environment would be particularly advantageous.

What's On Offer?

• £70k - £75k
• Bonus
• Hybrid Working