Finance Director

About the Company and Opportunity

This prominent multi-site retail organisation based in Cheshire has a proud history and a solid reputation for serving customers throughout the UK. Recently transformed and returned to sustainable profitability, the company is poised for further expansion and growth. This role offers a unique chance to join at a pivotal moment, with the Finance Director not only providing excellent financial leadership but also acting as a close business partner alongside the Managing Director to influence strategic direction and operational enhancements.

Role Overview

As Finance Director, you will be accountable for leading the finance department to maintain exemplary financial control, accurate reporting, strong governance, and compliance standards. Beyond the core finance remit, you will collaborate closely with the Managing Director to tackle complex business challenges, ensure effective operational execution, and embed improvements across various divisions. This position requires a proactive and entrepreneurial leader comfortable with a fast-paced environment and eager to impact the broader business landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the finance team to uphold best practices in financial reporting, controls, compliance, and corporate governance.
• Develop and implement financial strategy aligned with overall business objectives.
• Serve as the Senior Accounting Officer in liaison with HMRC.
• Manage working capital, oversee cashflow, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
• Provide insightful commercial analysis to guide business performance and inform strategic choices.
• Partner closely with the Managing Director to address multifaceted business issues across departments.
• Support initiatives aimed at operational improvement throughout the organisation.
• Present comprehensive financial and operational results to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Identify and drive opportunities to enhance efficiency, profitability, and long-term organisational health.

Candidate Profile

• Qualified accountant with demonstrable experience as a Finance Director in multi-site retail or consumer sectors.
• Strong expertise in financial control, reporting, governance, cash flow management, financial planning & analysis, and working capital optimisation.
• Commercially astute with the skill to convert financial data into actionable business decisions.
• Comfortable engaging beyond traditional finance boundaries to take ownership of broader business challenges.
• Capable of influencing at board level, challenging senior leadership constructively, and commanding credibility.
• Resilient and decisive, able to make challenging decisions under pressure.
• Thrives in a dynamic, fast-moving environment and owns complex problem-solving efforts.
• Natural trust-builder and a true strategic partner to executive leadership, particularly the Managing Director.

Why Join

• Play a key role in shaping the future of a well-known multi-site retail business.
• Occupy the primary finance leadership position with extensive influence throughout the company.
• Work closely with the Managing Director and engage with group leadership.
• Opportunity to expand your role beyond finance into overall business direction.
• Highly visible leadership role offering autonomy and accountability.

Equal Opportunity

Zachary Daniels and its client are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and are equal opportunity employers.