Finance Director

About JPL Flavours

JPL Flavours is founded and operated by flavourists and is built upon the principles of creativity, integrity, and genuine relationships. The company prides itself on straightforward, honest communication and a commitment to delivering quality flavour solutions with energy and flexibility, challenging the conventional flavour industry standards.

Role Overview

The Finance Director, as a crucial member of the Senior Leadership Team, will provide strategic financial leadership to fuel JPL Flavours' growth, profitability, and operational success. This position involves crafting and implementing the company’s financial strategies, ensuring effective financial controls, delivering commercial insight, and protecting long-term financial health.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with corporate goals.
• Serve as a trusted financial advisor to the Managing Director and senior leaders.
• Support growth initiatives via detailed financial planning and commercial analysis.
• Identify ways to enhance profitability, operational efficiency, and cash flow.
• Lead financial due diligence for acquisitions and partnerships.
• Create financial models and scenario analyses for business decisions.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial reporting.
• Produce monthly management accounts and reports for the board.
• Monitor and compare business performance with budgets and strategic objectives.
• Handle banking relationships and funding arrangements.
• Ensure optimal management of working capital and cash resources.
• Deliver financial and operational key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor business health.
• Drive margin enhancements via detailed product profitability and production performance analysis.
• Oversee inventory valuation, stock controls, and cost accounting.
• Collaborate with Operations and Purchasing to manage raw material cost inflation.
• Analyze production efficiency, labor expenses, waste, and yield metrics.
• Support pricing strategies and contract negotiations with customers through commercial evaluations.
• Assess capital expenditure and investment opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards, tax laws, and statutory requirements.
• Lead year-end audits and maintain relationships with external auditors and advisors.
• Maintain strong financial controls and governance frameworks.
• Develop and manage risk management processes.
• Lead, mentor, and expand the finance team fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Enhance finance systems, reporting, and business intelligence capabilities.
• Support ERP and other technology projects for financial transformation.
• Promote data-driven decision making across the organization.

Accountabilities

• Achieving annual EBITDA and profitability targets.
• Sustaining healthy cash flow and effective working capital management.
• Ensuring precise and timely financial reporting.
• Managing financial risks and compliance obligations.
• Improving gross margins and manufacturing profitability.
• Backing business growth and strategic investments.
• Building a competent and motivated finance function.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA certified).
• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated senior finance leadership experience.
• Background in manufacturing, food production, flavourings, ingredients, or FMCG sectors.
• Proven success in steering financial strategies and improving business performance.
• Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and financial controls.
• Experience presenting financial information to Board members.
• Track record of leading and developing finance teams.

Key Skills

• Commercial acumen and strategic financial thinking.
• Advanced financial analysis and modeling proficiency.
• Strong stakeholder management and business partnering.
• Effective communication and influence skills.
• Leadership capabilities with team development focus.
• Integrity, professionalism, and meticulous attention to detail.

Desirable Attributes

• Experience within flavourings, food ingredients, or B2B manufacturing sectors.
• Background supporting international business expansion.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and finance transformation initiatives.
• Experience in acquisition processes and integration activities.

Personal Characteristics

• Commercially driven with a focus on results.
• Strategic thinker balancing long-term vision with operational execution.
• Confident and credible leadership style.
• Proactive problem-solving approach.
• Sound decision-making abilities.
• Collaborative and approachable management manner.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.