Commercial Finance Director

COREcruitment; Crawley; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK manufacturer specializing in alcoholic cocktails is seeking a Commercial Finance Director to lead the finance function as they grow. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with substantial FMCG experience, taking charge of financial performance alignment with company growth, overseeing audits, and managing budgets. Strong Excel and communication skills are essential for this dynamic role.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Finance Managerial role covering all areas of finance.
• Ability to thrive in fast-changing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance and commercial function, aligning performance with growth objectives.
• Manage all core finance operations with strong internal controls.
• Oversee budgets and forecasts, analysing variances for profitability.

Skills

Qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent)

Experience in FMCG industry

Advanced Excel skills

Data management and reporting

Team player with strong communication skills

Understanding of IT network systems

Adaptable and solution-oriented

Education

Qualifications in accounting (ACCA, ACA, CIMA)

Job description

Overview

I’m working with a UK-based manufacturer specialising in alcoholic cocktails. They are scaling the business nationally and positioning themselves as a market leader in the on-trade and off-trade. They are looking for a hands-on Commercial Finance Director to lead the finance function and support the growth of the business. The role will be split across supporting the Finance division of the business and other responsibilities, such as IT and Properties.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the finance and commercial function, aligning financial and operational performance with company growth objectives, and advising the MD and Board on strategy, profitability, and market expansion.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting across the UK in compliance with UK GAAP and local regulations; oversee audits, tax compliance, and excise duty obligations.
• Deliver monthly management accounts, KPI dashboards, and profitability reports for both production and sales channels; provide actionable insights on sales performance, product margins, and cost trends to inform strategic decisions.
• Develop and manage budgets and forecasts, including production, sales, and marketing spend; analyse variances and recommend actions to optimise profitability and working capital.
• Oversee cash flow, working capital, and banking relationships, ensuring liquidity and efficiency across production, export, and domestic operations.
• Manage all core finance operations (payroll, ledgers, stock, COGS, revenue recognition) while ensuring strong internal controls, compliance with alcohol duty regulations, and continuous process improvements.
• Lead the IT and systems function, ensuring ERP, reporting, and e-commerce platforms support commercial operations, financial analysis, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee property, lease, and rental obligations for production and storage facilities, negotiating terms, managing costs, and ensuring alignment with operational requirements.
• Partner closely with sales, production, operations, and marketing teams to drive commercial decision-making, optimise route-to-market strategies, and maximise profitability across on-trade and off-trade channels.
• Support strategic initiatives such as new market entry, product launches, and partnership deals, providing financial modelling, scenario planning, and commercial insight.

The successful candidate

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent) is preferable.
• Experience within the FMCG industry, ideally in a F&B business.
• Experience of being in a Finance Managerial role covering all areas of the finance function
• Experience in data management and reporting
• Advanced Excel skills, including complex formulae (e.g., VLOOKUP, IFERROR) and the ability to build and analyse pivot tables
• A solid understanding of IT network systems
• Team player with strong numeracy and verbal communication skills
• Adaptable, solution-oriented, and able to thrive in fast-changing environments