Finance Manager

AUTAJON GROUP; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

35 days holiday

Free on-site parking

Sick pay scheme

Newly renovated office environment

Career development potential

Job summary

Autajon Group in the UK seeks a Finance Manager to lead a small transactional finance team, embed strong controls, and drive automation across processes.

You will own month-end, guide system changes, and work closely with the UK Finance Director to modernise finance reporting as part of a broader transformation.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant ACA/ACCA/CIMA or QBE with relevant experience.
• Experience in a Finance Manager or Senior Management Accountant role.
• Experience in manufacturing or similar environment advantageous.
• Strong drive for change and automation of processes.
• Comfortable working where processes are evolving.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations and close processes.
• Lead and develop a small transactional finance team.
• Embed strong financial controls and drive process improvements.
• Automate manual workflows and modernise reporting tools.

Skills

Qualified accountant

Team leadership

Excel skills

Systems literacy

Automation

Education

ACA / ACCA / CIMA or QBE

Tools

Sage 50

Sage X3

Priority accounting

Job description

Autajon is a family-owned industrial group, where each employee is a 'Connected Entrepreneur'.

Well-established in the Luxury Goods, Perfumes & Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, Wines & Spirits and Confectionery & Specialties markets, we are broadening our international presence by integrating locally-active sites that share our DNA. Together, we are committed to supporting our customers by providing them with high-performance, sustainable services in the world of cases, labels, boxes and point-of-sale displays.

With more than 50 years of know-how, we create customized, innovative solutions that are always responsive to environmental and social issues. We employ more than 4,000 people across 41 human-scale sites, who contribute to generate sales of 800 millions euros.

Authentic, sharing common values, we recruit individuals who are looking for a personal and collective adventure.

Finance Manager

Following a period of organisational change, the business has renewed its focus on modernisation, culture and continuous improvement. We are looking for candidates who share this outlook.

To support our ambitious plans, we are looking for a proficient and driven Finance Manager to take responsibility for our small, transactional finance team. We are looking for an individual who can not only embed strong financial controls but also possesses a genuine interest in automation and the modernisation of finance processes to improve efficiency.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity for someone who is either qualified or qualified by experience (QBE), with the personality, energy, and passion to make a real impact; working in an exciting environment as we prepare to move into newly renovated premises.

Responsibilities

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a hands-on role within a business that is evolving and improving its processes and systems. There is a real opportunity to make changes, drive efficiencies, and modernise the finance function.

You will take ownership of the day-to-day finance operations, lead month-end processes, and support the development of a small finance team, while actively contributing to process improvements and system enhancements.

Key Responsibilities

Team Management

• Oversee daily financial operations, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across all core processes
• Optimise processes in Sage & Priority accounting systems.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop transactional finance team members

Ledger Control

• Manage banking activities, including reconciliations
• Oversee the preparation and processing of customer invoicing on a regular basis, ensuring timely and accurate billing
• Oversee purchase ledger activities, ensuring supplier transactions are processed effectively
• Manage credit control processes to optimise cash collection and reduce risk
• Review and reconcile payroll-related financial data on a monthly basis

Reporting

• Ownership of the month-end close process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Prepare accurate monthly management accounts & balance sheet reconciliations in line with international group deadlines.
• Manage timely & accurate ONS & VAT submissions
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Work closely with UK Finance Director to regularly review reporting.

Compliance & Audit

• Support with external audit processes, coordinating required information and documentation
• Assist with year-end processes and preparation of statutory financial statements

Continuous Improvement

• Build and maintain strong internal relationships across departments
• Identify opportunities to improve financial controls and drive operational efficiencies
• Drive improvements within the finance function, moving away from manual and paper-based processes by automating manual transactional workflows and modernising financial reporting tools.
• Assist with system developments, including the transition from Sage 50 to Sage X3

Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Candidate Profile

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) or QBE with strong relevant experience
• Previous experience in a Finance Manager or Senior Management Accountant role
• Experience within manufacturing or a similar environment is advantageous
• A strong, proactive personality someone who will challenge the status quo and drive change
• Ambitious and motivated, with a desire to progress and make a tangible impact
• Comfortable working in an environment where processes are still developing
• Demonstratable interest and passion for financial automation, improving systems, processes, and modernising ways of working
• Experience managing or mentoring a small team
• Strong Excel skills and general systems literacy

Benefits

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/BENEFITS

• COMPETITIVE SALARY
• 35 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Opportunity to work out of a newly renovated, modern working environment.
• The stability and resources of a highly successful international parent group.
• Company Sick Pay Scheme
• Free On-site Parking
• Opportunity to join a growing international business with strong career development potential