Financial Controller

Smurfit Kappa Group; Hilcote; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & bonus

Company car or allowance and benefits

Pension and Cycle to Work scheme

Ongoing training and development

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Financial Controller to lead the site Finance function at Markham Vale, reporting to the General Manager with a dotted line to the UK CFO. The role drives financial control, reporting integrity, and strategic decision support to improve profitability and efficiency.

You will own monthly close, budgeting, forecasting, and capital oversight, while developing the Finance team and partnering with site operations to influence key business outcomes.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with experience in financial control, reporting and audit.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams.
• Experience delivering budgets, forecasts and monthly close processes.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close process, delivering high-quality reporting and variance analysis.
• Develop budgets and forecasts to support operational and strategic decisions.
• Lead, coach and develop the Finance team to high performance.
• Partner with site operations to provide financial insight and drive profitability.
• Ensure governance, internal controls and audit readiness across the site.
• Support senior leadership with cost, profitability and performance insights.

Skills

Financial leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Analytical ability

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

Fully qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ICAEW/CIPFA)

Tools

SAP

Navision

BI tools

Job description

Join Our Team at Smurfit Westrock!

Are you searching for a workplace that values you and your growth? At Smurfit Westrock, we’re committed to sustainability, employee well-being, and personal development.

About Us

We are a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging. Our focus is on the health and safety of our employees, the well-being of our communities, and delivering exceptional service to our customers. We support our team members to reach their full potential in an inclusive environment that values diversity.

The Role

We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a Financial Controller to join our team at our Markham Vale site. As Financial Controller, you will lead the site Finance function, ensuring robust financial control, accurate reporting, and full compliance with Group and statutory requirements. Reporting to the General Manager (with a dotted line to the UK CFO), you will play a key role as part of the Site Senior Management Team.

This is a highly visible leadership role where you will provide financial insight, drive performance, and support strategic decision-making to enhance profitability and operational efficiency.

Financial Control, Reporting & Compliance

• Ensure integrity, accuracy and timeliness of all financial reporting in line with statutory and Group requirements
• Own the monthly close process, delivering high-quality reporting and insightful variance analysis
• Maintain a robust control environment, ensuring audit readiness and regulatory compliance
• Ensure the integrity of financial systems and processes, leveraging data to support effective decision-making
• Manage working capital, cash flow and cost control across the site

Planning & Performance

• Develop robust budgets and forecasts that support both operational and strategic decision‑making
• Provide financial insight and analysis to improve profitability and drive business performance
• Track and evaluate capital expenditure and investment decisions

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach and develop the Finance team to deliver high performance and continuous improvement
• Set clear objectives, manage performance, and build capability across the team
• Champion a culture of accountability, collaboration and efficiency

Business Partnering & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted finance partner across the plant, working closely with operational teams
• Communicate financial information clearly and influence a wide range of stakeholders
• Be highly visible across the site, actively engaging with teams and contributing to key business decisions
• Support the Senior Leadership Team with insight on cost, profitability, and operational performance

Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure strong compliance with Group policies, internal controls and audit standards
• Make timely, well‑informed decisions aligned to business objectives and Group frameworks
• Lead and support initiatives to improve systems, reporting and financial processesDemonstrate behaviours aligned with senior leadership expectations and company values

Essential:

• Fully qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ICAEW/CIPFA or equivalent)
• Strong experience in financial control, reporting, and audit within a complex environment
• Proven track record of leading and developing teams
• Experience delivering budgets, forecasts, and monthly close processes
• Strong analytical, communication, and organisational skills

Desirable:

• Manufacturing or multi‑site experience
• Knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Navision) and BI tools
• Experience with SOX or shared service environments

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, bonus, company car or allowance& benefits, including annual leave, pension, and a Cycle to Work scheme
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• 24/7 confidential support for you and your family
• Flexible working options and family‑friendly policies
• Guaranteed interview for candidates meeting essential criteria (Disability Confident Employer)

Smurfit Westrock reserve the right to only shortlist candidates who meet both the Essential and Desirable Criteria.

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their sex; religious or similar philosophical belief; political opinion; race; age; sexual orientation; or, whether they are married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled; or whether they have undergone, are undergoing or intend to undergo gender reassignment.

We practice equality of opportunity in employment and select the best person for the job.