Group Finance Director (UK & Europe)

Cedar; England; On-site; GBP 225,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global FMCG group seeks a Group Finance Director to provide strategic financial leadership across the UK and Europe. You will play a critical role in shaping financial strategy, enhancing performance, and driving value creation initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a strong industry background, be results-oriented, and possess exceptional leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as CFO or FD in a £500M+ turnover business.
• Experience in FMCG, Food, or consumer sector essential.
• Skilled in finance transformation and optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership and governance.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and performance reporting.
• Drive digital finance transformation leveraging technology.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Strategic mindset

Collaboration

Results-driven

Education

Qualified accountant (CIMA/ACA/ACCA)

Tools

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Job description

Group Finance Director (UK & Europe), £1bil t/o FMCG, South-East England, c£225k + up to 50% bonus + benefits

Cedar has been retained by a leading £1bn turnover global FMCG group, operating in 50+ countries. Renowned for innovation, the business champions integrity, collaboration, and industry leadership.

Reporting to the Group CFO, you will provide strategic financial leadership while maintaining a hands-on approach to financial operations. This is a high-impact, Board-level role shaping financial strategy, driving performance, and ensuring governance across the UK and Europe.

You will be instrumental in driving financial performance, enhancing the efficiency and support growth and value creation initiatives, including potential capital markets activity.

Strategic Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Group CFO, MD and CEO, contributing to long-term strategic decision-making
• Help shape and execute the growth agenda, ensuring alignment with commercial goals
• Identify investment, expansion and improvement opportunities to drive value creation

Commercial & Financial Strategy

• Provide financial analysis and insights into margin growth, cost optimisation and profitability
• Develop financial strategies to support business expansion, pricing models and margin improvement
• Partner with commercial leaders to evaluate market trends & customer insights
• Support M&A, JV opportunities, and potential capital markets activity

Operational Excellence

• Lead planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting to enable fast, data-led decisions
• Establish KPI's to provide insight, drive accountability and enhance business performance
• Optimise supply chain and working capital, improving profitability and efficiency

Digital Finance Transformation

• Drive digital finance transformation, leveraging technology to enhance financial reporting, analytics and decision-making
• Lead the adoption of advanced financial systems to drive efficiency, accuracy and strategic insight

Leadership & Talent

• Develop a high-performing finance team across FP&A, reporting, treasury, tax, audit and investor relations, fostering a culture of excellence
• Develop future leaders, ensuring a strong talent pipeline for future leadership

Risk & Compliance

• Ensure financial governance, statutory compliance and tax efficiency
• Maintain consistency in financial reporting and ensuring best practice

Essentials:

• Qualified accountant (CIMA/ACA/ACCA)
• Proven experience as a CFO or FD in a £500M+ t/o complex business
• Experience in FMCG, Food or consumer sector
• Skilled in ERP systems and advanced Excel skills
• Experienced in finance transformation and optimisation
• Familiarity with capital markets activity (IPO preparation, equity/debt fundraising, investor relations) is desirable

Attributes:

• Results-driven & hands-on
• Commercial, strategic mindset, able to partner the CEO & Board
• Confident & adaptable to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong leadership skills able to inspire teams
• Organised, pragmatic & collaborative