Head of Financial Business Services

Premier Foods; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Premier Foods seeks a Head of Financial Business Services to lead the Manchester-based shared service center. This strategic role involves managing a team across financial functions, driving excellence, and transforming processes. Candidates should be qualified accountants with leadership experience, passionate about finance and team development. The opportunity includes a competitive salary, hybrid working model, and influence over key business decisions.

Benefits

Competitive senior-level package

Flexible working environment

Exposure to senior leadership

Qualifications

• Expertise in AP, AR, Financial Control, Reporting.
• Proven experience leading shared service centers.
• Strong systems expertise with hands-on SAP experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial service delivery during growth and acquisitions.
• Drive finance transformation to modernize systems.
• Develop talent and foster a high-performance culture.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Commercial Acumen

Analytical Skills

Education

Qualified Accountant (CIMA, ACCA, or ACA)

Tools

SAP

Job description

Based: Manchester with Hybrid Working (3 days per week in the office) and periodic visits to St Albans Head Office

Premier Foods is a business with strong momentum and ambitious plans to accelerate growth within the UK and Internationally.

The Head of Financial Business Services is a key role within the Finance Function and the wider business in general. The actions of the Premier Business Services (PBS) team can directly impact revenue, profit, business risk, supplier relationships, customer relationships as well as internal customers and operations.

Lead. Transform. Inspire.

If you're a strategic finance leader who thrives on building high-performing teams and driving operational excellence, this is your opportunity to make a real impact at the heart of a leading business with ambitious growth plans.

We're looking for a Head of Financial Business Services to report to our Group Financial Controller and lead our Manchester-based shared service centre. You'll inspire a talented team across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Record to Report and Payroll—delivering best-in-class financial services, driving process excellence, and championing transformation at scale.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Shaping the future of a modern, agile shared services function.
2. Leading a high-profile transformation journey with visibility and influence across the Group.
3. Managing financial service delivery during growth and acquisitions.

What You'll Be Doing

1. Setting the strategic direction for PBS and leading AR, AP, R2R, and Payroll services.
2. Driving finance transformation to modernise systems, improve controls, and maximise efficiency.
3. Managing risk, compliance, and governance across all PBS processes.
4. Building strong cross-functional relationships across finance, commercial, IT, and audit.
5. Leading a large team—developing talent, creating succession plans, and fostering a high-performance culture.
6. Ensuring all services meet stakeholder expectations through KPIs, SLAs, and continuous improvement plans.

What You'll Bring

1. Qualified Accountant (CIMA, ACCA, or ACA) with strong technical and commercial acumen.
2. Proven experience leading a shared service centre or operating in a senior leadership role within a large-scale finance function.
3. Deep knowledge across core finance areas including AP, AR, Financial Control, Reporting, Commercial Spend, Fixed Assets, and Capex.
4. Strong systems expertise, with hands-on experience of SAP.
5. Experienced people leader, confident managing large, multi-disciplinary teams.
6. Exceptional communicator and influencer, able to build trust and credibility across all levels of the organisation.
7. Comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels—able to see the big picture while diving into the detail when needed.
8. Commercially astute, analytical, and able to deliver at pace in a fast-changing environment.

What You'll Get

1. A competitive senior-level package.
2. A high-impact leadership role with scope to shape the future of Financial Business Services.
3. A hybrid working environment with flexibility and autonomy.
4. The chance to work in a collaborative, values-driven culture focused on growth and continuous improvement.
5. Exposure to senior leadership and influence over key business decisions.

If you're energised by transformation, passionate about people, and motivated by excellence—we'd love to hear from you.

A great British food company

Premier Foods is one of Britain's biggest listed food companies, employing over 4,000 colleagues at 13 manufacturing sites and offices across the country.

Many of our brands have been part of UK life for more than a century, and you'll find them in 90% of British households.

At Premier Foods, we believe in inclusion, authenticity, and individuality. We aim to ensure all colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued, and encouraged to bring their true selves to work, regardless of who they are, what they look like, who they love, or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.