Mandarin Speaking Finance Manager

ABL; Erith; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food industry is seeking a sharp, detail-driven Mandarin Speaking Finance Manager to lead financial operations. This role involves partnering with senior leadership and teams across the UK manufacturing site and European sales network. The ideal candidate is a qualified accountant with over 5 years in manufacturing or FMCG, possessing strong analytical skills and the ability to influence decision-making. This position offers a permanent, full-time commitment in Erith.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in manufacturing, FMCG, food production, or similar sectors.
• Proven ability to partner with operational teams and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience in scaling businesses, multi-entity finance, or European markets is highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function, ensuring accurate accounting, reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Work closely with production, supply chain, and sales teams to improve cost efficiency and margin performance.
• Manage working capital, cash flow, and financial risks effectively.

Skills

Fluent Mandarin

Fluent English

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

Stakeholder influence

Analytical skills

Proactive attitude

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

This is a leading player in the food industry who is looking for a sharp, detail-driven Mandarin Speaking Finance Manager to join the dynamic team. This role sits at the heart of the business, partnering closely with senior leadership, operations, commercial, and supply chain teams. You will have full visibility across the UK manufacturing site and European sales network, making this an ideal position for a finance leader who wants to drive performance, influence decision-making, and shape the company's financial future.

Mandarin Speaking Finance Manager

Location: Erith

Job Type: Permanent, full-time

Salary (phone number removed)

Language required: Fluent Mandarin and English

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Management

• Lead the finance function, ensuring accurate accounting, reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and financial statements for senior leadership.
• Drive financial planning, cash flow forecasting, and long-term business modelling.

Business Partnering

• Work closely with production, supply chain, and sales teams to improve cost efficiency and margin performance.
• Analyse production costs, raw materials, labour efficiencies, and yield performance.
• Provide commercial insight to support pricing decisions, product profitability, and investment strategy.

Operational Finance & Controls

• Manage working capital, cash flow, and financial risks effectively.
• Strengthen financial systems, internal controls, and compliance processes.
• Oversee year-end audits and liaise with external advisors.

Strategic Projects

• Support expansion initiatives, new product investments, and capacity upgrades.
• Lead financial evaluations of capital expenditure, automation projects, and new market entry.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and digitalisation of finance processes.

Skill and Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent).
• 5+ years' experience in manufacturing, FMCG, food production, or similar sectors.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting and factory finance.
• Proven ability to partner with operational teams and influence senior stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical and modelling skills.
• Hands‑on, proactive, confident in fast‑paced environments.
• Experience in scaling businesses, multi‑entity finance, or European markets is highly advantageous.