UK Finance Manager

Sampling Innovations Europe; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging solutions provider in Haywards Heath is seeking a qualified Accountant to join their UK Finance Team. You will manage the finance function, prepare management accounts, and oversee invoicing processes in a friendly environment within the beauty industry. Ideal candidates will be proactive team players with strong skills in SAGE and Excel. The role offers a competitive salary and an annual bonus.

Benefits

Salary £55k to £65k

Annual bonus related to performance

20-day annual leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Experience in an SME business environment.
• Ability to manage financial analysis and project budgets.
• Good understanding of cashflow and reconciliations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the finance function and provide financial analysis.
• Manage invoices and ensure prompt payments.
• Prepare management accounts and VAT returns.
• Support the Finance Director on bespoke projects.

Skills

Cloud-based SAGE accounting package

Microsoft Office with strong Excel skills

Enthusiastic team player

Valid UK driving licence

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACA or ACCA)

Job description

About the role

Are you interesting in a Finance role within the exciting beauty industry, for a company selling custom designed packaging solutions into brands and retailers?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to support our UK Finance Team. Your focus will be to support and oversee the finance function of the company with a view to providing up to date financial analysis of both individual projects and the wider company performance.

You will be working for a company with a manufacturing site in Spain and a diverse client base of both established and up and coming brands or retailers, across niche, mass and premium markets within the UK beauty industry.

You will be based in our Haywards Heath office in West Sussex, reporting directly to the UK Finance Director.

The ideal candidate will have a genuine passion for working within a friendly growing company within the beauty industry. An enthusiastic personality and a desire to work in a pro‑active team environment are essential.

Key Responsibilities

1. Liaising and supervising a Finance Assistant to advise/oversee the posting of daily transactions, reviewing bank reconciliation and cashflow.
2. Managing invoices: preparing, checking and sending client invoices, and ensuring prompt payment. Checking and approval of supplier invoices.
3. Overseeing the preparation of monthly/quarterly management accounts from SAGE reports. A focus on cashflow, reconciliations and work in progress. Assisting with the preparation and submission of annual accounts, reporting to the Finance and Commercial Directors on the accounts.
4. Preparation of VAT workings and the submission of VAT returns on a quarterly basis.
5. Managing and preparing Excel spreadsheets to record the progress of projects, checking costings and sales on a project‑by‑project basis, agreeing and closing these to budget and completing job summaries for review.
6. Dealing with the import & export implications of Brexit, including the preparation of additional commercial invoices related to the transport of goods between the UK and Europe. Liaising with colleagues in Spain and reconciling invoices and balances between Sampling Innovations Europe UK and Sampling Innovations Europe Spain.
7. Assisting the Finance Director on bespoke projects and undertaking financial analysis where necessary of both income and expenditure. Reviewing or preparing budgets or projects (as required).
8. Building strong internal relationships across all departments.

Knowledge, Experience and Work Skills Needed

• Qualified Accountant (ACA or ACCA) with experience working in an SME business environment.
• Ability to use a cloud‑based SAGE accounting package.
• IT ability – in particular Microsoft Office with a very strong emphasis on working with Excel and spreadsheets.
• Good team player with enthusiasm & positive mentality.
• Valid UK driving licence.

BENEFITS

• Basic salary £55k to £65k (dependent on previous relevant experience).
• Annual bonus related to company / personal performance.
• 20‑day annual leave plus bank holidays plus office closure between Christmas & New Year.

Sampling Innovations Europe

With over 30 years of experience in the fragrance, beauty and personal care industry, Sampling Innovations Europe offer a complete full service from design and production, through to the promotion and distribution of promotional samples, gift packs or single dose retail products. We are experts in total project management, developing profitable and innovative items for all kinds of campaigns, always taking into account the client’s brand, product, target audience and budget. We work with niche, mass market and luxury brands and retailers.

With offices in the UK, France and at our factory in Spain, our multidisciplinary team are experts in many areas, such as creative ideas for the design and distribution of the final product, the compatibility between bulk products and packaging materials, different printing technologies, suitable packaging formats and logistics.