Join an established fresh produce business as they navigate a significant transition period, leading both finance and HR functions in this broad senior role.
£65,000 - £75,000 | 18 Month Contract (Initially starting 5 days a week, reducing to 2 days from March 2027) | Maidstone, Kent
MorePeople are working with a well established business within the fresh produce sector to recruit an experienced Interim Finance Manager.
This is a broad, senior role combining financial leadership with responsibility for HR and administration. Reporting to the Managing & Sales Director, you will take ownership of the finance function, provide commercial insight to the senior leadership team and Board, and lead a small finance and administration team. The business is also going through a period of significant transition, so the role will play an important part in ensuring strong financial control, business continuity and effective planning through this period.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day finance, HR and administration functions
- Manage and develop a small team of Finance & Administration Assistants
- Prepare and present monthly and quarterly management accounts, forecasts and Board reporting
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management and working capital analysis
- Provide commercial analysis and financial advice to the Managing & Sales Director and Board
- Oversee statutory accounts, audit, VAT, tax coordination and regulatory reporting
- Manage banking relationships, payment processes and treasury requirements
- Oversee monthly payroll, pensions, benefits and associated compliance
- Manage the company's insurance and risk requirements
- Support the Audit Committee and Board with financial reporting and governance
- Oversee grower payments, account sales, reconciliations and related finance processes
- Lead HR administration, including employee records, contracts, absence, recruitment and employee relations
- Work with external HR, employment and professional advisers as required
- Support the financial and people related requirements of the business through its transition and closure process
What we're looking for
We are looking for a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong financial management experience and a hands-on approach.
You will have:
- Significant management accounting and statutory reporting experience
- Strong budgeting, forecasting and cashflow skills
- Experience managing a finance team
- Strong audit, governance and compliance experience
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with Sage or a similar accounting system
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- The ability to work independently, prioritise effectively and operate confidently with senior stakeholders
- Experience overseeing HR administration and employee records
Experience within fresh produce, agriculture, horticulture or a grower based business would be advantageous, as would experience of Board/Audit Committee reporting, complex grower payments or working within a restructuring, transition or closure environment.
The Role
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced interim finance professional to take a genuinely broad role within an established fresh produce business, combining financial leadership, commercial support, HR oversight and change management. If you are a qualified accountant who enjoys being hands on, can operate comfortably at Board level and is looking for an interim assignment where you can make a meaningful impact, we would be keen to hear from you.
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