Group Head of Finance
Location: Membury
Department: Returns
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Reports to: Managing Director
Salary: Competitive package, dependent on experience
Role Overview
The Group Head of Finance will form part of the senior leadership team, leading the finance function across the company’s UK and EU entities, overseeing financial strategy, planning, reporting, controls, and commercial performance. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the role combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational finance responsibility within a fast-paced and rapidly growing logistics business.
Leading a team of four, the successful candidate will ensure financial discipline across all logistics operations while supporting the company’s ambitious growth plans and operational efficiency objectives.
The role will oversee financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management, while providing strategic financial insight to support decision-making across the business. The Group Head of Finance will also play a key role in cost control, customer contract profitability analysis and operational performance.
About the Company
Walker Logistics is a values-driven, family-run third-party logistics business with a proud history and ambitious plans for the future.
Founded in 1999, we have grown from a single converted aircraft hangar near Membury Airfield into an established logistics partner supporting more than 50 UK and international brands.
Operating from our own freehold premises, we provide warehousing, omni-channel fulfilment, bonded warehousing, distribution and end-delivery services through a network of selected partners.
With annual turnover of approximately £20 million and operations spanning the UK and Europe, we remain firmly rooted in the principles on which the business was built: strong relationships, personal responsibility, high service standards and long-term partnerships.
We are large enough to offer complexity, opportunity and genuine influence, but still agile enough for senior leaders to make a visible and meaningful impact.
We are Organised as a Team, Committed as a family.
Our values guide how we work and who we are becoming:
Dynamic — Dynamic by Design
We bring energy and agility to our work. We respond quickly, adapt confidently and turn challenges into opportunities.
Ambitious — Ambition Under Pressure
We set bold goals, take ownership and remain focused on delivering results that create lasting value for our customers, colleagues and shareholders.
Evolving — Evolving with Purpose
We learn from experience, challenge established ways of working and continuously improve our systems, processes and performance.
We are positioned as an SME with approximately £20m turnover and have built our reputation on working closely with customers, delivering high service standards, and developing long-term partnerships.
As a fast-paced and rapidly growing business, we maintain high standards and a strong performance culture, while offering an enjoyable and inclusive working environment. The role provides the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the future direction of the company, contribute to key decision-making, and be part of a collaborative leadership team, alongside a strong overall commercial package.
About You
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Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
- Proven experience in a senior finance leadership role.
- Strong cash flow management and commercial finance experience.
- Comfortable operating within a hands-on, fast-moving SME environment.
- Able to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.
- A strong relationship builder, capable of developing effective working relationships with the finance team, senior management, company directors, customers, suppliers, and external partners.
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Experience within SMEs, owner-managed businesses, logistics, operations, or fast-growth environments would be advantageous.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead and manage the finance function, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting
- Develop and execute the company’s financial strategy in line with business growth objectives, providing strategic financial insight and support to the senior leadership team.
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Identify and manage financial and operational risks, ensuring appropriate controls and governance frameworks are maintained,
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Take ownership of the annual budgeting process and quarterly forecasting cycles.
- Lead financial appraisal of capital investment opportunities, operational improvements, and business expansion initiatives.
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Analyse financial performance and provide recommendations to improve profitability
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Monitor key financial metrics across logistics operations, including warehouse costs, transportation margins, and customer contract profitability.
- Drive cost optimisation initiatives across warehousing, labour, and transport operations.
- Develop financial models to support new customer contracts, site opportunities, and business expansion initiatives.
- Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
- Maintain strong financial controls and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
- Manage external audits, tax compliance, statutory reporting, and relationships with external advisers and the company’s banking partner.
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Oversee cash flow management and liquidity planning across the business.
- Optimise working capital, including receivables, payables, and inventory-related financial impacts.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team.
- Build scalable financial processes and systems to support future business growth.
- Improve financial systems, reporting tools, and automation across finance operations.
- Work closely with operational systems, including WMS and UKG platforms, to streamline invoicing processes and improve operational efficiency wherever possible.
What Our Values Look Like in This Role
Energy
You bring momentum to the finance function, keep important actions moving and ensure financial priorities do not lose focus.
Agility
You respond quickly to changing circumstances, adapt forecasts and priorities when required, and remain composed during periods of pressure.
Drive
You take ownership of financial performance, follow issues through to resolution and maintain high standards across the function.
Vision
You look beyond monthly results and help the business understand the long-term financial consequences of its decisions.
Growth
You develop your team, welcome constructive feedback and use lessons from past performance to strengthen future results.
Innovation
You challenge inefficient processes, improve financial systems and turn practical ideas into measurable business improvements.
If you are looking to join a fast-paced, growing business where you can make a genuine impact, contribute to key decision-making, and play a central role in the company’s future development, we would be delighted to hear from you.
