Circularity Scotland Limited (CSL) was incorporated in November 2020 and approved by the Scottish Government as the Scheme Administrator for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in March 2021. CSL is the vehicle set up by Members to deliver their collective legal obligations arising from The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020, passed by the Scottish Parliament in May 2020. The legislation had cross party support when it was passed by the Scottish Parliament on May 2020, with an implementation date now set for the summer of 2023. The scheme is designed to encourage the maximum possible recycling of single-use drinks containers in the country as part of the Government’s commitment to the circular economy.

CSL is a company limited by guarantee whose members comprise the country’s largest drinks producers, retailers and relevant trade associations. It is regulated by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). The company will work with organisations throughout the supply chain: producers, wholesalers, importers, retailers and the hospitality sector.

In full implementation CSL will have turnover in excess of £700m per annum and will have significant cash reserves primarily driven by the timing impact of receiving deposits from producers and paying out deposits to consumers. CSL will act on behalf of c4,500 producers to deliver their legal responsibilities. All costs of operating and funding the DRS are the responsibility of these producers through the contracted producer fee charged to them by CSL.

Scotland is following in the footsteps of more than 40 other countries with DRS implementation, and the governments at Westminster and Dublin are in advanced planning for their own legislation. CSL’s stated ambition is also to become the Deposit Management Organisation for the equivalent scheme, which is to be implemented in England and Wales, thereby ensuring a seamless DRS scheme right across mainland Britain and in so doing, delivering increased efficiencies through economies of scale. CSL has been designed to be capable of extending its operations to deliver that scheme – moving it to a company with turnover in excess of £5bn.

CSL will need to set up the processes, systems, infrastructure and staffing required to deliver those obligations by the agreed scheme Go Live date. The infrastructure required to deliver the management of logistical and financial transactions associated with three billion scheme articles will be significant and needs to be incredibly robust given the high volume of low value transactions.

There will be reporting requirements to a number of high-level stakeholders including Scottish Government, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the members/producers themselves, many of which are large corporations. CSL is transforming from a ‘start up’ to a high-profile company of significant scale and complexity from day one of Go Live. In addition, CSL will need to operate and be able to demonstrate a robust ‘control environment’ and have processes in place to control fraud attempts.

The Role

CSL is seeking an accomplished and experienced Head of Accounting to join the team as one of the first key permanent employees. This is a start-up, with big ambitions, huge challenges and opportunities, and the Head of Accounting will have the capabilities, experience and attitude to slot straight in and start delivering quickly.

CSL requires a driven individual that is passionate about building the corporate entity. This will involve working in a fast-paced early-stage business whilst also being able to build the infrastructure of a large corporate entity (team, systems, controls & processes).

The initial main purpose of the role is to support the Finance Director in the Pre-Go Live phase of CSL. This work will include (but not be restricted to) day to day accounting management, budget management, supplier invoice management and review of tender costing processes.

This Pre- Go Live phase will require the successful candidate to work closely with the IT Team on the development of the core DRS systems solution, data flows and associated financial transactions.

The role Post- Go Live becomes the Head of Accounting for a large corporate entity. The Head of Accounting will have the ability to recruit their own team of (likely) four Accounts Assistants to manage the accounting process for CSL.

The role will be one of the senior managers within the finance team and will co-operate and collaborate with the other roles of Head of Financial Control, Head of Fraud and Data, and Risk and Compliance Manager to collectively deliver a robust finance resource for CSL.

The Individual

CSL is looking for a self-motivated individual excited by the opportunity to work with a start-up company which will launch and run a scheme at the heart of Scotland’s net-zero carbon strategy, and which will affect every resident in Scotland.

The successful candidate will be part of the startup team which will launch the Deposit Return Scheme to five million people in Scotland, capturing the flow of data associated with three billion scheme articles; putting in place systems which capture the data flow associated with the circular economy created by DRS.

CSL requires someone who has the breadth and depth of experience to cover all aspects associated with managing a start/scale up business and who also has the capability to manage the accounting function for a large corporate entity. Joining the team in this fast-paced phase of CSL provides great opportunities to be involved from the setup of the business as well as providing key learnings on the business model and the core IT systems.

You will be expected to be working across the organisation, providing key financial support, management and reporting to the Board and to all team members.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified Accountant with at least 7-10 years post qualification experience working in a commercial role
• Proven track record of managing a team and all associated accounting responsibilities falling within this role remit
• Experienced in working across organisation teams to deliver robust business intelligence and business partnering
• Highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and able to see projects through to the end
• An energetic and enthusiastic self-starter with the ability to act on own initiative
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate, guide and gain influence
• Budget and project management experience
• Experience of working with senior level staff and developing relationships with key stakeholders
• Extremely systems literate with the ability to connect the Core DRS system data to financial output

What to do next

To find out more or see a full Position Profile, please contact their retained advisor, Hazel Wynn at Rutherford Cross on [email protected].

An attractive financial package is available commensurate with background and experience required for the role. In addition to a competitive salary in the region of £75,000 per annum, 33 days annual leave (statutory days included), pension and bonus scheme, you will work within a collaborative and social team focused on delivering results.

Depending on your qualification, location and preference, hybrid or remote working options are available.

Please note that any direct or third party approaches will be sent to Rutherford Cross for review and assessment.

Rutherford Cross is an equal opportunities advocate and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.