Brewdog loves craft beer. Launched in 2007 by two local entrepreneurs, James Watt and Martin Dickie, their simple mission was and continues to be about making other people as passionate about great craft beer as they are. Core to the mission was producing beer of genuine flavour and craftsmanship without the industrial techniques of many modern brewers. In essence, beer like it was and beer how it should be.

Brewdog is based in a world class HQ; a 5.5 acre state of the art eco-brewery in Ellon, just north of Aberdeen. Construction is already underway to expand the facility again which will effectively double the size of the operation bymid-2016. In addition, the business now has 30 bars worldwide with another 5 due to be opened this year.

The business launched Equity for Punks, offering people the opportunity to buy invested and a new anti-business business model was born. Since then, the business raised a further £2.2m in 2011, £4.25m in 2013 and, most recent crowdfunding campaign earlier this year, generated £5m of the £25m target in just the first 20 days.

What started as 2 humans and 1 dog has grown into a thriving business that employs over 350 talented people, ships beers to over 50 countries and has been the fastest growing food and drinks brand in the UK over the last 4 years. From a standing start in 2007, Brewdog has grown exponentially to revenues of £29.6m and an operating profit of £3.9m by the end of 2014. Projected turnover for 2015 is to hit £50m.

Brewdog is a hugely ambitious business and, alongside the expansion of the Ellon brewery and bar network, is continually seeking to expand the already extensive product range and fund projects to extend the horizon of the company’s potential. This includes a move into the spirits market through the Granite City Craft Distillery; The Kennel, a craft beer led hotel in the North East of Scotland; Brewdog Distribution which will import craft beers into the UK from across the world; and Brewdog USA aimed at establishing a brewing operation in America which is the world’s largest craft beer market

The Role

The Commercial Finance Manager is a newly created role within the finance structure and will be the key link between the Finance and Sales teams. The role will provide accurate and up to data analysis on profitability, expenditure and the sales performance of Brewdog beers by brand and SKU in multiple channels and across diverse markets.

With an extraordinary head for figures and a keen eye for detail, the Commercial Finance Manager will translate raw data into insightful reports which breakdown sales performance into brand, SKU, channel and market, helping to inform the sales strategy on multiple levels. In addition, the Commercial Finance Manager will review current practices and reporting models to ensure the business is getting as much information as possible from core data; developing and implementing reporting systems to inform the decisions made by the Sales team.

Great at building relationships, the Commercial Finance Manager will work to understand the specific challenges the Sales team members face across their customer base to ensure the reports and recommendations they make take all variables into account and are informed and responsive. They will be the first point of contact in the Finance team for the Sales team, able to provide up to date analysis of the key drivers of business performance.

The Commercial Finance Manager will lead the financial planning which underpins the Sales strategies, challenging current practices with a view to nailing targets and promoting profitability and return on investment, all the while ensuring customers are happy and the products optimally positioned in their markets. While this role will primarily be a focused support role for the Sales team, the reports they produce may also inform the decisions made by the Marketing and Bar Operations teams, who they may work with on occasional side projects.

The Individual

You are known for being exceptional; for being both dynamic and highly commercial, hands on, relentless in your pursuit of excellence and for delivering success in everything you do. You are an engaging individual, capable of engendering confidence from stakeholders across the business.

Key qualifications, skills and experience required include:

• Degree qualified with a strong academic track record
• Professionally qualified accountant (e.g. CA, ACCA, ACMA)
• Proven track record in a commercially focused finance role with close working relationship to the businesses’ commercial function
• Experience gained in an FMCG organisation or environment, with a high degree of complexity and pace is essential
• Knowledge of trade terms and discount/pricing structures
• Strong negotiator and influencer at all levels
• Highly developed financial analysis, planning and budgeting skills
• Excellent capability to interpret financial information to guide critical decision making
• Well-developed commercial awareness
• Self-starting and able to build excellent relationships across the business
• High levels of drive and personal commitment to achieve success
• Strong team player
• Desire to learn about craft beer and genuine belief in the Brewdog Charter

What to do Next

To apply, have a confidential discussion, or to see a full Position Profile, please contact our advisor Mark Lewis at Rutherford Cross on 0141 611 7770 or email [email protected]. Please note any third party applications will be sent to Rutherford Cross for review and assessment.