Rutherford Cross is delighted to be working with a prominent player in the food production industry, based in the Scottish Borders. This company is renowned for being a leading supplier of fresh and organic produce, with a strong emphasis on fostering collaborative relationships across its extensive supply chain network.

In this rounded position, the successful candidate will be the responsible accountant for the side. Responsible for delivering crucial financial information for both commercial and operational purposes. You will play a pivotal role in driving site performance and providing strategic decision support, insights, and challenges to all on-site functions.

Scottish borders, hybrid work available

£ Competitive in line with experience (support to complete qualifications as an option)

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Preparing weekly / monthly results for the site with supporting analysis of key variances covering detailed review of commercial performance, operational performance and key business KPIs and business drivers
• Manage period and year-end closure, ensuring all necessary reconciliations are undertaken and all supporting documentation is available for review
• Ensuring completeness of all transactions undertaken within the ERP system (e.g. stock transactions)
• Preparing and reviewing budgets, forecasts and long-term plans ensuring that the local site management is responsible and accountable for any key assumptions made
• Leading the year-end and half-year stock count
• Assisting in the preparation of year-end statutory accounts
• Liaising with different stakeholders
• Involvement in site continuous improvement projects
• Key member of the local management team and finance leadership team
• Supporting the Site Director and site management teams with financial insight to enhance key commercial decision-making covering pricing decisions, operational performance, capex appraisal (both pre- and post-investment) and efficiency improvements
• Acting as an independent business partner providing robust procedures / guidance to the site management teams and improving and driving accountability across the site
• Seeking to improve financial awareness and understanding across the site / functions
• Continuously seeking to improve site stock control covering raw materials, packaging stock, spares and boxes and to improve forecasting of payments and to facilitate more accurate cash flow forecasting
• Maintaining accurate record-keeping systems – both manual and computerised where applicable
• Communicating KPIs and monitor and measure performance against the KPIs, taking appropriate action when required
• Financial Responsibilities:
• Monitoring and managing expenditure to maintain budgets and communicating any anticipated variances with a particular focus on the future
• Communicating KPIs, monitoring and measuring performance against the KPIs, and taking appropriate action when required
• Completing weekly accounts and period end in a timely manner

Key candidate requirements for the position include:

• CIMA or ACCA qualified, working towards accreditation (>70% completed) or QBE
• Experience within food manufacturing helpful, but not essential
• Conversant with all Microsoft Office programs, particularly advanced Excel
• Strong ERP systems knowledge (ideally Nav)
• Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner
• Accept and thrive on accountability
• Happy to drive improvement and lead change projects
• Adaptable to work such hours as may be reasonably required for proper performance of your duties
• Ability to travel in accordance with the needs of the business
• Be uncompromising where health, safety, and welfare are concerned