Role: Financial Controller Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer Direct report: Part-time Bookkeeper Location: Brighton & Hove The Role We are seeking an experienced Financial Controller to take ownership of the day-to-day financial control and reporting of a growing food manufacturing business. This is a hands-on role with broad exposure across financial reporting, cash flow management, controls, and systems, with a clear progression path to Finance Director within two to three years. Key Responsibilities Financial Reporting & Management Accounts Prepare timely and accurate monthly management accounts, including P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow statements. Provide clear, insightful commentary on performance, including investigation and explanation of material variances. Maintain and manage accruals, including retrospective discounts and supplier recharges. Cash Flow & Working Capital Manage short- and medium-term cash flow forecasting and funding requirements. Monitor working capital movements and assess fixed asset investment needs. Oversee daily bank reconciliations and ensure alignment with finance providers’ balances. Treasury & Finance Providers Act as the primary point of contact for finance providers, including invoice discounting and inventory finance facilities. Ensure accurate reconciliation and reporting to all funding partners. Payments, Payroll & Receivables Oversee supplier and staff payment processes. Manage receivables and credit control processes to support cash collection. Run monthly payroll for approximately 40 employees. Controls, Compliance & Governance Review, maintain and improve internal controls and accounting policies. Approve invoices in line with delegated authority. Ensure full compliance with HMRC reporting requirements, including VAT, Excise Duty and PAYE. Budgeting, Forecasting & Improvement Assist with annual budget preparation and quarterly reforecasting. Identify and help implement efficiency improvements through enhanced systems and processes. Support continuous improvement initiatives across finance operations. Systems & Team Work closely with operational teams to ensure robust financial data flows from production systems. Manage and develop a part-time bookkeeper. Contribute to ongoing systems optimisation (NetSuite experience preferred). Candidate Profile Essential Proven experience in a Financial Controller or senior finance role within a manufacturing or production environment. Strong management accounting, cash flow and working capital management skills. Hands-on, detail-oriented approach with the ability to operate at both transactional and strategic levels. Experience liaising with external finance providers. Solid understanding of UK statutory and HMRC reporting requirements. Desirable Experience using NetSuite or similar manufacturing ERP systems. Background in a growing, scaling or PE-backed business. Ambition to progress to a Finance Director role. Career Development This role offers a genuine opportunity for progression, with structured succession planning to Finance Director within two to three years for the right candidate. Benefits: £60-70k base depending on experience Bonus Pension scheme 25 days annual leave Discounts across the brand