Introduction & Background;
Axon Moore are proud to be partnering with Solidus (Solidus Packaging Solutions Ltd) in their search for their UK Finance Director. Founded in 1868, some of the Solidus' companies have a rich history of more than 150 years as a sustainable fiber-based packaging manufacturer for a variety of end-user markets including food & beverage, consumer goods and industrial applications. In April 2015 the solid board operations of Smurfit Kappa in the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK were acquired by the private equity firm Aurelius and were rebranded as Solidus. In June 2019, Solidus was acquired by the New York based Private Equity Firm Centerbridge Partners.
Today, Solidus has an operating footprint across the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany and the United Kingdom and employs around 1,500 employees. The business is organised into four different Business Units, one of which being the UK business which has a turnover of €50m.
The UK Finance Director is in the driver's seat to (re)define and execute the development of business reporting towards a strong control department to support the anticipated growth of the Business Unit. You will report to the Managing Director of the Business Unit and will have a dotted (functional) line to the Chief Financial Officer.
Key responsibilities;
The main responsibilities and objectives for the UK Finance Director will include:
- Support the UK Solidus Business Unit with an extensive investment plan
- Manage, lead and develop a team of 10 FTE, 8FTE in Finance and 2 FTE in HR and Recruitment
- Together with the Business Unit management team develop and implement the BU strategy
- Being a key member of the BU management team (5 persons)
- Direct and optimise all controlling activities for the Business Unit including (but not limited to) providing full insight and analysis on e.g. sales, production and supply chain
- Ensure timely, adequate and reliable mid-month / monthly financial closing process and analysis to support the business
- Actively manage the budget and forecasting process within the Business Unit
- Prepare comprehensive budget reports to BU Management team and Group
- Responsible for all financial planning and analysis for the BU
- External and internal point of contact for stakeholders and advisers
- Advise BU management on financial matters regarding investments and divestments
- Responsible for managing and improve the working capital of the Business Unit
- Provide controlling and accounting support and advice/guidance towards the controllers within the BU
- Continuously improve the control process of the business
Required Background and Experience;
- Qualified Finance leader with significant experience in a financial leadership role, ideally within a large scale, international business
- Manufacturing experience would be an essential prerequisite, preferably within a similar sector (i.e. packaging, distribution, FMCG)
- Ability to lead a team and manage matrix orgnanisational reporting lines into both the UK business and Group counterparts and stakeholders
- Possess the energy and drive to affect change
- Possess a Business Partnering mindset and a willingness to be business facing, providing supportive challenge to the business
- Possess a willingness to be ‘hands on' and get into the detail when needed, and able to manage spreadsheets and high volumes of data
- Excellent communication skills with an ability to present key financial information to senior stakeholders and group representatives
- A ‘team player' who will lead and mentor the team to the highest of standards
If you feel you have the right skills and experience for this exciting role and career opportunity, please get in touch with Richard Chamberlain at Axon Moore via .
NB; Axon Moore are exclusively retained on this mandate and any direct or third party applications will be sent to Axon Moore for review