Interim Finance Manager

£65,000 - £75,000 | 18 Month Contract (Initally starting 5 days a week, reducing to 2 days from March 2027 | Maidstone, Kent

MorePeople are working with a well established business within the fresh produce sector to recruit an experienced Interim Finance Manager.

This is a broad, senior role combining financial leadership with responsibility for HR and administration. Reporting to the Managing & Sales Director, you will take ownership of the finance function, provide commercial insight to the senior leadership team and Board, and lead a small finance and administration team. The business is also going through a period of significant transition, so the role will play an important part in ensuring strong financial control, business continuity and effective planning through this period.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day finance, HR and administration functions.
Manage and develop a small team of Finance & Administration Assistants.
Prepare and present monthly and quarterly management accounts, forecasts and Board reporting.
Lead budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management and working capital analysis.
Provide commercial analysis and financial advice to the Managing & Sales Director and Board.
Oversee statutory accounts, audit, VAT, tax coordination and regulatory reporting.
Manage banking relationships, payment processes and treasury requirements.
Oversee monthly payroll, pensions, benefits and associated compliance.
Manage the company's insurance and risk requirements.
Support the Audit Committee and Board with financial reporting and governance.
Oversee grower payments, account sales, reconciliations and related finance processes.
Lead HR administration, including employee records, contracts, absence, recruitment and employee relations.
Work with external HR, employment and professional advisers as required.
Support the financial and people related requirements of the business through its transition and closure process.

What we're looking For:

We are looking for a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong financial management experience and a hands-on approach.

You will have:

Significant management accounting and statutory reporting experience.
Strong budgeting, forecasting and cashflow skills.
Experience managing a finance team.
Strong audit, governance and compliance experience.
Advanced Excel skills and experience with Sage or a similar accounting system.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
The ability to work independently, prioritise effectively and operate confidently with senior stakeholders.
Experience overseeing HR administration and employee records.Experience within fresh produce, agriculture, horticulture or a grower based business would be advantageous, as would experience of Board/Audit Committee reporting, complex grower payments or working within a restructuring, transition or closure environment.

The Role

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced interim finance professional to take a genuinely broad role within an established fresh produce business, combining financial leadership, commercial support, HR oversight and change management. If you are a qualified accountant who enjoys being hands on, can operate comfortably at Board level and is looking for an interim assignment where you can make a meaningful impact, we would be keen to hear from you.

Interested in learning more? Get in touch with Angus on (phone number removed) or (url removed)