The Business
This is a market-leading British business with more than three decades of heritage, operating from a world-class, purpose-built facility in Lincolnshire. It supplies some of the UK's largest retailers and has built its reputation on a genuine commitment to quality, innovation and sustainable operations.
The business operates across two commercially distinct divisions. The first is established, operationally sophisticated and deeply embedded with its blue-chip retail partners - a genuine market leader in its sector. The second is where the next chapter is being written - a science-led platform with real commercial traction, developing specialist products a purpose-built, compliance-grade facility.
Led by a founder-connected CEO who has been instrumental in building the business to where it is today, the company is at a genuine inflection point - strong foundations, serious infrastructure and clear ambition for what comes next.
The Opportunity
This is a newly structured senior finance role, created to bring greater commercial depth and strategic rigour to the finance function as the business enters its next phase of growth.
Reporting directly to the CEO and with full board exposure, the Finance Director Designate will lead an established finance team and take ownership of everything from day-to-day financial management through to strategic planning, investment appraisal and stakeholder reporting. This is a genuine stepping-stone role - for the right person, the path to full FD is clear and intended.
The business operates across two commercially distinct divisions, each with its own dynamics, investment profile and growth trajectory. The person coming into this role will need to get under the skin of both, and be as comfortable in a commercial conversation as a technical one.
What You'll Be Responsible For
* Leading and developing the finance team, setting the standard for accuracy, pace and commercial thinking across the function.
* Owning the monthly management accounts, board reporting pack and all financial reporting obligations, ensuring the CEO and board have the quality of information they need to make good decisions.
* Driving the annual budgeting and forecasting process across both divisions, with a focus on meaningful variance analysis and forward-looking insight rather than retrospective reporting.
* Acting as the commercial finance partner to the CEO and senior leadership team - challenging assumptions, stress-testing plans and bringing financial clarity to strategic decisions.
* Managing relationships with the business's banking and debt partners, with a solid understanding of existing facilities and the discipline to manage covenant compliance and cash efficiently.
* Overseeing statutory reporting, audit, tax and compliance, working with external advisers where appropriate.
* Supporting the evaluation of capital investment decisions across both divisions, including business cases, returns analysis and post-investment review.
What We're Looking For
* A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with a strong track record at Financial Controller or Head of Finance level, ready to take the next step into a board-facing FD role.
* Someone who has operated in a business of genuine complexity - ideally with manufacturing, food production, life sciences, FMCG or similarly operationally intensive experience, though this is not prescriptive.
* A natural communicator who can translate financial complexity into clear, confident narratives for a CEO and board audience, and who is comfortable being the most senior finance voice in the room.
* A hands-on leader who takes pride in the quality of their team's output and invests in developing the people around them.
* Someone with the commercial instinct to look beyond the numbers and contribute meaningfully to strategic conversations, not just report on them.
* Comfortable with ambiguity and energised by a business that is actively evolving, rather than one where the path is already clearly defined.
Why This Role
* A genuine FD designate position with a clear and credible progression path, not an indefinite holding pattern.
* Direct access to a founder-connected CEO who is deeply invested in the business and expects his senior team to be equally engaged.
* A business with real heritage, serious infrastructure and two growth platforms - one established and market-leading, one pioneering and still being built.
* A Lincolnshire base with a leadership team that values presence and collaboration.
* £90,000 – £110,000 depending on experience, plus a competitive benefits package.
How to Apply
This search is being managed on a confidential basis. To find out more or to register your interest, please contact the IFF team directly. The business will be revealed at the appropriate stage of the process to shortlisted candidates.
About IFF Talent:
Imagine a recruitment partner that doesn’t stop at placing you in the perfect role - one that supports your personal and professional growth across your entire career journey.
At IFF Talent, we believe recruitment should be relational, not transactional.
Our slogan, "Beyond Recruitment" is our commitment to continue adding value long after the placement - whether you're hiring, exploring, or simply growing.
Equals One is an advertising and recruitment agency working on behalf of our client to promote this vacancy. You may be contacted directly by the employer should they wish to progress your application. Due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide specific feedback if your application is unsuccessful
Salary description
£90000.00 - £110000.00 per year