Financial Controller

MISSION

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our UK Finance Team at LAVAZZA Professional located in Basingstoke, North Hampshire.

Why LAVAZZA Professional?

Lavazza Professional is the Business-to-business (B2B) arm of Lavazza Group. As a global coffee business, we have grown over the last 120 years from a small Italian artisanal company to be an industrial giant. We remain family owned and our passion for quality coffee is coupled with a spirit of entrepreneurship, defined by innovation and a sense of responsibility. In the Lavazza Group we are committed to build a better world, one coffee at a time. We offer products of superior quality, obtained through a sustainable model based on innovation, passion and expertise.

At Lavazza Professional, our goal is to fuel workplace productivity and wellness, proudly serving premium Lavazza coffee from our Multi-drink and Barista Collection systems, our industry leading, versatile office coffee and vending technologies offer tailored options to fit any workspace, any size of business and any industry.

As a company, we have a profound commitment to Sustainability and are proud to announce our “Roadmap to Zero” to completely neutralise the Group’s carbon footprint by the end of 2030. You can be proud to join a company dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and employee development. This is an opportunity to join a developing and growing company with many aspects. The UK Finance Director wants the Finance Team to be the best they can be and the Financial Controller will have the freedom to help make this happen. You will have the opportunity to make this role your own with the support of a supportive leadership team and line manager. Ideas will be listened to, management and development opportunities available.

Short Description

Team Development - Lead and inspire the team; to be the best version of themselves, to participate in cross-functional activities and to demonstrate the company values. Currently a team of 15. Team leadership responsibilities, oversight of AP, AR, Fixed Assets, Payroll and Financial Accounting Functions.

Financial Accounting and Closing - Ensure high-quality accounting in line with the group principles and policies and compliance with local government requirements. Reporting under IFRS and UKGAAP.  Responsible for accurate and timely month end closing ensuring insightful analysis and performance monitoring. Continuously improve processes, in line with the group template and reporting protocols. Responsibility for preparation of the statutory accounts in conjunction with third party provider.

Short Description

Operational Finance - Ownership of the operational finance team ensuring timely payments and receipts, balance sheet reconciliations and accurate reporting to VAT,

tax and other regulatory bodies.

Financial Control and Governance - Enhance and monitor internal controls and guidelines for accounting transactions to minimize the risk of financial fraud through application of group framework and follow up of post completion activities. Lead the financial accounting team to develop and foster effective business partnering relationships with the business.

Process Improvement - Identify and drive process improvement though collaboration across functions and within the team. Key point of contact for all financial systems in the UK.

Short Description

External Audit - Lead the successful completion, coordination and support of external audits including the correct external representation of the company accounts.

Cash - Maximise the cash conversion cycle though accurate rolling cash forecasting and monitoring, timely collection of receivables and payment of vendors in line with agreed payment terms and effective reporting of cash positions within the group and local management.

Receivables - Minimise overdue debt through robust monitoring and collection activities.

External Representative to Key External Agencies - Manage relationships with Tax Advisors, Auditors, Bankers and other key vendors such as expense platform and payroll providers.

Payroll - Oversight of payroll manager and review of the monthly payroll for all entities.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills and qualifications

Financial accounting and control, Team leadership and development, Business process reengineering, ERP experience, CMA/ACCA/ACA qualification

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES

Drive for results: take accountability for decisions, actions, and timelines.

Leading People: able to engage, inspire and help others to overcome their own limits.

Resilience: ask the right questions, able to explain and defend unpopular positions when required.

Learning agility: ability to identify common structures and make connections, open-minded personality, with focus, perseverance, and drive for mastery

Integrity and reliability: handle sensitive information appropriately, very high degree of reliability, continuous improvement mindset

GENERAL SKILLS

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

BUDGET / PEOPLE RESONSIBILITIES