Head of Finance

Head of Finance

Aylesford, Kent £70,000+ Permanent

Reed Finance are exclusively recruiting for a successful, long-established and growing distribution business based in Kent, currently seeking to appoint a Head of Finance.

This is a newly created role and represents a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded finance leader to join a profitable, multi-site organisation at an exciting stage of growth. Reporting directly to the Directors, the Head of Finance will play a pivotal role within the senior leadership team, helping to drive financial strategy, control, and performance across the business.

The Role

This is a broad, hands-on leadership role combining strategic oversight with operational delivery across finance.

Key responsibilities include:

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and deliver the financial strategy to support growth and competitiveness
• Advise Directors and senior stakeholders on financial performance, risks and opportunities
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning
• Drive site-level financial analysis, benchmarking and performance improvement
• Support expansion activity with financial modelling and analysis

Cost Management

• Oversee staff costs, overheads and cost accounting
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and margin analysis
• Support new site acquisition planning with detailed cost modelling

Financial Controls, Compliance & Reporting

• Produce accurate monthly management accounts and board-level reporting
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and tax requirements
• Maintain strong internal controls, manage audits and banking relationships

Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead finance system integration following acquisitions
• Improve data accuracy and reporting capability
• Implement KPIs and dashboards to support operational decision making
• Drive continuous improvement across finance processes

Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and control frameworks

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, develop and mentor the finance team
• Ensure consistent processes, controls and reporting across multiple sites
• Build strong business-partnering relationships across the organisation
• Promote a culture of accountability, accuracy and performance

The Person

We are looking for:

• A qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders
• Experience within a distribution or multi-site environment (highly desirable)
• Proven experience integrating finance processes following acquisitions
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills
• Strong understanding of stock management, margin and cost of sales
• Experience improving financial controls, systems and processes
• A confident leader who is comfortable operating both strategically and hands-on

Working Arrangements & Package

• Full-time, permanent role
• Based at head office in Aylesford, Kent
• Salary £70,000+, dependent on experience

Reed Finance are exclusively recruiting for this position. All applications will be handled with the strictest confidence.