Zest Food Jobs
Financial Controller
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Financial Controller
Financial Controller
Location: London (Hybrid) Salary: £65,000–£75,000 per annum + Package Reporting to: Founder
About the Role:
We are looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Financial Controller to join our fast-growing beverage business. Reporting directly to the Founder, you will play a key role in shaping the financial strategy of the company while supporting the next phase of growth.
This is a hands-on role suited to someone who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and enjoys partnering with the wider business to drive performance. As Financial Controller, you will take ownership of the finance function, ensuring robust financial controls while providing commercial insight across manufacturing, operations, retail, e-commerce and wholesale channels.
Working closely with the Founder and senior leadership team, you will help build scalable finance processes, improve reporting and provide the financial insight needed to support strategic decision-making as the business continues to grow.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the day-to-day finance function, ensuring accurate financial reporting, robust controls and efficient processes across the business.
- Prepare monthly management accounts, budgets, forecasts and cash flow reports, providing clear insight to support commercial and strategic decisions.
- Manage the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and statutory requirements.
- Take ownership of cash flow, working capital and financial planning, helping to manage growth and optimise the company's financial performance.
- Partner with the Founder and leadership team to provide commercial analysis, financial modelling and performance reporting across retail, e-commerce and wholesale channels.
- Analyse sales performance, gross margins, product profitability, promotional spend, manufacturing costs and cost of goods sold (COGS), identifying opportunities to improve profitability.
- Oversee inventory accounting, stock reconciliations, production costs, VAT, payroll and the day-to-day financial operations of the business.
- Develop scalable financial systems, reporting and internal controls that support a high-growth FMCG environment, including process improvements and finance automation.
- Manage relationships with auditors, banks, investors and external advisers, while supporting investor reporting, fundraising activities and financial due diligence.
- Act as a trusted business partner across the organisation, working closely with operations, supply chain, sales and commercial teams to support new product launches, demand planning and business growth
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You:
You'll be a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, founder-led business and is excited by the opportunity to make a tangible impact. Ideally, you will have:
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification.
- Previous experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager or Senior Finance Business Partner.
- Experience within FMCG, food & drink, beverages, consumer goods, manufacturing or a product-led business.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing finance, inventory accounting and gross margin analysis.
- Experience supporting retail, e-commerce and wholesale business models.
- Excellent management accounting, forecasting and cash flow management skills.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP and modern finance systems.
- A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to operate both strategically and operationally.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge and influence senior leaders.
- Experience building scalable finance processes within a growing business is highly desirable.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location