Zertus UK & Ireland
Group Head of Operational Finance
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Group Head of Operational Finance
Zertus UK & Ireland | Humdinger, Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire with regular UK travel
Are you a commercially minded operational finance leader who thrives in manufacturing environments and enjoys driving business performance through financial insight?
This is a newly created leadership role with the opportunity to make an immediate impact across Zertus UK & Ireland's chocolate and snacking manufacturing operations. Reporting to the CFO, you'll lead Operational Finance across five manufacturing sites, partnering with senior operational leaders to improve performance, drive efficiency, challenge the status quo, and embed greater consistency across the business.
This is not a role for someone who simply reports the numbers. We're looking for a leader who can influence decision-making, identify opportunities for improvement, and help shape how operational finance supports the wider business.
Position Type: Permanent, Full Time
Location: Humdinger, Sherburn-in-Elmet, LS25 with regular UK/Ireland travel as required
Salary: Competitive + 10% annual bonus + car allowance
Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:30
Closing date: 28/09/2026
Responsibilities
- Leading the Operational Finance function across five UK manufacturing sites that produce award-winning chocolate and snacking products for major retail customers.
- Managing and developing a team of Site Finance Business Partners.
- Driving operational performance through insightful variance analysis and cost reporting.
- Partnering with Operations Directors and Site Leadership Teams to improve productivity, efficiency, and profitability.
- Leading the operational budgeting, forecasting, and planning process.
- Identifying and delivering continuous improvement initiatives that add measurable value.
- Standardising reporting and financial disciplines across multiple sites.
- Supporting capital investment decisions through financial modelling and ROI analysis.
- Working closely with Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, and Commercial teams to drive business performance.
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Qualifications
We're looking for someone who can bring both strong Finance expertise and the ability to influence operational performance. You'll ideally have:
- Fully qualified accountant status (CIMA, ACCA, or ACA).
- Significant experience within operational finance in a manufacturing environment such as food or similar.
- Experience partnering with senior operational stakeholders and influencing decision-making.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insight.
- Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, and operational performance reporting processes.
- Previous people management experience, developing and leading high-performing finance teams.
What will make you successful?
- A genuine drive to challenge existing ways of working and identify opportunities for improvement.
- The confidence to influence and challenge senior stakeholders constructively.
- Strong leadership presence and credibility within operational environments.
- Experience implementing new initiatives, processes, or finance transformation projects.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial information clearly and persuasively.
- Energy, resilience, and ambition to create positive change.
- A collaborative approach combined with the confidence to hold robust conversations when needed.
- The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational involvement.
Rewards & Benefits
- Competitive salary plus £5,500 car allowance and 10% annual bonus opportunity.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional holiday.
- 4% employer and 5% employee pension contribution.
- Life assurance at four times basic salary.
- Healthcare Cash Plan through Paycare, covering dental, optical, therapies, and counselling.
- Salary sacrifice schemes including pension, Cycle to Work, and electric vehicle options.
- Genuine opportunity to shape a newly created leadership role and make a significant impact on business performance.
- The chance to work closely with senior operational leaders on strategic improvement programmes.
- Career development opportunities within one of the UK's leading confectionery and snacking manufacturers.
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About Us
Zertus UK & Ireland is home to some of the UK's best-loved confectionery and snacking brands, including Humdinger, Kinnerton, and Lir Chocolates. We combine the pace of a growing manufacturing business with the backing of an international family-owned group, creating exciting opportunities for ambitious professionals to make a real difference.
This role is based primarily at our Sherburn site, with regular travel across all UK manufacturing locations. The successful candidate will enjoy being visible within operations, building relationships across sites, and gaining a first-hand understanding of factory performance.
Application & Interview Process
Please apply online via our careers portal by submitting your CV and answering the application questions. Successful candidates will be invited to a two-stage interview process. Stage 1 will be online via Teams call with the CFO, and Stage 2 will be on-site with a full factory tour and a chance to meet the operational and finance teams.
Zertus UK&I is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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