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Head of Finance
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Head of Finance | Lisburn | £60,000 - £75,000
Department: Finance
Reports To: General Manager / Managing Director
Direct Reports: Accounts receivable, Accounts payable & payroll administrator
Salary Band: £60k to £75k FTE commensurate with experience
We are a leading independent veterinary wholesaler dedicated to supplying high-quality pharmaceuticals, equipment, and consumables to veterinary practices throughout Ireland and agricultural merchants in Northern Ireland. Operating within a high-volume, tight-margin wholesale distribution environment, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service, strong supplier partnerships, and efficient supply chain management. We are continually investing in our people, systems and processes to support sustainable business growth.
Mission of the Role
As Head of Finance, you will take full ownership of the company's financial management, accounting operations, financial reporting and commercial performance. You will provide strategic financial leadership to the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team whilst ensuring strong financial governance, regulatory compliance and robust internal controls.
Leading a transactional finance team, you will develop financial capability across the business by transforming operational data into meaningful commercial insight that supports better decision making.
A critical aspect of the role is acting as the finance super-user and internal champion for our ERP system, Epicor Prophet 21 (P21). You will drive continual improvement of financial processes, optimise inventory and margin reporting, automate workflows and maximise the value of our ERP investment.
About this Role
Main Responsibilities and KPIs
Leadership & Business Partnering
- Lead, develop and mentor the Finance team, creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Work closely with the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team to support strategic decision making.
- Provide detailed financial analysis and commercial insight to influence business performance.
- Build strong relationships across Warehouse Operations, Procurement, Sales and Customer Services.
- Embed financial understanding throughout the organisation.
- Support wider business improvement initiatives and cross-functional projects.
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Financial Control & Reporting
- Prepare accurate monthly management accounts and complete month-end close.
- Produce monthly and annual financial reports.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis.
- Develop rolling cash flow forecasts and manage working capital.
- Produce statutory accounts and manage the annual audit process.
- Liaise with external auditors, banks and professional advisers.
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax legislation and HMRC requirements, including VAT returns.
- Maintain robust financial controls, policies and governance.
- Produce Board reporting packs and ad hoc financial analysis.
Commercial Finance
- Monitor profitability, margins and business performance.
- Manage manufacturer rebates, supplier chargebacks and customer pricing agreements.
- Analyse business trends and identify opportunities to improve profitability.
- Provide insight into key commercial projects and investment decisions.
- Support departmental budget setting and monitor financial performance against targets.
ERP (Epicor Prophet 21) Leadership
- Act as Finance super-user and system champion for Epicor Prophet 21 (P21).
- Optimise finance processes through effective use of P21 functionality.
- Integrate Order Management, Purchasing and Inventory modules with the General Ledger.
- Improve automation of manual financial processes and reporting.
- Configure financial controls within the ERP system.
- Develop system improvements that enhance reporting accuracy, inventory visibility and margin protection.
Data Analytics & Business Intelligence
- Develop financial dashboards and KPI reporting.
- Provide insight into inventory, profitability, customer performance and operational efficiency.
- Support data-driven decision making throughout the business.
Inventory & Working Capital
- Partner with Warehouse and Procurement teams to optimise inventory management.
- Oversee stock valuation, obsolescence provisions and inventory reconciliations.
- Audit unvouched receipts, goods-in-transit and inventory movements.
- Support effective cold-chain logistics costing where applicable.
- Configure and monitor customer credit rules within P21.
- Ensure robust three-way matching of Purchase Orders, Goods Receipts and Supplier Invoices.
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Payroll & Benefits
- Oversee payroll administration and employee benefits.
- Maintain confidentiality and compliance.
- Review external service providers and identify opportunities for improved efficiency.
What You Will Need
Required criteria
- Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CPA).
- Minimum five years' experience in a senior finance leadership role.
- Previous experience managing and developing finance teams.
- Strong understanding of wholesale distribution, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, logistics or B2B trading businesses.
- Demonstrable experience producing management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and statutory reporting.
- Excellent understanding of financial controls, audit and compliance.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Strong analytical, commercial and communication skills.
Desired criteria
- Minimum 2 years' hands-on experience using Epicor Prophet 21 (P21).
- Experience using Epicor Data Analytics (EDA), SQL or similar Business Intelligence tools.
- Project management experience.
- Experience improving finance systems and ERP processes.
To Apply
Please submit an updated CV detailing your relevant experience, skills and qualifications, and how these align with the requirements of the position.
VSSCo reserve the right to enhance the criteria in the event of an unprecedented response and will consider any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
VSSCo are an equal opportunities employer.
Investors in People Accredited Employer
We are proud to be an Investors in People accredited organisation, reflecting our commitment to supporting, developing and valuing our employees. We invest in our people through training, career development opportunities and a positive working environment.
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