Our Finance Team in Newton Aycliffe are growing and as such we are currently seeking an experienced Financial Controller to join the business on a permanent basis

Location: Newton Aycliffe, County Durham (Site-based)

Reports to: Head of Finance

Package: Competitive Salary with an excellent benefits package incluing 1.5x Employee Pension Contributions (capped) and up to 20% Discretionary Business Bonus

The Company:

INEOS Hygienics joined the INEOS Enterprises business portfolio in 2020, emerging from Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision to offer free sanitiser products to the NHS and health services in the UK, France, Germany and the US as a purely philanthropic gesture throughout the Covid pandemic. We achieved this and then some with multiple factories built in 10 days each, supplying 330,000 litres of product worldwide. From there the business has grown into an established Consumer brand of Sanitiser products in 2021 + Personal Care products in 2022 + Household products in 2023. In the process we have also scooped up numerous awards (Product of the Year 2 years running), listings with most major UK retailers and some very impressive market share across all of our categories.

INEOS Hygienics is a brand which backs Humans and truly believes in exciting consumers with Innovation and Product excellence. We pride ourselves on agility and speed to market with a committed team who have helped to develop a strong business offering contesting the major players in the Personal Care and Homecare sectors. 2023 marked the launch of our internal Culture – DRIVE, with a factory branding project and launch event at our state of the manufacturing facility in Newton Aycliffe.

The Role:

We are looking for an experienced Financial Controller to oversee the day-to-day running of the financial function for Ineos Hygienics, based in Newton Aycliffe, in the office 4 days a week minimum. The role requires previous experience as a Financial Controller, and it is desirable to have had previous experience in Beauty, Retail or FMCG.

Working in an agile and changing environment, the role will play a pivotal part in establishing the finance function as a credible business partner and supporting the business through its next phase of growth.

The Financial Controller is directly responsible for the good operation of Financial Controls, the Finance Systems and Financial Reporting & FP&A. The Controller is also responsible, along with the Finance Director, for bringing best practice financial management into the organisation and maintaining the financial control framework and governance of the organisation.

The role will also play a key role in transforming the finance function to one fit for purpose for a multi-million-pound turnover business as it moves from start-up to scale-up.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Accounting and Reporting

Lead the audit process from the beginning to the end, and the submission of the statutory accounts to companies’ house – managing the local Finance Operations Team and working with the Ineos Enterprises team throughout to ensure the year-end statutory accounts are produced and filed in a timely manner, and that any & all issues are resolved appropriately.
Accountable for the good working relationship with the parent, Ineos Enterprises, and for the internal work and coordination required with Enterprises, including all month-end reporting (monthly: flash reporting, Hyperion submissions, working capital reports, capex reporting and Budget submissions) in addition to any ad-hoc work.
Ensure robust and accurate balance sheet reconciliations are carried out in line with company requirements.
Provide clear balance sheet dashboard/status reports and risk analysis supported by clear commentary.
Develop enhanced management information to meet the business’ needs.
Ensure that the Finance Director/Leadership team has accurate overhead reporting and forecasting.
Assist the Finance Director and operational leadership team to develop detailed overhead budgets and reforecasts.

Finance Operations, Pensions and Payroll services

Develop best practice procedures and reporting in managing the Finance Operations team.
Ensure the Finance team (Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable and Management Accountant) deliver robust and accurate Monthly Management Accounts and Management Information, to timetable, ensuring adherence to accounting policy and procedures.
Understand and improve the working capital cycle of Ineos Hygienics ensuring sufficient financial resources are available to meet Ineos Hygienics’ commitments through cashflow forecasting and related governance activity.
Manage the cash cycle and the key relationship with Ineos Enterprises
Work with the Ineos Hygienics payroll team to oversee payroll and salary planning to ensure it is delivered in a timely and accurate manner together with related payments, support, communication, and management information where necessary.

Financial Control and Governance

Maintain an effective system of internal financial controls in line with the Enterprises accounting manual and financial policies.

Taxation

Ensure accurate and compliant accounting for and the reporting and payment of all taxes, provision of technical advice on Taxation matters where possible (VAT, PAYE, and Corporation Tax) and liaison with the in-house tax team when necessary.

Transformation, Finance Systems & Reporting

Play a key role over the next two to four years in the transformation of the finance function to a ‘future-ready’ team suitable for a £100m+ turnover business.
Responsible for the oversight of the Finance system, including change control, development, and reporting.
Oversee the strategic development and implementation of the portfolio of transformation projects across our financial systems.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Management Accounting and Financial Controller experience
Technical knowledge of IFRS accounting standards and their application and tax matters
Audit experience
Demonstrable experience in reviewing processes and in implementing financial controls
Some experience of driving transformational change
Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Experience in influencing and collaboration
Ability to build key relationships and engage effectively at all levels across the organisation
Agile problem solver – able to identify, develop and deliver well thought out solutions to sometimes complex problems. Flexible in approach to issues and has a ‘can do’ attitude
Analytical and attention to detail – constantly strives to deliver to the highest quality

Qualifications

Qualified accountant with minimum six years post qualification experience