Skip to main content

This job has expired

Finance Director

Employer
Cefinn
Location
West London
Closing date
20 Sep 2021

View more

Function
Finance
Level
Director / President / C Suite
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time

Job Details

Overview 

We are looking for a bright, analytical, and highly organised individual to lead our finance team and work closely with the CEO to manage and develop the business. The Finance Director will be responsible for the success of the finance department’s day to day operations but also provide key financial advice to support the CEO, board of directors and senior management team in business development for this high-growth womenswear fashion brand.

This role reports into the CEO and is supported by an inhouse management accountant. The team will also recruit a part-time assistant in the next 12 months.

The Logistics Manager and Merchandiser will also report into the Finance Director.

Key Deliverables

  • Excellent management of the day-to-day operations of a small but highly ambitious finance department
  • Clear and accurate financial reporting across stakeholders, internal as well as external
  • Strong cash flow management and communication of this to the CEO and board on a regular basis
  • Proactive and accurate business-wide financial forecasting (owning the financial modelling)
  • Stock level management, including OTB budgeting, sales forecasting, and cash flow; work closely with CEO and marketing director on link between stock levels and growth targets  
  • Strong cost management and clear communication on forecasts and budgets to the wider team. Constantly work to identify costs savings.  
  • Management and accurate reporting of gross margin, including explanations behind variances each month; work with product development team on improvements

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

General

  • Implement and oversee the process, as well as provide hands-on support to the finance team on areas, including but not limited to:
  • Bookkeeping and invoicing
  • Weekly reconciliations
  • Monthly management accounts (sales and margin postings, prepayment postings, balance sheet reconciliations, receivables & payables)
  • Monthly payroll submissions & PAYE
  • Quarterly VAT returns
  • Seasonal FX movements and potential hedging  
  • Approval of all invoice payments, staff uniforms and expenses
  • Oversee year-end work and submission of statements
  • Oversee all movements in the ERP system (Brightpearl) and ensure actions are feeding through correctly to the bookkeeping
  • Regular support to the product team on gross margin planning and factory negotiations
  • Company-wide analytical and strategic support (e.g., marketing investments, store openings, new market entries, supplier strategy and pricing positioning)

Cash flow

  • Management of the long-term cash flow forecast and communication of working capital requirements
  • Provide CEO and board with short- and long-term cash flow forecasts
  • Overseeing and approving the weekly payment schedule to ensure sufficient short-term cash in the business
  • Work with all departments to ensure strong communication of upcoming payments or any changes to payment schedules

Statutory and legal

  • Ensure the company's financial practices are continuously in line with statutory regulations and legislation
  • Oversee legal questions in the company and acting as first point of contact for any such queries from team members or other stakeholders
  • Oversee all contracts, including but not limited to rent, supplier agreements, partnership agreements

Team and office

  • Oversee the HR function, including recruiting process, employment contracts, onboarding and exit processes
  • Oversee office management of the head office in west London
  • Oversee IT function and all equipment and software

Reporting

  • Ensure business-wide reporting is continuously up to date and follows best practice
  • Support the Marketing Director with forecasting, as well as digital & performance marketing reporting / analysis on a regular basis
  • Business wide forecasting and budgeting (own the company’s financial modelling)
  • Weekly finance presentation in the management trading meeting
  • Oversee, and together with the head of each department, set revenue targets and budgets across the business. Monthly meetings together with CEO and each of the department heads to follow up on performance

Board and Investor Relations

  • Investor relations, including preparation of monthly board pack, general quarterly investor update and answering ad-hoc investor requests
  • Board meeting administration
  • Support future fundraising process

Merchandising

  • Oversee the OTB budgeting together with the CEO and Marketing Director; optimise stock levels to balance growth, cash flow and gross margin
  • Oversee seasonal buying and the Merchandiser’s work and reporting
  • Seasonal reporting on gross margin, stock levels and sell through

Logistics

  • Oversee the work of the logistics manager
  • Work together with logistics and product departments to mimimise shipping costs
  • Oversee the company’s international shipping, including VAT and Duty regulation

Key Personal Competencies /Skills 

We are a small team so you must be proactive and willing to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. We are looking for:

  • Qualified Accountant
  • Experience from a similar role, in a digital-first retail company
  • Data driven and analytical with strong ability to use data to present findings to team
  • Digital advertising experience is highly meriting
  • International experience (subsidiaries reporting) including VAT and duty questions is highly meriting
  • Excellent presentation and communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Highly motivated, hardworking, and flexible; comfortable with change 
  • Great leadership skills with the ability to build strong teams and develop individuals to ensure longevity in roles
  • Strong, energetic character, able to positively communicate strategic ideas and adapt to changing requirements effectively

Company

Founded by Samantha Cameron in 2017, Cefinn is a London-based label creating chic, grown-up fashion for the multitasking urban woman. Every piece is designed to be smart, modern and feminine. Easy to wear and elegantly understated, it’s fashion you don’t have to overthink. 

Company info
Website
Telephone
02033270580
Location
Phoenix Brewery
13 Bramley Road
London
London
W10 6SZ
GB

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert