Financial Controller
About this role
Based in Shoreditch, we have a team of talented people working on everything from product development to finance, to customer experience. We’re looking for someone to join our growing team and help us in building the future of Grind.
We think coffee can be a force for good. Whether it's through creating the UK's first compostable coffee pods, our plastic-free packaging or carbon-free shipping - we're on a mission to be the world's most sustainable coffee company.
In 2023, we created our charity, the Better Coffee Foundation, to undo the damage done by the global coffee industry - in our first year, we recovered 43 million pods' worth of ocean-bound plastic. We’re looking for an experienced, operationally minded Financial Controller to take ownership of the core finance function at Grind as we continue to grow across hospitality, retail, ecommerce and wholesale.
Reporting to the CFO, you’ll lead and develop a finance team of six and take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the function across three company entities. This is a broad, senior and highly hands-on role, covering everything from monthly management accounts, cash flow and financial controls through to group consolidation, statutory reporting, audit and tax compliance.
You’ll be comfortable moving between detailed transactional issues and the wider financial picture, ensuring the business has accurate information, robust processes and clear financial insight. Alongside maintaining high standards across our core accounting processes, you’ll work closely with the Head of Commercial Finance, senior leadership and teams across the business to solve problems, improve performance and support better decision-making.
Finance has a genuine seat at the table at Grind. We’re looking for someone who combines technical excellence with strong operational instincts, excellent people leadership and the ability to build trusted relationships. You’ll be equally comfortable discussing financial controls with auditors, investigating an issue within the accounts and helping operational teams understand performance and identify opportunities.
Ultimately, you’ll help us build a high-performing, scalable finance function that delivers robust financial statements, meaningful operational insight and trusted decision support across the Group.
- Lead, mentor and develop the core finance team of six, creating a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and professional development.
- Own the day-to-day running of the finance function, ensuring accurate, efficient and timely financial reporting across the Group.
- Lead the month-end and year-end close processes, maintaining clear timetables, strong controls and high-quality financial information.
- Oversee the preparation of monthly management accounts, board reporting and KPI packs, clearly highlighting performance, risks, opportunities and areas requiring action.
- Maintain a robust financial control environment, including balance sheet reconciliations, approval processes, accounting policies and financial risk management.
- Ensure payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, stock accounting and other core transactional finance processes operate accurately and efficiently.
- Take ownership of cash flow management, short- and medium-term cash forecasting, balance sheet integrity and working capital performance.
- Oversee group consolidation and multi-entity reporting, ensuring results are accurately consolidated and delivered on time.
- Lead statutory reporting requirements, including annual statutory accounts, the external audit process and year-end reporting across the Group.
- Oversee corporation tax, VAT and other regulatory filings, working with external advisers where required and ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and UK reporting requirements.
- Partner with the CFO, Head of Commercial Finance and teams across Operations, Supply Chain, High Street, DTC, Brand and People to support budgeting, forecasting, planning and operational decision-making.
- Identify and implement improvements to finance systems, reporting, processes and controls, leveraging technology, automation and AI-enabled tools to create practical and scalable solutions.
You’ll have.
- A recognised accounting qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent.
- Proven experience in a broad Financial Controller role within a fast-paced, growing or multi-entity business.
- Strong experience leading month-end and year-end close processes and producing high-quality monthly management accounts.
- Demonstrable experience of group consolidation and multi-entity financial reporting.
- Strong knowledge of statutory accounts, external audit processes, UK accounting requirements and tax compliance.
- A thorough understanding of financial controls, balance sheet management, cash flow, working capital and core accounting processes.
- Proven experience leading, coaching and developing finance teams, with a genuine passion for helping people perform and progress.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, practical and actionable insight.
- A hands-on, proactive approach, with the ability to move comfortably between strategic priorities, detailed accounting issues and operational problem-solving.
- Strong commercial awareness, excellent organisational skills and a continuous-improvement mindset, with experience developing scalable systems, processes and reporting.
- Experience within hospitality, retail, ecommerce or a consumer brand.
- Experience working in a multi-site operating environment.
- Exposure to inventory accounting, supply-chain finance or wholesale operations.
- Experience implementing finance systems, automation tools or wider process-transformation initiatives.
- Experience supporting banking relationships, funding processes or broader corporate-finance activities.
If there are any adjustments you need to help you bring your best self to an interview with us please let us know.
Benefits and perks
- Extra Holiday: Gain an extra day of holiday for each year you spend with us, capped at 3 additional days.
- SpectrumLife: Access our confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
- Referral Bonus: Earn a bonus for bringing great talent to our team (£250 for employees, £450 for managers).
- Financial support: access to interest-free, short-term loans when you need them most
- Discounts online: Up to 40% off our retail line online.
- Crew Card: Enjoy 50% off all food and drinks, plus two free coffees a day at Grind locations.
- Team Events: Participate in regular team events and enjoy a stocked office with healthy breakfast and snacks.
- Family & Friend Discounts: Special discounts for family and friends.
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity: Enjoy enhanced maternity and paternity benefits once eligible.
Salary.
£85,000 - £100,000 depending on experience.
Company at a glance
Grind is on a mission to change the way we drink coffee for the better, making craft coffee accessible to more people in more places, from our cafés to your kitchen. Since opening in 2011, Grind has grown to include cafés, coffee shops, and a state-of-the-art coffee roastery. You can also find our speciality coffee online through our DTC business, in supermarkets all over the UK, in every Soho House around the world, and up 35,000ft on British Airways flights. With ethically-sourced coffee from sustainable farms, home-compostable pods, plastic-free packaging, and our own charity, the Better Coffee Foundation®, Grind is a certified B Corp reshaping modern coffee culture with a brand built on sustainability, community, and craft expertise.
Top Benefits
- Extra holiday
- Employee assistance program
- Referral bonus
- Interest-free loans
- Retail discounts
- Food and drink discounts
- Free coffee
- Team events
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
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