Job Summary
The Finance Process Manager will work closely with the European Regional Controller and wider finance team to improve the Group’s financial controls and processes, to ensure compliance with Group wide policies and to contribute to the effective execution of finance related projects and improvements. This will include: • Day-to-day interactions with our global outsource provider for general ledger, accounts payable and accounts receivable activities; • Working with our in-house finance teams and global outsource provider to streamline and enhance both the functioning of the finance team and the wider internal control environment; • Playing a lead role in the execution of key finance improvement and transformation projects; and • Providing assistance to the wider Group on various ad hoc finance projects.
Job Description
Responsibilities:
• You will assist the European Regional Controller and wider finance team with daily finance operations, including tasks such as account reconciliation investigations, journal reviews, preparation of inputs for the annual operating plan and forecasts, and problem-solving issues as they arise.
• You will be responsible for working with both internal stakeholders and our global outsource provider to drive standardisation, simplification, automation and performance improvement.
• You will develop and implement increased automation across the finance function in line with our digital agenda and agreed finance transformation initiatives.
• You will develop standard balance sheet reconciliation templates in accordance with the Group’s balance sheet reconciliation policy and be responsible for reviewing the monthly reconciliations undertaken by our global outsource provider and resolving any issues.
• You will provide support on both internal and external audit requests and work closely with the external audit team to ensure a smooth audit process.
• You will manage the monthly close task list and work closely with the wider team to reduce the number of days taken during the month end close from the current 8 days down to 4 days.
• You will work closely with the Head of Risk and Controls to ensure that all European processes are mapped and kept up to date, and you will be responsible for working to close and eliminate control gaps across the European region.
• You will design and implement a more efficient global recharges methodology for the Group.
• You will lead the pilot for a more effective and long range cash forecasting process and be responsible for the refinement and implementation of the initiative.
• You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day activities associated with the accounts receivable factoring and supplier financing programmes, along with supervising the credit card transactions and controls.
• You will be responsible for developing and maintaining the IFRS16 master data for Europe and calculating the monthly entries.
• You will be responsible for leading our project to to implement a group wide finance ticketing system, working closely with the IT team.
• You will be a key finance lead for the ERP reimplementation project which will begin in 2025, working closely with the IT team and a wide range of finance and non-finance stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and integration.
• You will assist the Group Finance team and, from time to time, the wider Elementis teams with ad hoc projects.
Job Competencies:
1. Building effective teams: Building, motivating and leading effective teams is critical to the successful operation of the finance team. The role will be required to build strong relationships with our outsource provider and finance teams across the wider Elementis organisation.
2. Action orientated: Taking on new challenges with enthusiasm and dynamism is key to successfully advancing the finance transformation project.
3. Communicates effectively: Effective communication with a range of internal and external stakeholders is essential. The role will require clear and effective communication with a range of nationalities and cultures.
4. Balancing stakeholders: Being able to balance and manage a wide range of stakeholders is critical to the smooth running of our finance operations. Stakeholders of the role include our outsource provider, the Regional Controller Europe, the group finance team, internal and external auditors, and the wider Elementis organisation.
5. Strategic mindset: Leading the transformation agenda requires the ability to see ahead to future possibilities and then work with our partners and teams to translate them into breakthrough strategies.
6. Optimising work processes: The role has a significant component of improvement and transformation, so it is key that you are process orientated.
Decision making:
• You will have the authority to make decisions related to the day-to-day European finance activities.
• You have significant influence in finance transformation agenda. Higher-level approvals would be required for decisions related to spend outside of agreed budgets, strategic shifts, or significant decisions that have substantial financial or long-term implications.
• As a Finance Process Manager you will have significant influence in process improvement and adoption as well as ensuring the smooth interactions between other Elementis colleagues and the outsource provider.
What will it take
Technical Knowledge and Skills:
• Advanced understanding and knowledge of IFRS.
• Experience of participating in and/or leading a finance transformation, standardization and automation agenda.
• Experience of working with an overseas outsource provider.
Position Requirements:
1. Education: Chartered accountancy qualification (or equivalent).
2. Experience: 5 years + experience a high performing finance function with good experience across record to report, order to cash and purchase to pay. Experience with IFRS accounting/reporting is essential. Experience of working with an offshore outsource provider is desirable. Knowledge of JD Edwards is an advantage.