Rutherford Cross is delighted to be retained by Alexander Ross Holdings to recruit a newly created Finance Director role in Falkirk.

Alexander Ross Holdings is a family-owned trading group based in Falkirk, Central Scotland. The group comprises three companies: Unico, Montague Lloyd and The Scottish Fine Soaps Company

The group dates from 1923 when a local man, Robert Ross, established a chemical manufacturing business. The Ross family expanded into soap manufacturing with the launch of The Scottish Fine Soaps Company in 1974, and Alexander Ross Holdings was founded in 1987 to incorporate the two businesses. In 1992 Montague Lloyd (a hotel amenities biness) was purchased from Aer Lingus to operate as a trading division of Unico. Today, the Alexander Ross Holdings Group has a turnover of over £17 million and is a dynamic and forward-thinking organization with an excellent reputation throughout the industries in which it operates.

A Finance Director role has become available to bolster the senior management team. The position will play a strategic part in the business in order to achieve its significant growth plans.  Reporting to the Managing Director, the position will be a commercial and strategic one, requiring a motivated and experienced individual.

The role will require an ambitious individual who will head up the lean finance function with an element of hands on experience required. The role will be a broad ranging one and will heavily support the Managing Director in the direction and growth of the business.

 The business has been acquisitive in the past and has ambitions to continue down this route of growth, it is therefore key that the Finance Director is heavily involved in these potential acquisitions and has an appetite to join a growing family business.

 This represents an excellent opportunity for a motivated finance professional who wants to work in a growing, family owned environment and within a company that can provide a firm career platform with good opportunities for personal and professional development

Responsible To:                Managing Director

Location:                          Falkirk

Key Responsibilities:

The Finance Director will be responsible for the following key deliverables:

·       Working closely with the Managing Director, to lead on the preparation of strategic plans covering a 3 to 5 year timeframe. To provide advice to the Managing Director and Board on options considered

·       Working closely with the Managing Director on business growth planning, particularly acquisition policy and implementation

·       Working closely with the Managing Director, to lead on the preparation of the annual budget (including alternative scenarios) for presentation to and obtain agreement from the Board

·       To lead and manage the Finance team and their development

·       To prepare monthly management accounts and detailed analysis of variances including: actual v budget, revised forecasts for the year and beyond, considering current commitments in order that current and future performance of all projects can be assessed by the business

·       To carry lead responsibility for the accounting systems to ensure timely and accurate financial records are being maintained and that the relevant accounting standards, statutory and regulatory standards and requirements are being met

·       To ensure that all cyber security measures are fit for purpose

·       To develop and deliver improved financial systems and processes in conjunction with the IT manager

·       To prepare and present both regular and ad-hoc reports to the Board with full supporting commentaries.

·       Cash flow management

·       To ensure that in all financial matters a good working relationship is maintained with all external and internal stakeholders, e.g. bank, suppliers and insurers

·       To work closely with external auditors to ensure that the information they require is accurate and available

·       To ensure compliance with all relevant statutory financial requirements including VAT, PAYE, NI, Pensions Auto Enrolment, GDPR, Companies Act, Government accounting etc

·       To ensure that finance staff, the Managing Director and Board of Directors are aware of current best practice in financial and management reporting, and that they are all aware of their legal and fiduciary responsibilities

A summary of the key candidate requirements are as follows:

Experience ·         Proven track record in leading and motivating teams within and across functions

·         Experience of developing outstanding relationships across the businesses

·         Experience in presenting at Board level

·         A proven relationship builder with the ability to increase co- operation across departments and sites

·         Company secretarial experience an advantage

·         Experience in a manufacturing environment would be desirable

·         HR experience also desirable  

Qualifications ·         Degree qualified with a strong academic track record

·         Professionally qualified accountant (CA, ACCA, ACMA) with PQE consummate with a role at this level of responsibility  

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities ·         Knowledgeable on current accounting standards and any proposed changes that are applicable to the business

·         Ability to prioritise and adapt to workload

·         Strong analytical, organisational and decision-making skills

·         Excellent communication and problem-solving skills with an ability to influence key members of senior management

·         Ability to assess and drive business improvement projects

·         Excellent IT skills, with a proven track record in optimising finance systems

·         Knowledge of fair value / derivatives accounting would be advantageous

·         Ability to operate at both a hand’s on and strategic level  

Other Key Characteristics and Behaviours ·       Excellent English language skills, both written and verbal

·       Brings energy and naturally motivates teams

·       High levels of drive and personal commitment to achieve success

·       Remains calm when under pressure

·       Commercially curious and relishes challenges

·       Results driven and respect for deadlines

·       Anticipates stakeholder needs

·       Not afraid to challenge the status quo and evaluate/present alternatives as required

·       Strong team player

Please note Rutherford Cross are the retained advisors on this search and all third party CV's will be forwarded to be included in the process.