Rutherford Cross is delighted to be working with A&D Logistics on a retained basis to appoint a Financial Controller.

The Company

A&D Logistics is a medium sized, family owned haulage business based in Linwood, near Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Volvo trucks, maintained by its own Volvo trained technicians and engineers. The business offers its customers: Skeletal Trailers, Curtain Sider Trailers, Flatbed Trailers, Low Loaders. The company has very highly skilled drivers who travel across Scotland delivering products and goods.

A&D Logistics has been trading for over 25 years and in recent years has grown through diversifying its offering. There has been significant investment in a £3m new facility and there is a culture of challenging the status quo to ensure the business optimises its potential. The foundations of the company were built on haulage for the whisky industry, primarily Chivas Brothers, however in more recent times there has been a change in strategic focus to avoid reliance on any one contract, whilst exploring other profitable revenue streams. A&D Logistics now works with a wider range of drink manufacturers such as Edrington, Diageo and William Grant & Sons. The business has also established itself in the seed potato transportation market and is making use of its exceptional workshop capability by not only carrying out maintenance on its own fleet of trucks, but also offering services for external clients.

Over the period of the ongoing health crisis, the company has taken stock of which contracts are delivering the greatest profit and has identified areas where costs can be reduced. During the initial months of the pandemic there was a short-term dip in revenue; the steps the business is now taking will ensure a more profitable future, exploring greater opportunities for growth. Over the last 3 years, A&D Logistics has grown from an annual turnover of £6.5m to being on track to hit £8m for the year ending 31st March 2021, while at the same time improving bottom line profitability.

The Opportunity

A&D Logistics is creating the position of Financial Controller to provide more reliable MI to support business decision-making, whilst also ensuring stronger financial controls are in place. The post holder will take responsibility for a range of accounting duties including management and statutory accounts preparation. To be successful, they must gain a strong understanding of the operation, its culture and develop a detailed knowledge of its customers.

This individual will be expected to build excellent relationships both across the business and externally and will form a key role as part of the senior management team. It is important that the Financial Controller is willing to play a leading role in certain non-finance related areas, namely HR and legal.

It is imperative that A&D Logistics has “real-time” visibility on its financial position and continues to grow on an upward trajectory. This will be greatly assisted by a commercially focused finance leader who will provide significant input around communicating financial performance & control, business planning, contract analysis & pricing, managing stakeholder expectations and overseeing banking relationships. The key aim is to create a robust, commercially focused finance function to support the company as it continues to grow, which will provide a development opportunity for the post-holder.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join an established family owned business with ambitious plans for the future, by playing a key role in its journey.

The Candidate

The Financial Controller position requires an individual with a hands-on approach. They will take ownership of a long-established finance function, currently adapting to working with a finance lead for the first time. The appointed candidate will have responsibility for developing both the financial processes of and the colleagues working within the department, management accounts production, whilst having the knowledge and gravitas to contribute towards business development plans. The appointed candidate will thrive on variety and will possess a team-oriented attitude, comfortable being involved with whatever needs done to help the business deliver its short and long-term goals.

Below is a brief breakdown of key candidate requirements for the role:

• Professionally qualified accountant (CA, ACCA, ACMA) or “qualified by experience”
• Prior experience of playing a key role in the finance department of a medium sized business
• Proven track record in leading, developing and motivating a finance function
• Experience of developing effective relationships across the businesses and with a range of stakeholders
• Understanding and experience of Quality Management System methodology
• Strong analytical, organisational and decision-making skills
• Effective communication and problem-solving skills
• Strong working knowledge of commercial contracts and driving pricing strategies
• Ability to prioritise and adapt to workload
• Excellent IT skills, with a proven track record of improving finance systems
• Commercially curious and challenges the status-quo
• Results driven and respect for deadlines
• Anticipates stakeholder needs
• Comfortable supporting or partnering director level stakeholders
• Possess a hands-on attitude to ensure delivery of the more routine tasks required of the finance function as required
• Experience of working in a logistics and/or family run business would be advantageous

Job Title:                            Financial Controller

Reporting to:                    Board of Directors

Location:                            Linwood, near Glasgow

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial leadership of the business including the provision of robust and meaningful financial information to the Board of Directors
• Provision of monthly forecasts and detailed cashflow statements to third party stakeholders
• Presentation of high-quality management accounts and other management information on a monthly and ad hoc basis as required
• Leading and developing the finance function, including management of 2 members of staff
• Supporting implementation of Quality Management System processes and ensuring compliance across the finance function
• Maintenance and development of finance and accounting systems as well as other business critical systems
• All aspects of banking, including managing the relationship with the bank and invoice finance provider
• Preparation of annual financial statements for audit purposes
• Oversight and development of robust financial controls and processes
• Corporation tax calculations and planning
• Overseeing VAT and payroll compliance
• Management of cash, working capital requirements and cash flow forecasting
• Leading the annual budget process with quarterly forecast updates to support, short and medium and long-term objectives
• Analysis and monitoring of all major capital expenditure
• Playing an active part in HR and legal matters
• Other ad-hoc duties as & when required

Salary will be in the range of £45,000 - £50,000, depending on experience.

The Recruitment Process

First round interviews are with our retained advisors at Rutherford Cross.

Second round interviews are with the Business Development Director and a seasoned Finance Director currently working with the business on a consultancy basis

Third round interviews will involve meeting other Directors of the business

Applications should be sent to [email protected].

Any direct or third-party applications will be sent to A&D Logistics’ recruitment partners Rutherford Cross for review.