Rutherford Cross is delighted to be retained by Peak Scientific in Glasgow to recruit a newly created Group Financial Controller role.

Peak Scientific is a leading innovator in the design, manufacture and support of high performance gas generators for analytical laboratories. Established in the UK in 1997 near Glasgow (Scotland), where its corporate Headquarters, and high-tech manufacturing and R&D facilities reside, Peak Scientific boasts a significant local presence on every continent – including major operations in North America, China, India, Apac and LATAM. The business is currently turning over in excess of £60m with a view of substantially growing over the next couple of years.

With nearly two decades of experience in pioneering reliable gas generator technology, Peak Scientific develops market-leading nitrogen, hydrogen and zero air systems mainly for the field of LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) and GC (Gas Chromatography).

A Group Financial Controller role has been created to bolster the senior finance function to improve control across the business. The Group Finance Controller will lead a substantial team and reports directly into the Finance Director. This will be a high profile controls focused role with extensive business interaction.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a highly respected, award winning business, with ambitious growth plans, where the appointed candidate will play a key role in its journey.

In addition, the business will provide a firm career platform with good opportunity for personal and professional development as well as the mandate to shape and define how the role evolves. It is envisaged that over time this role will develop and grow and therefore it is key that applicants are flexible and adaptable to those changes.

The main duties and responsibilities will involve:

• Overview the production of the Group monthly management accounts to ensure delivery within the Group Finance timetable and perform first walkthrough review. Liaising with overseas Finance Managers and 3rd parties where required to ensure deadlines are met
• Responsible for producing the draft Group management accounts monthly reporting pack for review with the Finance Director
• Ensuring Group has visibility, and review where required, for all of Peaks financial compliance requirements
• Ensure continuous improvement within the finance department. Driving forward the standardisation and Group wide roll out of all finance processes per Group requirements
• Lead on year end audit and statutory accounts preparation, working with the Senior Management Accountant to define the split of workloads to ensure delivery within required timescales
• Provide structured information on expected cash receipts for the purposes of cash flow reporting and meeting FX hedging requirements
• Active engagement and main point of contact for liaising with external parties covering R&D, audit, tax, transfer pricing, insurance and banking
• Provide bank with quarterly compliance updates on Peaks Group performance and any ad hoc information requested
• Managing the day to day banking requirements across the Group ensuring appropriate structure, users’ setups and access
• Management of two direct reports at HQ (Senior Management Accountant and Cashier) and indirect management of overseas Finance Managers ensuring best practice is observed
• Various ad hoc responsibilities as assigned by the Finance Director

It is critical that the Group Financial Controller can work closely with senior management, while consistently meeting the needs of key stakeholders both within and external to the business. In particular, it is crucial they can take responsibility for decision making and possess sufficient gravitas to challenge current thinking and drive positive change. Undoubtedly, this is a key appointment for Peak Scientific and the successful individual will play a key role in shaping the organisation over time.

A summary of the key candidate requirements are as follows:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Qualified accountant (CA preferred) with the relevant PQE
• Strong technical experience with the ability to create a world class finance function
• Comfortable preparing and presenting financial information to key stakeholders
• Strong statutory and monthly reporting experience
• The ability to perform in a complex face paced environment within a complex international business
• Ability to influence and build strong working relationships globally
• Strong systems/ERP experience
• Working with a number of external parties including audit, tax, banking and insurance
• A track record in continuous improvement within a complex finance department
• Strong team management and people development experience
• Exposure to manufacturing/engineering sectors is advantageous

Please note Rutherford Cross are retained partners on this assignment and all third party CV's will be forwarded for inclusion in the process