BrewDog loves craft beer. Launched in 2007 by two local entrepreneurs, James Watt and Martin Dickie, their simple mission was and continues to be about making other people as passionate about great craft beer as they are. Core to the mission was producing beer of genuine flavour and craftsmanship without the industrial techniques of many modern brewers. In essence, beer like it was and beer how it should be.

By 2009, BrewDog had become the UK’s fastest growing alternative beer brand and Punk IPA became the top selling IPA in Scandinavia. Also, the business launched Equity for Punks, offering people the opportunity to buy invested and a new anti-business business model was born. Since then, the business raised a further £2.2m in 2011, £4.25m in 2013 and £19m in 2015. Brewdog USA is now looking to raise $50m through the latest crowdfunding campaign to add significantly to the 50,000+ current investors.

In 2010, BrewDog opened its first bar in its home town of Aberdeen and the next year this extended to bars in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. The business now has 47 bars globally including flagship sites in London, Berlin, Barcelona, Tokyo, São Paulo and Stockholm. BrewDog is aiming to have 100 craft beer bars globally by 2020. 2017 also added their largest bar in Columbus, Ohio… a 10,000 sq ft Taproom to be exact!

In 2013, Brewdog moved from its original facility in Fraserburgh and to its new world class HQ; a 5.5-acre state of the art eco-brewery in Ellon, just north of Aberdeen. This is one of the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly breweries in the world and has allowed the business was able to improve every element of production. Currently, the business is well on its way to completing a state of the art 13-acre brewery in Columbus, Ohio – they own 42 acres so plenty of expansion

What started as 2 humans and 1 dog has grown into a thriving business that employs over 600 talented people, ships beers to over 55 countries and has been the fastest growing food and drinks brand in the UK for the last 5 years consecutively. From a standing start in 2007, Brewdog has grown exponentially to finishing 2015 with revenue of £48m.

BrewDog is a hugely ambitious business and, alongside the expansion of the Ellon brewery and bar network, is continually seeking to expand the already extensive product range and fund projects to extend the horizon of the company’s potential. This includes a move into the spirits market through the Lone Wolf Spirits; Sour Beer Facility in Ellon and continued expansion on their mission to make everyone as passionate about great craft beer as they are.

The Role

The Head of Finance role, will be an inspiring leader, who will motivate and engage their team and support and guide the board of Directors on Financial recommendations and reporting for the UK Business. This role will report to the Global Finance Director.

This position will have two key focuses: the coin and the people. Your role will work closely with the Operational Senior Leadership team to ensure the financial support complies with the Group requirements. BrewDog is growing at a rate of knots and it is key that you can deal with change and be the advisor for all things finance across all the wider business.

You will not only interface internally with stakeholders, but with the Equity Punk Community, as the business continues to grow the equity and potential bond offerings. Brewdog wants you to inspire and engage this community as they continually grow and smash all their targets out of the park! This is alongside supporting and driving the production and operational teams’ stakeholders in Ellon.

As a small but rapidly expanding company, there will be a large emphasis on creating the platform for growth. This will involve a high degree of time on improving internal processes and controls, the corporate governance framework and financial systems to streamline and improve the quality of the management information to the business.

As well as being detail orientated, it is imperative that this individual can think and operate strategically, deputising for the Global Finance Director as required. This will be particularly pertinent on the launch of their International growth plans, as the Global FD will be required for these negotiations on an International scale (now the USA, next… Global Domination).

The Individual

You are known for being exceptional; for being both dynamic and technically astute, relentless in your pursuit of excellence and for delivering success in everything you do. You are an engaging individual, capable of engendering confidence from stakeholders across the business. You inspire your team to be the best that they can be, every day.

Key experience and qualifications:

Degree qualified with a strong academic track record

• Professionally qualified accountant (e.g. CA, ACCA, ACMA)
• Proven track record in a leadership role developing engaged and inspires teams
• Experience of developing outstanding relationships across the businesses and Executive Team
• Experience gained in an organisation or environment with a high degree of complexity and pace
• A background in businesses going through rapid growth

Key knowledge areas:

• Knowledge of current finance best practice and ability to keep abreast of external developments
• Strong technical accounting knowledge
• Extensive SAP (preferably SAP B1) experience
• Strong awareness of financial controls

Key competencies

• Strong negotiator and influencer at all levels
• Highly developed management reporting, planning and budgeting skills
• Excellent capability to interpret financial information to guide critical decision making
• Well-developed commercial awareness
• Credible with the appropriate gravitas and proven ability to influence decision making
• Self-starting and able to build excellent relationships across the business
• Not afraid to challenge current practices
• Excellent communication skills - both verbal and written

What’s on offer:

The position offers a highly attractive basic salary, employer pension contribution, life assurance, private medical insurance, profit share and a number of other excellent additional benefits

For a full Position Profile or to register your interest, please contact our search partner Mark Lewis on [email protected] or call 0141 611 7770.