Interim Chief Financial Officer

Interim Chief Financial Officer Location: Location / Hybrid Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer / Board Sector: FMCG / Manufacturing / Supply Chain Backed by: Leading Asset Management Group Day Rate: £1,000–£1,300 per day Contract: Interim / Initial The Opportunity We are partnering with a high-growth, entrepreneurial commodities trading group that is backed by a leading asset management investor. The business currently has approximately £2.5bn of capital flowing through the platform, with ambitious plans to scale this to c.£4bn over the coming years. The group is now looking to appoint an experienced Interim CFO to provide senior financial leadership through this next phase of growth. This is a high-impact assignment for a CFO or senior Finance Director who has operated successfully in an entrepreneurial SME environment and has experience introducing greater structure, control and financial discipline without compromising commercial agility. The successful candidate will work closely with the CEO, Board and investment partner, taking ownership of the finance function while strengthening the organisation's financial controls, reporting, cash management and governance framework. The Role The Interim CFO will take overall responsibility for the finance function and will play a central role in supporting the group's continued growth. Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing immediate and credible financial leadership to the CEO, Board and shareholders.
• Assessing the existing finance function, processes and systems and identifying areas for improvement.
• Strengthening and embedding a robust financial controls and governance framework.
• Maintaining rigorous oversight of cash, liquidity, working capital and balance sheet management.
• Improving the quality, accuracy and timeliness of financial and management information.
• Strengthening forecasting, budgeting and scenario-planning processes.
• Supporting the business as capital flows through the platform increase from approximately £2.5bn towards £4bn.
• Partnering closely with commercial and operational teams to improve performance, profitability and capital efficiency.
• Providing clear financial analysis and insight to the Board and investment partner.
• Ensuring appropriate financial governance, risk management and compliance across the group.
• Working closely with external auditors, advisers, banking partners and other key stakeholders.
• Identifying and addressing any immediate financial, control or reporting risks.
• Building capability within the existing finance team and ensuring the function is appropriately structured for the next phase of growth.
• Supporting the CEO and Board on strategic and operational decision-making. The Ideal Candidate We are looking for an experienced Interim CFO / Finance Director who combines strong commercial judgement with a highly disciplined approach to financial control. The successful candidate is likely to have:
• Significant CFO / FD experience within an SME, entrepreneurial or high-growth environment.
• A track record of successfully delivering interim or transformation assignments.
• Experience operating in a business with meaningful transaction volumes, working capital requirements and/or complex supply chains.
• A background in commodities, manufacturing, FMCG, distribution, logistics, supply chain or another operationally intensive sector.
• Strong experience developing, implementing or strengthening financial controls, governance and risk frameworks.
• Excellent understanding of cash management, working capital and balance sheet optimisation.
• Experience providing financial leadership to CEOs, Boards and sophisticated investors.
• Experience working with institutional investors, private equity, asset managers or other sophisticated capital providers would be advantageous.
• The ability to quickly understand a complex business and identify the key financial and operational priorities.
• A hands-on approach, with the credibility and confidence to operate effectively in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to challenge constructively at Board level.