Financial Controller - Leading Soap FMCG Manufactuer

"The Bar is Back" - and we need your financial leadership, commercial insight, and drive for operational excellence to help us scale from 20 million to 70 million bars a year.

At Soapworks, we create high-quality, sustainable soap products for global brands - and as we enter an exciting phase of rapid growth, we’re looking for an experienced, hands-on Financial Controller to lead our finance function and support strategic decision-making.

From driving robust financial controls and delivering accurate, timely reporting to supporting investment decisions and shaping long-term financial strategy, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring our commercial success as we scale - safeguarding profitability, managing risk, and enabling sustainable growth.

At Soapworks, we do more than produce soap - we also manufacture a variety of personal care products, including hair and body cleansers and aromatic oils. As a key member of our leadership team, you’ll help shape the future of our business, working alongside a passionate and innovative workforce committed to quality, sustainability, and innovation.

The Role at a Glance

Financial Controller

Glasgow / Remote Working Fridays

£65,000 - £75,000 per annum DOE + 33 days holiday, rising with service

Plus Excellent Benefits Package Including Pension, Income Protection Benefit, Access to Help@Hand (EAP, GP and Physio Services), Death in Service 3x Annual Salary and More…

Full Time - Permanent

Hours of Work (37.5hrs per week): 8am - 4.30pm (Mon-Thurs), 8am - 3pm (Fri - working from home)

Reporting to: Managing Director

Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Trusted

Company: UKs Largest Bar Soap Manufacturer with a global customer base

Who’s products Featured In: British Vogue, GLAMOUR, Elle, GQ, Beauty Bay, Stylist Magazine, HELLO! And More…

Your Background / Skills

Fully Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA plus solid practical experience in a fast-paced environment ideally within a manufacturing environment. Leading and developing a finance team. Experience working with BI tools.

Food, Manufacturing, Personal care

Ideally exposure to contract manufacturing

The Opportunity

Soapworks is looking for a proactive and commercially minded Financial Controller to lead the optimisation and innovation of our finance operations as we scale up the business.

In this key role, you’ll focus on enhancing financial processes, improving reporting accuracy, and strengthening overall financial performance - driving cost control, supporting strategic investments, and ensuring robust financial governance in a dynamic, fast-paced manufacturing environment.

With ambitious growth plans ahead, we need someone who’s passionate about financial excellence, data-driven decision making, and helping to shape a sustainable, profitable future for Soapworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise on financial strategy to support company objectives.

• Lead, motivate, and develop the finance team to ensure high performance.

• Provide financial guidance to managers and staff to help achieve targets.

• Manage cash flow, working capital, and treasury functions.

• Prepare annual budgets, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow.

• Present financial reports to the Board and participate in monthly meetings.

• Oversee Group Reporting, including monthly sales and P&L reports.

• Deliver financial updates at fortnightly KPI meetings.

• Produce monthly management accounts and Finance Board reports.

• Coordinate year-end reporting and external audits.

• Manage operational performance reviews and P&L reforecasts.

• Prepare monthly 13-week cash flow forecasts.

• Authorise and ensure accuracy of supplier payments.

• Review product costings with BDM for new business opportunities.

• Analyse profitability by customer and product type.

• Develop Capex business cases and payback analysis with senior management.

• Liaise with auditors to ensure accurate statutory reporting.

Education/Qualifications

• Fully ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified along with practical experience in a fast-paced environment ideally within a manufacturing environment.

• Educated to degree level.

Experience/Skills/Knowledge

• Demonstrable experience of leading and developing a finance team.

• Working in a multiple margin control and strict cash-flow management business

• Excellent attention to detail to ensure accuracy in financial reports and compliance documentation

• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to address financial discrepancies and operational inefficiencies.

• Knowledge of working with BI tools to drive financial improvements

• Knowledge of integrating new ERP system such as MS Dynamics / Business Central or equivalent would be preferable.

Other Job Requirements

• May need to be able to travel

What’s on Offer

• Competitive Market Salary

• 4-weekly pay cycle

• 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays rising with service

• Pension

• Death in Service benefit of 3x basic salary

• Income Protection Benefit after 1 year in role

• Access to Help@Hand who provide EAP, GP & Physio services. They also provide information on health, family, money & work, as well as discounts with various retailers.

Sounds like a good fit? Apply here for a fast-track path to our Leadership Team

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