Financial Controller

Why Join St Pierres

• Real leadership: Lead the department, with the backing and authority to improve how it runs.
• A strong, growing business: A stable, growing family-owned group with steady expansion and new stores every year.
• Variety: Retail, wholesale, import/export and property in one group, so your work spans tax, treasury, trade finance and group reporting.
• Partnership-driven: A business built on partnerships with the people who run our stores.
• Profit sharing: Participate in our long-standing Profit Sharing Plan, an established company program that lets you share in the financial success you help create.

About the role:

Be part of a successful company that believes in people first and a heart to serve. We are a food retailer that prepares state-of-the-art Japanese cuisine through innovation, excellence, quality, and service. At the core of our heart is our people, who make it happen, and our support office is there to serve them.

St Pierre’s has a 42 year history, being established in Wellington in 1984, and we operate over 80 stores. With our continued national expansion, we are looking for a motivated, results-oriented Financial Controller in our Accounts department, managing a productive team. This individual will be responsible for keeping up with our growing expansion requirements and financial accounting challenges.

This role is a full-time onsite position working closely with the director of finance.

Your typical day will include:

• Financial & Accounting Operations: Oversee core accounting functions, financial reporting, and overall financial controls across the business.
• Team Leadership & Development: Coach, inspire, and grow a team of four. Drive positive team culture, cross-training, and key KPIs.
• Financial Reporting & Month-End: Own the month-end close schedule targeting a timely monthly completion across group entities. Ensure ledger integrity and prepare consolidated reports.
• Treasury & International Trade: Oversee daily cash management, foreign exchange purchasing for international suppliers, and applying for letters of credit.
• Tax Compliance & Governance: Manage GST, provisional tax, PAYE/KiwiSaver reconciliations, Companies Office filings, and ERP system administration.
• Continuous Improvement: Streamline banking/reporting workflows, automate manual processes, and establish robust internal controls.
• Cross Department Relationship: Working across the support office by building positive relationships through timely response on queries and offering advice.

Ideal Candidate must possess:

• Leadership qualities who develop people and set clear standards.
• Strong attention to detail, with the judgement to see the bigger picture.
• Highly organised under tight deadlines and competing priorities.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, and able to explain numbers plainly to non-accountants.
• Practical and hands-on, happy to work alongside a team.
• A continuous-improvement mindset with an interest in systems and automation.
• Integrity and discretion with confidential business and family information.
• Excellent communication with directors, store teams, suppliers and advisers.

The successful applicant must have:

• A relevant degree in Accounting or Finance. CA ANZ or CPA qualification is an advantage.
• At least 7 years' accounting experience, including 3 or more years leading a team.
• Experience in a multi-entity group, including intercompany accounting and consolidation.
• Strong working knowledge of New Zealand tax: GST, PAYE, provisional tax and KiwiSaver.
• Experience with enterprise-grade, multi-entity ERP platforms, online banking platforms and advanced Excel.
• A retail, hospitality, FMCG or import/export background is an advantage.
• Experience with letters of credit and foreign exchange is an advantage.

What we offer

• Permanent Full-time role
• Competitive remuneration package offered
• Internal career development opportunities
• Excellent supportive team and friendly environment
• Staff discounts on selected food
• Being part of an honest, hardworking and reputable team
• Training and Support from management

Who we are:

St Pierre's is an iconic name in the New Zealand food landscape, synonymous with accessible and fresh Japanese cuisine, particularly sushi. What began as a humble delicatessen and seafood store in Wellington in 1984, founded by three brothers, has evolved into a nationwide phenomenon.

Today, with over 80 stores across New Zealand, St Pierre's is celebrated for its commitment to providing "Kiwi standard sushi" – a healthy, value-for-money, and convenient meal option that has successfully captured the hearts (and appetites) of New Zealanders. Beyond sushi, our menu has expanded to include popular hot dishes, such as Bento Bowls and "chicken on rice," continuously innovating to cater to evolving tastes. St Pierre's stands as a testament to entrepreneurial vision and a deep understanding of the local market, making it a beloved and enduring brand in Aotearoa.

For further information, please visit https://stpierres.co.nz/

What’s next

As part of our recruitment process, we will be doing background checks for the shortlisted candidates, such as (but not limited to) MOJ, Medical, ACC, reference checks, psychometric assessments, document verifications and credit checks.

Applicants with NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa will be considered.

A competitive salary will be offered to the right candidate.