Fractional CFO

Fractional CFO | FMCG Brand | London (flexible) | 1 day a week

I’m working with a fast-growing, food brand that’s on a mission to change what we eat. They’ve grown fast since launch, they’re stocked in major UK retailers, and they’re now expanding internationally.

The decisions are getting bigger. They’re investing in their supply chain, setting up new entities, and preparing for major corporate events, such as investment, acquisitions or a sale.

They have a strong Head of Finance who runs the finance function day to day. What they’re missing is someone who has done these big moves before in FMCG, who can challenge the board and the founders, and who can help their Head of Finance grow into the next role.

The role

You’ll be the business’s senior finance leader. You’ll sit alongside the founders and the board, lead the financial strategy and major corporate events, and make sure every big decision is backed by the numbers. That means challenging and sharpening the 5 year plan, leading the investment strategy (including JVs with farms and suppliers), structuring new entities as the business expands, and bringing in the right legal and tax advisers.

What they’re looking for

• You’ve played a significant part in at least one major FMCG corporate event, such as a sale or acquisition. You know what it takes to get a brand exit-ready, and you’ve seen it through.
• You know UK grocery retail inside out, including trade investment, promotions, listings and marketing spend, and how they shape the numbers.
• You have senior CFO or FD experience and real credibility at board level.
• You’ve worked with JVs and different investment mechanisms, and you understand the legal side of each.
• You’ve coached or developed a finance lead.
• Challenger brand experience and international entity set-up are a big plus.

You tell founders and boards what they need to hear, kindly and clearly. You start from the business strategy and build the numbers from there. You get your energy from building other people up, rather than doing the work for them.

What’s on offer

This is a seat at the table (likely a board seat) in a fast-growing food brand, with a great team who will really value your experience. The role is 1 day a week with the option to flex up, with regular time in London, a competitive day rate, and flexible working around your other commitments.