Head of Finance

Harper May is working with a founder-led consumer non-durables business that has built a strong position across retail and direct-to-consumer channels over the past eight years. The company is privately owned, currently scaling operations across Europe, and has recently secured growth investment to fund product innovation and market expansion. Finance has become increasingly central to navigating margin pressure, supply chain complexity, and the need for real-time visibility across multiple sales channels. The business is now seeking a Head of Finance to lead the function and provide the strategic rigour required for the next phase of growth.

The Role
Reporting to the CEO and embedded within the leadership team, you will own financial strategy, planning, and control for the entire operation. This role demands both technical precision and commercial partnership-you will need to balance robust reporting with the flexibility required in a scaling business where decisions often move quickly.

You will establish clearer financial frameworks, improve forecasting accuracy across product lines and geographies, and work closely with operations and commercial teams to protect and improve margins. You will also build and lead the finance team, raising the standard of financial discipline and insight across the organisation.

• Own budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning aligned to growth targets
• Build management reporting that delivers genuine commercial insight, not just data
• Work with operations, procurement, and sales to identify and act on margin and cost opportunities
• Establish robust financial controls and governance as the business scales
• Manage cash flow, working capital, and inventory dynamics in a multi-channel environment
• Support capital allocation decisions and evaluate new commercial initiatives
• Lead, mentor, and grow a small finance team

What we are looking for

• ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with proven senior finance experience in consumer goods, retail, or manufacturing
• Demonstrated ability to operate commercially and support growth through financial insight
• Strong spreadsheet and systems capability; comfortable with financial reporting tools and ERP environments
• Confident communicating with non-financial stakeholders and translating numbers into strategy
• Leadership experience with the ability to build capability and raise standards in a team
• Comfortable in a less formal, fast-moving environment where pragmatism and adaptability matter