Senior Manager - Audit & Financial Reporting

ASR Group is the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar, with an annual production capacity of more than 6 million tons of sugar. The company produces a full line of grocery, industrial, food service and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group owns and operates six sugar refineries, located in Louisiana, New York, California, Maryland, Canada and Mexico. In the European Union, the company owns and operates sugar refineries in England, Portugal. ASR Group also owns and operates mills in Mexico and Belize. The company’s brand portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s® and Sidul®.

ROLE / SCOPE

The purpose of this role is to manage the financial reporting function, deliver regular reporting requirements, perform technical accounting research, ensure compliance with Group accounting policies and improve / maintain internal controls within the European business of ASR Group. This is an outward facing role requiring production of high quality, robust financial information including statutory accounts (under IFRS) and management reporting, which is heavily relied upon for evaluating performance and making business decisions. This position requires an intimate understanding of the business in order to produce valuable commentary / insight and to be able to challenge the reported results.

People development is one of our company’s core cultural pillars. This is an ideal role for an ambitious and motivated individual looking to develop the next stage of their career. Top performing employees at a similar level have been sponsored to complete MBAs and other advanced level degrees and qualifications. In the medium-term opportunities would likely arise to broaden experience in other areas of finance, for example FP&A, Operational Finance or Commercial Finance, as interest/opportunity dictates.

This role will primarily be based at Thames Refinery in East London with attendance at our Corporate Office in Covent Garden as required. Flexible/remote working maximum of 3 days per week.

POSITION STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND KEY DELIVERABLES

• Develop and implement accounting policies and procedures in conformance with the latest IFRS guidance
• Lead efforts to improve and shorten the consolidated monthly, quarterly and annual financial close process
• Drive change to increase efficiency and quality through automation, process improvement and streamlining tasks
• Oversee accounting for the trading arm of the business which uses derivatives and fixed price contracts to manage the business’s exposure to risk
• Gain a deep understanding of the end-to-end business and develop a broad network within the company
• Identify the information needs of the leadership team and deliver this via insightful presentations
• Support M&A activity including due diligence and preparation of purchase accounting entries

DETAILED ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Co-ordinate the preparation of the European Group reporting package and the statutory accounts for two UK trading entities including the European Group consolidation
• Prepare and publish the monthly consolidated management results within a tight timeline
• Project manage and direct the budgeting and forecasting process
• Research complex and technical accounting matters and ensure our position is approved by the external auditors
• Work with internal audit to ensure appropriate design of and adherence to internal financial controls
• Own and manage the external audit
• Develop people through internal rotations and build a cross-trained team
• Undertake ad hoc projects

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Strategic mindset and business focus – always considers the wider business impact
• Excellent technical accounting and research skills including experience of complex areas such as financial instruments and hedge accounting, foreign exchange, consolidation and acquisition accounting
• Proactive, curious and self-motivated with an ability to drill into the detail and drive improvements where necessary
• Experience of running and improving monthly/quarterly/annual close process
• Strong managerial skills with the ability to delegate clearly, develop people and lead by example
• Excellent analytical skills and impeccable business judgment
• Effective communication and presentation skills – at all levels
• Must be comfortable in a fast growing, rapidly changing environment, wearing multiple hats as needs arise
• Experience with an integrated ERP system required - SAP experience preferred
• Strong Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint and Word skills essential, experience of Power BI / Anaplan preferred

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• Significant experience in accounting and reporting with experience in a major accounting and auditing firm preferred
• Demonstrable managerial/leadership experience

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree – second class honours minimum
• ACA or equivalent accounting qualification
• Advanced knowledge of IFRS

At Tate & Lyle Sugars, the group's values are the cornerstone of our success.

Leadership - our goal is to be the leader in every arena in which we compete. Teamwork - our strength is magnified when we work together. Integrity - honesty and trust are the foundation of our success.Service - we know that the people and communities in which we operate are crucial partners to our success. Sustainability - the member companies of ASR Group are committed to sustainable agricultural and business practices.