Finance Operations Manager
Finance & Operations Manager
Caramel | London | £45,000–£50,000 | Full-time | Immediate start
Caramel is an independent British fashion brand with a strong international presence across retail, ecommerce and wholesale.
With stores in London and Paris, a concession in Selfridges, a significant business in Japan and customers around the world, we are looking for an experienced Finance & Operations Manager to join our London head office.
This is a hands-on role at the heart of the business, combining management accounting with commercial and operational responsibility. We are looking for someone who understands the realities of running a multi-channel fashion or retail business and can bring greater financial visibility, control and discipline to our day-to-day operations.
The role
You will take responsibility for the day-to-day financial management of the business, working closely with the Founder and senior team and coordinating with our external accountants where required.
Key responsibilities will include
- Preparing monthly management accounts and providing clear analysis of performance against budget and prior year
- Managing weekly cash flow, forecasting and working capital
- Maintaining budgets and financial forecasts across the business
- Monitoring sales, margin, stock, payroll and operating costs across retail, ecommerce and wholesale
- Managing accounts payable and receivable, supplier payments and credit control
- Overseeing bank reconciliations, VAT information and month-end processes
- Managing multi-currency transactions and international payments across GBP, EUR, USD and JPY
- Supporting payroll and ensuring accurate financial information is provided to external advisers
- Working closely with Buying and Merchandising on stock investment, intake, margin and stock exposure
- Monitoring store and channel profitability and identifying areas requiring action
- Supporting the commercial management of our UK and international operations
- Reviewing processes and controls across finance, purchasing, stock, logistics and operations
- Working with our systems and partners to improve the accuracy and flow of financial and operational information
- Producing concise weekly and monthly reporting for management
Who we are looking for
You will ideally be part-qualified CIMA, ACCA or ACA, or have equivalent management accounting experience, with a strong grounding in management accounts and commercial finance.
Experience within fashion, retail, luxury or another product-led consumer business is important. You should understand stock, margin, seasonal buying, markdown, VAT and the cash-flow demands of an inventory-based business.
Experience of international trading and working across multiple currencies would be particularly valuable.
We are looking for someone who is
- Commercially minded and confident working with numbers
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Comfortable moving between financial analysis and practical operational issues
- Confident challenging costs, assumptions and processes when necessary
- Able to create structure and improve systems rather than simply maintain existing processes
- Comfortable working directly with a Founder and senior management
- Pragmatic, proactive and happy working in a fast-moving entrepreneurial business
Experience with Shopify, Xero and retail/accounting or inventory management systems would be an advantage, as would experience of ecommerce and international retail.
This is an opportunity to take real ownership of finance and operations within an established independent British brand and play an important role in strengthening the business as it develops internationally.
Salary: £45,000–£50,000 depending on experience
Location: London
Start: Immediate
To apply, please send your CV with a short note outlining your relevant fashion/retail and management accounting experience.
