Finance Manager (Hybrid)

Synthomer is an innovative and differentiated global leader in sustainable polymer solutions. The Group is one of the world’s foremost suppliers of water-based polymers and has leadership positions in many markets. Our polymers help customers create innovative new products and enhance the performance of existing products in key industries such as coatings, construction, adhesives, textiles, paper and nitrile medical gloves.

With the acquisition of Eastman Adhesive Resins in 2022 and Omnova Solutions in 2020, Synthomer grew its global manufacturing network, expanded its product portfolio and boosted its geographical presence, allowing it to better serve over 6000 customers around the world. Synthomer has its operational headquarters in London, UK, and provides customer-focused services from regional centres in Harlow, UK; Marl, Germany; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Beachwood, Ohio, USA. It employs more than 5000 employees across over 40 sites and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Purpose of role:

To effectively oversee and handle financial accounting and local compliance, which encompasses statutory accounting, auditing, and group submissions for actuals, budgets, and forecasts. This role involves managing a team of at least two direct reports, ensuring they receive proper mentorship. Additionally, it requires providing leadership and guidance to the team to consistently meet stakeholders' expectations.

Main accountabilities:

• Manage the team to guarantee the timely and precise generation of monthly management accounts, financial reports, and other necessary documentation in accordance with Company policies.

• Ensure that balance sheet reconciliations are promptly reviewed in Blackline, maintaining a clean balance sheet with no aged or unresolved items, while fostering a culture of timely preparation within the team.

• Supervise the creation of statutory accounts for the relevant legal entities, ensuring timely filing.

• Take overall responsibility for assets under construction, ensuring they are capitalised promptly, which includes holding regular meetings with the team to review the monthly aged and overrun report.

• Collaborate with the VAT manager and Tax Manager/Consultants to ensure full tax compliance.

• Provide support to external auditors during interim and year-end audits, ensuring timely provision of information.

• Work alongside the internal audit department to ensure that any issues they raise are addressed and resolved by the due date.

• Ensure the GRIR account is effectively managed by the team, with no aged balances left unresolved or unexplained.

• Oversee the review and timely submission of the weekly cash flow forecast.

• Take charge of preparing and submitting the annual balance sheet budget while supporting the budgeting process for the profit and loss statement.

• Manage stakeholder expectations, identify and implement process improvements, and lead a team of an accountant and accounts assistant, focusing on their development and training.

• Assist the Head of European Accounting Operations with finance projects and ad-hoc requests.

• Ensure compliance by all accounting personnel with Company and departmental rules, policies, and procedures.

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and implementation of policies and internal controls and ensure all related process documentation is reviewed and updated continuously.

• Ensure that team job descriptions, performance objectives, appraisals, and career development processes are thoroughly completed.

• Cultivate a culture that promotes process enhancement, high-performing teams, and exceptional customer service.

• Possess extensive experience and sound judgment in planning and achieving goals.

• Guide a team towards achieving top-tier results while ensuring employee engagement, development, and succession planning.

• Have experience working across functions and within a matrix environment.

• Show a proven track record of managing multiple projects and priorities concurrently.

Minimum Requirements:
Education: Educated to degree level; Completed professional Accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA or equivalent)
Experience: Minimum of 3 years’ experience in similar role. Prior experience of working in a large, complex financial environment, managing stakeholders (preferable manufacturing). SAP or similar ERP system experience is required.

In addition, we offer a highly desirable benefits package:

• Private health insurance

• Company bonus scheme

• Contributory pension

• Cycle to work scheme

• Life insurance

• Support counselling

• Company social events throughout the year

Location and Travel requirements:
This position is part of the European Shared Service Centre team in Harlow (UK, Essex), 3 days per week minimum in Harlow office as part of hybrid working plan is required. Some infrequent travel expected to other Synthomer locations for the purpose of collaboration and training.

Why Synthomer?

We are ambitious!
We have grown significantly – both organically and inorganically. We are a FTSE 250 listed company, 22% of our revenue comes from newly commercialized products, and we’re recognized in the top-quartile for chemicals manufacturing safety.​
We believe in high challenge, high support!
We are keen to let you contribute in real roles from day 1. We expect a lot, but offer a lot, too. This includes onboarding, induction and learning events, networking opportunities, mentoring and personal development planning. So, be up for an inspiring long-term career adventure.​
We personalize our approach to development!
At Synthomer, you won't find generic career tracks or development programs but rather a one-size-fits-one approach to employee development. We'll partner with you to ensure you have the right experiences that build your capabilities and accelerate your career growth.