Financial Controller - House of Hazelwood

Job Introduction

William Grant & Sons (WG&S) is the largest independent family-owned Distiller within the Scotch market, with the world’s number one Single Malt whisky (Glenfiddich), number three Blended Scotch (Grant’s) and a range of strong brands catering to the needs of mainstream (Balvenie, Monkey Shoulder), and enthusiast / specialist audiences (Ailsa Bay, Girvan Patent Still).

Our Brand & Ambition

House of Hazelwood opens the doors to the world’s greatest collection of aged Scotch whisky. Initially targeting enthusiasts, collectors and the luxury gifting market we draw on the breadth and depth of the William Grant & Sons reserves to offer our audience access not just to very old whiskies, but also to storytelling whiskies of rarity and parcels of stock that the market has never seen before.

Culture

The business operates with an entrepreneurial, nimble culture that will take advantage of all opportunities presented by the market. We are seeking candidates that are keen to get in at the ground level of a new business and who can embrace a start-up mindset, often being asked to stretch themselves both within and outside their functional area, to learn on the job and to support other team-members in areas beyond their immediate job specification.  It is essential that the candidates we see understand and are excited by this type of business culture. It is also essential that they are comfortable and confident in taking full ownership of their area of the business – taking accountability and delivering results in line with objectives set by the board.

Main Responsibility

Reporting to the Finance Director QSI, this role will manage and oversee the Financial and Operational requirements of the House of Hazelwood company, ensuring strong financial controls / governance alongside managing an agile and efficient Operational process from order to fulfilment. Responsible for leading the Operations team (x2) as well as providing day-to-day support to the wider House of Hazelwood team.

House of Hazelwood operates all aspects of bottling, repack, warehousing and pick-pack and dispatch from the WG&S Arete site in Cumbernauld, which is the Group luxury bottling and warehousing facility. This is a shared facility used by other brands owned by the Group. The successful candidate for this position will represent and promote House of Hazelwood’s best interests at all times internally, ensuring our business receives the support it requires, that processes are optimized and that costs recharged to the business are fair and reasonable.

Our Ideal Candidate

This is a key role within the House of Hazelwood team. Required attributes for the role include:

• Strong technical accounting knowledge, evidenced by a degree in Accounting, Finance (or a related field, chartered qualifications) as well as demonstrable experience in a relevant finance role.
• Managerial Experience and track record of developing small teams.
• Experience of producing budgets, managing forecasts and running an annual audit
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organisational and analytical skills, critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Exceptional Excel skills. Working knowledge of management software programs (e.g. QuickBooks / IFS)
• Experience of working closely alongside or ideally managing operations function in previous roles.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate financial complexity into terms that enable decision-making.
• Ability to think commercially, with an emphasis on constantly improving profitability.
• Ability to reliably work productively and to set own schedule without constant supervision.
• Adaptability, energy, with a desire to stretch themselves within the role and learn through action.
• Understanding of premium spirits or Scotch whisky is desirable but not essential.

What we can offer you

• We offer a competitive salary and benefits which are designed to promote our employees financial wellbeing. Employees are also eligible to participate in a bonus plan.
• Our employees enjoy a generous holiday entitlement and an opportunity to ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ some holiday entitlement.
• Private Healthcare and Doctor@Hand (remote GP service).
• Our employees can join a defined contribution pension plan. Employees contribute either 4% or 5% of salary, the company contributes 8% or 10% depending on the employee contribution. Employee contributions can be made through salary sacrifice.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme offers practical, impartial support on everyday matters ranging from medical, financial and legal to home and family issues. 
• Our Life Assurance cover is a multiple of eight times your annual basic salary.
• Product allocation so that you can enjoy our fantastic portfolio of brands.
• Our Cycle to Work scheme allows you to hire a bike for an agreed length of time, and then snap it up for a fraction of its original value. All while making savings (at least 25%) and spreading the cost.
• Every employee has the opportunity to claim up to £1,000 per year for a charity or charities for which they have raised money, volunteered their time or personally donated.
• Learning resources to help you be your best self.

About William Grant & Sons

A HOME FOR RARE CHARACTERS

William Grant & Sons: a home where Rare Characters thrive.

We value every employee for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Every one of our colleagues has a role to play in helping us to achieve our growth ambitions.

At William Grant & Sons, our vision is to be A home where rare characters thrive. We value all colleagues for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We strive to create an environment where we can all be our best and bring our whole selves to work.

OUR AGILE WORKING PHILOSOPHY

Our agile working philosophy is to “Have your best work day everyday”.
Built on trust, we empower our rare characters to have their best work day every day. Where flexibility and positive working experiences help employees to feel connected and release potential across our teams.
We are open to discussing possible agile/flexible working options as part of the recruitment process.

INCLUSIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive.