Finance Director - UK & Ireland

Associated British Foods; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food and ingredients company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Finance & IT Director to shape business strategy and drive growth. This strategic role involves steering financial performance, building a high-performing team, and leading IT transformation efforts. Ideal candidates will possess strong commercial finance skills and a background in food manufacturing. This position offers a full-time commitment in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Track record in driving growth and profitability through strategic influence.
• Experience in collaborating with senior teams to shape business direction.
• Ability to operate in a complex, multi-site business.

Responsibilities

• Steer business strategy and financial performance.
• Build and strengthen a high-performing finance team.
• Lead IT transformation, including next-generation ERP rollout.

Skills

Commercial finance

Business partnering

Analytical skills

Financial planning

Leadership

Education

Professional finance qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

Founder and Managing Director - QLM Search - Delivering global executive talent solutions

QLM Search is working in partnership with AB Mauri UK & Ireland.

AB Mauri is a division of Associated British Foods plc (ABF), a FTSE 100 group and one of the world’s most respected names in food and ingredients. Operating in over 100 countries, with 52 manufacturing sites and 8,200 employees, AB Mauri combines local agility with global strength. In 2024, ABF reported £20 billion in group sales, spanning Retail, Grocery, Ingredients, Sugar, and Agriculture.

At AB Mauri, our devolved model empowers local businesses like AB Mauri UK & Ireland to move fast, innovate boldly, and deliver with purpose, supported by the scale and resources of a world‑class organisation.

AB Mauri UK & Ireland is a market leader in yeast and technical bakery ingredients, proudly serving both industrial and craft bakers across the UK and Ireland. With a heritage built from three respected businesses – Cereform, Mauri Products and GB Plange UK – we combine deep technical expertise, a comprehensive product portfolio and a strong commitment to sustainability, quality, performance and customer partnerships.

As a major contributor within the global AB Mauri Division, we are recognised for our technical leadership, market presence and community engagement and now we are seeking a Finance & IT Director to help shape our next phase of growth.

The Opportunity

As Finance & IT Director, you will be a key member of the UK & Ireland Executive Leadership Team, a strategic partner to the Managing Director, helping to shape the business strategy, drive growth and ensure strong governance across all financial and IT functions.

This is a high‑impact, strategic role, ideal for a commercially minded finance leader who thrives on driving transformation, shaping business direction and delivering sustainable growth.

• Steering business strategy and financial performance across the UK & Ireland operations
• Building and strengthening a high‑performing finance team
• Providing forward‑looking insights and robust business partnering to enable data‑driven decisions
• Leading M&A financial workstreams, from valuation and due diligence to integration
• Overseeing IT transformation, including the rollout of a next‑generation ERP system
• Engaging with the EMEA Regional Leadership Team to influence strategy and share impactful business insights

You will have:

• A strong background in commercial finance, with a track record of driving growth and profitability through insight, challenge and strategic influence
• Proven experience in strategic business partnering, collaborating with Managing Directors, Sales, Operations and R&D teams to shape direction and deliver results
• The ability to operate in a complex, multi‑site business with a diverse customer base and broad product portfolio, balancing volume‑driven, commodity‑led operations with value‑added solutions
• Sharp analytical and commercial instincts, able to translate financial data into actionable strategies that enhance margins, optimise pricing and improve performance
• Experience leading financial planning, forecasting and decision support in dynamic, fast‑paced environments
• A natural ability to build credibility across the business, combining financial rigour with clear communication and commercial empathy
• A track record of influencing at senior level – both within your own organisation and across regional or global structures
• Professional finance qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) and significant post‑qualification experience in Food & Ingredients manufacturing or industrial environments

If you’re a forward‑thinking finance leader ready to make a tangible impact in a world‑class business, please make contact with our search partners [e-mail] and [e-mail] to arrange a confidential discussion.

Job Details

• Senior Level: Director
• Employment Type: Full‑time
• Function: Finance
• Industry: Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Manufacturing