Director of Finance - Freight Forwarding

Director of Finance

Freight Forwarding Finance Leadership

£90,000 - £110,000 (neg) + Car allowance + bonus + benefits

An exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing, independent freight forwarding business in a senior finance leadership role, supporting continued profitable growth and strategic development.

Previous finance experience within a freight forwarding business is essential. This is not a generalist Finance Director role; you will need a strong understanding of the financial, commercial and operational dynamics of freight forwarding.

Reporting to the Group CEO, the Director of Finance will have overall responsibility for the finance function, providing strong financial control, commercial insight, performance management and strategic support to the Executive team.

The position could suit an experienced Freight Forwarding Finance Director, Head of Finance or Financial Controller, as well as a strong Senior Finance Manager looking to take the next step into a broader finance leadership role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance function, ensuring high standards of financial reporting, control and performance management.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and financial planning, providing clear financial information to support business decisions.
• Develop commercial finance and business partnering capability across the organisation.
• Take a proactive lead on working capital management, including debtor collection, aged debt reduction, cash flow and supplier negotiations.
• Oversee statutory accounts, external audit and financial compliance across the Group.
• Develop and embed effective financial policies, processes, controls and best-practice procedures.
• Provide strong financial governance, ensuring adherence to regulatory and business requirements.
• Produce regular management information, financial analysis and forecasts for the CEO and Executive team.
• Support the CEO with commercial analysis and due diligence relating to potential new ventures.
• Support M&A and financial due diligence activity as required.

About You

You will have significant finance experience gained within a freight forwarding business, with a strong understanding of the sector's commercial and operational environment.

Key experience should include:

• Finance experience within freight forwarding - essential.
• Financial reporting, management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.
• Working capital, credit control, debtor management and cash flow.
• Commercial finance and business partnering.
• Financial control, governance, statutory accounts and audit.
• Experience working with CEOs, Executive teams and operational stakeholders.
• Exposure to commercial due diligence, new ventures and/or M&A - preferred.
• A commercially minded, analytical and hands-on approach.

The Opportunity

A high-impact finance leadership position offering the opportunity to shape the finance function, strengthen commercial performance and play a key role in the continued growth of an established freight forwarding business.

Should you meet the above criteria and feel that you are a suitable candidate, please do not hesitate to apply.

Mode 3 Executive Search Ltd is an independent recruitment consultancy providing specialist talent finding services. Principally we operate within Supply Chain Management, Freight Forwarding, Shipping and the wider Global Transportation markets. We are always keen to connect with talented individuals working in Freight Forwarding, Freight Management, Import Freight, Export Freight, Sea Freight, Air Freight, Road Freight, Supply Chain, International Logistics.