Financial Controller

Financial Controller

 Location: Leeds - Gelderd Road

The Role

As Financial Controller, you’ll be accountable for the financial health of the business. You’ll lead the day-to-day finance operation while partnering closely with senior leadership to drive performance, manage risk, and support large-scale change initiatives.

This role goes beyond traditional control. You’ll play a central part in business restructuring, ERP implementation, and cultural transformation helping to shape how finance supports the organisation for the long term.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting in line with accounting standards and regulatory requirements

• Lead the budgeting and forecasting process, providing clear insight to support strategic decision-making

• Manage cash flow and working capital to maintain financial stability and operational flexibility

• Oversee financial analysis to identify cost efficiencies, synergy savings, and investment opportunities

• Design, implement, and maintain robust internal controls, ensuring compliance with tax and statutory obligations

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing finance team, embedding strong standards and accountability

• Actively support strategic initiatives, including business restructuring, ERP implementation, and transformation programmes

Areas of Responsibility

Financial Reporting

• Preparation, review, and analysis of monthly and annual financial statements

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Ownership of the budget cycle, variance analysis, and forward-looking financial insight

Cash Flow & Working Capital

• Ensuring liquidity, optimising working capital, and strengthening cash controls

Financial Analysis & Strategy

• ROI analysis, investment appraisals, and scenario modelling to support business decisions

Compliance & Controls

• Internal controls, audit management, and oversight of tax and regulatory compliance

Team Leadership

• Developing capability within the finance team and building a strong performance culture

Business Partnership

• Working closely with senior management to influence financial and operational strategy

About You

You’ll be a confident, commercially-minded finance leader who thrives in change and enjoys building strong, reliable finance functions.

You’ll bring:

• Significant experience in senior finance roles, ideally as a Financial Controller

• Strong technical accounting knowledge and understanding of regulatory requirements

• Proven capability across financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management

• Experience delivering high-level financial analysis to support strategic decisions

• A collaborative leadership style with experience developing finance teams

• Excellent communication skills and the credibility to challenge and influence senior stakeholders

• Strong systems capability, including ERP environments and advanced Excel

Qualifications & Technical Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA – essential)

• In-depth knowledge of accounting standards, financial regulations, and internal controls

• Strong understanding of corporate finance, tax, and audit requirements

• Experience supporting ERP implementations and business transformation programmes

Why Join Panda?

• A senior, influential role during a critical period of change

• Opportunity to shape the future finance operating model

• Exposure to large-scale transformation and ERP delivery

• Hybrid working with a strong leadership presence in Leeds

• A values-led organisation focused on sustainability, safety, and long-term success

We are Panda. We value waste.

We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.

At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together.

We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward.

We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make.

And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing.

Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact.

Take the first step and join us on the journey.

Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.
(DE&I Policy Statement)