Job Introduction
As we continue our mission to make people and nature happy through chocolate, we’re looking for a Transactions & Cash Cycle Senior Manager to join our Finance team on a full-time, permanent (40 hours per week) basis.
Reporting to the Head of Tax, Treasury & Financial Reporting, this is a high-profile leadership role responsible for driving the effective management of cashflow across Hotel Chocolat. You’ll business partner with senior stakeholders across the organisation — including the CFO, Finance Director, Supply and Commercial Finance teams, Group Finance, and Department Heads — to optimise working capital, enhance liquidity, and deliver meaningful financial insight.
You’ll lead our Transactions Processing team (7 colleagues across Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable), overseeing end-to-end AP and AR operations while driving automation, simplification and continuous improvement. We’re looking for a hands-on, solution-focused collaborator who can grasp complexity, make it simple, and confidently hold stakeholders to account.
As well as a competitive salary and a range of company benefits, you’ll receive 50% discount on all products, and a 70% discount for you and your guests when you stay at our Rabot Estate hideaway on the paradise island of Saint Lucia.
(Mint House – Hybrid Working)
Here at Hotel Chocolat, we've adopted hybrid working. This means you’ll join us on site for three days a week, and for the other two days – you can work from wherever you like! The on-site location for this role is our support office, ‘Mint House’, in Royston, Hertfordshire. Our home from the very beginning, it’s just off the A505 and 10 minutes’ walk from Royston train station, with direct rail links to London King’s Cross.
What you’ll be doing….
Leadership & Team Development
Lead, coach and develop the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams to deliver operational excellence
Set clear objectives, KPIs and service-level expectations to ensure accuracy, timeliness and compliance
Transactional Operations & Controls
Oversee full AP and AR cycles, including invoice processing, payments, credit control, reconciliations and month-end close
Ensure strong financial controls and compliance with accounting standards and audit requirements
Monitor ageing reports and proactively manage outstanding balances
Cash & Working Capital Management
Lead periodic reporting and drive process efficiencies to support accurate cash analysis
Partner with FP&A on forecasting, planning and performance analysis
Align with the Mars Cash Centre of Excellence programme, embedding best practice processes within HC
Build and maintain a comprehensive KPI suite to track cash performance
Support delivery of IVCP, AEP, quarterly forecasts and year-end estimates
Actively manage DSO and DPO performance to optimise cash flow
Process Improvement & Automation
Identify and deliver automation and simplification initiatives across AP and AR
Develop and embed best practice processes to enhance efficiency and control
Stakeholder Collaboration & Audit Support
Collaborate with Procurement, Sales and Finance Business Partners to improve end-to-end processes impacting cash
Lead preparation for and support internal and external audits
Who you are…
You’re a qualified finance leader who combines technical excellence with commercial acumen. You’re comfortable operating at senior levels, challenging constructively and influencing across functions. Detail-focused but big-picture minded, you simplify complexity, drive accountability and lead teams confidently through change. You bring energy, resilience and a continuous improvement mindset from day one.
Essential
Qualified finance professional (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
Proven experience managing AP and AR functions
Strong track record of delivering automation and process improvements
Experience in cashflow planning, reporting and working capital optimisation
Strong commercial awareness and understanding of key business drivers
High attention to detail with the ability to simplify complex topics
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
Demonstrable people leadership experience
Desirable
Retail and/or Manufacturing experience
Experience using Microsoft D365
Who are we?
We’re one of the UK’s favourite premium chocolate brands, with a range of products spanning luxury gifts, alcohol and our pioneering drinking chocolate system, the Velvetiser™.
A cacao pod takes years to grow – it can’t be rushed if it’s going to be just right for our products. The same can be said for Hotel Chocolat, which originally started as a mint production company before we realised it was luxury chocolate that we were really passionate about.
Now, we’re market leaders in the industry. What began as an online-only business grew to over 140 stores across the UK, and we’re still growing… Today, we’re multi-category, multi-channel, and multi-territory, and our customers, colleagues, cacao farmers and suppliers all benefit from the success we make together.
To learn more about us and read about our People Pledge – our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion – click here: hotelchocolat.com/uk/engaged-ethics/our-people.html