Financial Controller

Job Description:

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

15-MONTH MATERNITY COVER

SANDIACRE, NG10 5AN (ONSITE)

COMPETITIVE SALARY

Are you a Financial Controller looking for a high‑impact role with real breadth and leadership responsibility?

We're looking for an experienced and forward thinking Financial Controller to lead our Financial Accounting and Transactional Services functions across Progress Rail Services UK Ltd, Progress Rail Leasing UK Ltd, and Electro‑Motive Diesel Ltd.

In this key leadership role, you'll take ownership of our month‑end close, oversee all tax activities, and ensure robust European branch accounting. You'll guide our Accounts Payable, Credit Control, and Treasury teams, acting as the primary point of contact for our external auditors.

This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a broad, influential position where you'll shape financial excellence across multiple business entities and support our continued operational success.

THE ROLE:
As a Financial Controller, you will be required to:

• Lead the financial accounting function across all three UK entities, ensuring strong financial control and full compliance with US GAAP, SOX and internal standards.
• Manage the complete month‑end close process, delivering accurate and timely financial reporting and insightful analysis.
• Oversee statutory and tax reporting requirements, including VAT returns, National Statistics submissions, fixed asset and lease accounting, and branch accounts for Germany, Belgium and Croatia.
• Act as the primary liaison with PwC, managing the year‑end audit from planning through to completion and ensuring all information is provided accurately and on time.
• Maintain adherence to regulatory, quality, safety, environmental and company procedures, supporting a secure, safe and productive working environment.
• Provide leadership and direction to a team comprising:
  • 3 direct reports - Transaction Services Manager, Financial Accountant, Assistant Financial Accountant
  • 6 indirect team members - Accounts Payable Manager (1), Accounts Payable Clerks (2), Cashier and Credit Controllers (2), Accounts Clerk
• Provide technical accounting support to FP&A teams and act as deputy for the Finance Director where required.
• Support operational and financial performance by offering insight into results and contributing to opportunities for OPACC and wider business improvement.
• Lead the finance contribution on business projects, offering technical and commercial input.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial systems, reporting processes and quality assurance through issue analysis, solution development and implementation.
• Promote Progress Rail and Caterpillar values, ensuring high standards of stewardship, resource use and ethical conduct across the finance function.
• Ensure all reporting timetables are met, producing accurate information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support wider team objectives, collaborating effectively to meet collective deadlines and maintain strong internal controls.

THE CANDIDATE:
The ideal Financial Controller:

• Qualified Accountant (CIMA/ACA/ACCA).
• Minimum of 5 years finance experience within financial accounting.
• Strong leadership skills and development of team
• Ability to produce business cases/reports and lead business projects.
• Self-starter with proven ability to work on own initiative.
• Proactive approach to identification and resolution of improvement opportunities.
• Ability to deal with change and prioritise workload in a changing environment.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to make sound decisions aligned to wider business strategy.
• Excellent Communication skills.
• Experience of ERP systems, Microsoft Office packages, particularly excel.
• Experience of Microsoft Dynamics desire, not essential.
• Numerate and articulate.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive salary
• Generous pension scheme with 7% employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support
• Discounted gym membership - up to 25% off at 4,000+ UK gyms
• Fuel card savings of 2-3p per litre at 3,500 stations, including BP, Esso and Shell
• Employee recognition schemes celebrating great work
• 33 days' holiday per year (inclusive of bank/public holidays)

ABOUT PROGRESS RAIL:

Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified providers of rolling stock and infrastructure solutions and technologies for the global rail industry. The company provides advanced EMD® locomotives, engines, and technologies, railcars, trackwork, fasteners, signalling, rail welding and Kershaw Maintenance-of-Way equipment, along with dedicated locomotive and freight car repair services, aftermarket parts support and recycling operations.

Progress Rail's deep industry expertise ensures a commitment to quality through innovative solutions. With a global network across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Australia, China, Germany, India, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, we are committed to serving our customers.

PROGRESS RAIL VALUES:

• Integrity - the power of honesty
• Excellence - the power of quality
• Teamwork - the power of working together
• Commitment - the power of responsibility
• Sustainability - the power of endurance

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
Progress Rail is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We value and embrace diversity of thought, background and unique experiences and we pride ourselves on being an inclusive workforce and culture.

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this role, please click on the link provided. If you would like any further information about this vacancy before applying, please feel free to contact Taher Rahman at our Sandiacre site.

We would politely request no agencies please.