Financial Controller & Head of Operations – Finance & Trade

About the role

Our client, a fast‑growing commodity trading and investment platform, is looking for a Finance Director to lead Finance & Accounting and Trade Finance functions. Reporting to the COO, you will manage a lean team and own end‑to‑end financial control, reporting, trade finance and fund‑related activities across trading, structured finance and investment vehicles.

Key responsibilities

• Lead finance and accounting for commodity trading, trade finance and investment entities.
• Design and maintain robust financial controls over contracts, settlements, hedging, inventory and mark‑to‑market reporting.
• Monitor P&L performance, pricing, exposures and risk metrics of trading desks.
• Oversee trade finance operations, covenant compliance, warehouse receipts and funding utilisation.
• Drive ERP/finance system implementation, optimisation and reporting visibility.
• Prepare management reports, dashboards and board‑level packs for senior leadership.
• Consolidate group accounts, manage statutory reporting under SFRS, audits and tax compliance across jurisdictions.
• Manage cash flow, liquidity planning and inter‑company funding for trading, GP, SPV and fund structures.
• Report fund finance metrics such as NAV, IRR/TVPI, capital calls, distributions and carried interest.
• Partner with deal teams on investment structuring, SPV setup and exit scenarios.
• Mentor and develop the finance and trade finance team.

Required profile

• Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field; professional qualification (CA, CPA, ACCA) preferred.
• 10‑15 years of finance/accounting experience in a commodity trading environment.
• Proven track record managing full‑spectrum finance, reporting, treasury, tax, statutory compliance and trade finance.
• Prior Big 4 audit experience advantageous.
• Exposure to private equity, venture capital, structured trade finance or fund finance is a plus.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to work in fast‑paced, lean teams.

Required skills

• Advanced Excel
• Power BI
• ERP/accounting systems such as SAP B1, Microsoft Dynamics, Xero, NetSuite