Cookie Time Limited is a highly successful, entrepreneurial and innovation-led food company. For over 40 years, we've been making some of New Zealand's most loved food brands: Cookie Time, Bumper, OSM, Em's Power Cookies and Higgins. Our business covers franchised distribution, retail, licensing and manufacturing. Financial excellence, integrity and sound commercial decision-making are central to our success, and we’re looking for someone who will share in that passion.
Based at our Christchurch head office in Templeton and reporting to the Group Financial Controller, this is a team-focused, hands-on leadership role that leads the delivery of the core finance functions. With the day-to-day management of these core functions, your day will be spread across a team of four and help deliver accurate reporting, strong financial controls and streamlined processes. This will enable you to lean into practical commercial insights across the Cookie Time Group.
The role
Your key responsibilities will include:
Leading the month-end process and delivering accurate, timely management reporting for the owners and the board.
Preparing and reviewing management accounts, reconciliations, journals, and supporting schedules.
Providing clear analysis of financial results, trends, and variances.
Supporting budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning.
Maintaining strong cash flow, working capital, and balance sheet performance.
Maintaining strong financial controls and supporting tax, statutory reporting, and audit requirements.
Overseeing accounts receivable, accounts payable, credit management and payroll, where you will be driven by Working Capital KPI’s.
Improving finance systems, reporting, data quality, and business processes.
Leading, coaching and developing a capable, accountable and service-focused AR/AP/Payroll teams, creating cross-training opportunities and a real team ethos.
Working closely with senior leaders and non-finance stakeholders to support sound commercial decision-making.
About you
You will be a commercially minded finance professional who combines strong technical accounting capability with an approachable, flexible leadership style. Ideally, you will bring:
A relevant accounting, finance or business qualification.
CA, CPA or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
At least five years’ experience in a similar commercial finance or accounting role.
Strong financial and management accounting experience.
Experience leading or supervising a small finance team.
A sound understanding of financial controls, compliance, balance sheet management and what it means to be audit ready.
Strong Excel and ERP systems capability, with Odoo experience advantageous.
Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, or similar commercial environment preferred.
Exposure to finance transformation, system implementation, and process improvement would be an advantage.
Payroll experience and a sound understanding of New Zealand payroll legislation a must.
You will be analytical, organised and detail-focused, while still able to understand the wider commercial picture. You will communicate confidently, explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders, and be comfortable taking ownership, challenging issues and driving improvements. You will work with a supportive team, have exposure across the wider business, and play an important role in strengthening and improving the Group’s finance function.