Job Description

Driven to create unique home-grown food concepts that bring people together, the Independent Food Company is a UAE-based hospitality company with multiple concepts under its umbrella - SALT, Parker's, Grind, Somewhere, Public, Soil and Kumo. We are presently seeking to hire a highly qualified Finance Manager, who is responsible for overseeing all financial activities of the restaurant group, including budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, and cost control. This role ensures that all financial operations support business objectives and profitability across multiple outlets. The Finance Manager will partner closely with operations, procurement, and management to maintain strong financial discipline and provide strategic insights that drive business growth.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Financial Reporting & Compliance:

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with accounting standards and local regulations.
• Ensure timely consolidation and accuracy of outlet-level financial reports.
• Support internal and external audits and coordinate with auditors for statutory compliance.
• Maintain general ledger integrity and ensure adherence to accounting principles.
• Prepare management reports, KPI dashboards, and variance analyses.

2. Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning:

• Develop annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long-term financial plans for all outlets.
• Conduct variance analysis against budgets and prior periods to identify trends and improvement areas.
• Partner with operational teams to track financial performance and recommend corrective measures.
• Provide insights on pricing, menu engineering, and cost optimization to improve margins.

3. Accounts Payable & Receivable Management:

• Oversee the end-to-end accounts payable process, ensuring timely vendor payments and accurate expense recording.
• Review supplier contracts and payment terms to optimize cash flow.
• Manage accounts receivable, credit control, and collection processes to minimize outstanding dues.
• Ensure proper reconciliation of vendor and customer accounts.

4. Cash Flow & Treasury Management

• Monitor daily cash positions and working capital requirements across all outlets:
• Forecast cash needs and manage inter-company fund transfers effectively.
• Oversee banking relationships, loan facilities, and financing arrangements.
• Ensure adequate liquidity while optimizing the use of available funds.

5. Cost Control & Operational Finance:

• Collaborate with operations to manage food, beverage, and labor costs effectively.
• Analyze inventory, wastage, and cost of goods sold to identify improvement opportunities.
• Support procurement in evaluating supplier pricing, contracts, and performance.
• Implement controls around store-level expenditures, petty cash, and stock management.

6. Internal Controls, Systems & Process Improvement:

• Design, implement, and maintain strong internal control systems and SOPs.
• Drive process improvements and automation through ERP, POS, and accounting system integrations.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, financial regulations, and audit standards.
• Lead finance-related digital transformation or software migration projects.

7. Strategic & Project Finance:

• Conduct financial feasibility studies for new restaurant openings and capital investments.
• Support business cases for expansion, franchising, or restructuring initiatives.
• Evaluate ROI for marketing campaigns, promotional activities, and operational initiatives.
• Provide strategic financial insights to senior management for decision-making.

8. Leadership & Team Management:

• Supervise and develop the finance and accounting team across outlets.
• Provide training, guidance, and performance feedback to ensure professional growth.
• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement within the team. Other Duties Regular attendance and adherence to company standards are essential.
• Given the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, flexibility in working hours may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management to support overall business operations.

9. VAT Compliance & Reporting:

• Ensure end-to-end VAT compliance across entities, including accurate VAT returns, reconciliations, FTA audits, and advisory on VAT treatment of complex transactions.

10. Corporate Tax Management:

• Lead UAE Corporate Tax compliance, including tax computations, return filings, transfer pricing coordination, and ongoing assessment of tax efficiency and regulatory changes

Skills Required