About the Role
At Santos Organics, financial integrity is at the heart of our success. As Financial Controller, you play a critical leadership role in ensuring the organisation's financial health, operational efficiency, and compliance with all statutory and ethical obligations.
This role requires a meticulous balance between accuracy and efficiency—where every financial decision impacts the sustainability of our mission.
From strategic investment planning to daily financial operations, your expertise will drive financial resilience while upholding SO's commitment to ethical business practices and community impact.
As a purpose-driven organisation, we believe in transparency, collaboration, and accountability. You will be expected to communicate financial insights with clarity, empowering the GM, Board of Directors, and broader team with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
Beyond the numbers, your leadership will shape a finance function that is proactive, innovative, and aligned with SO's values. Whether optimising cash flow, managing risk, or guiding long-term financial strategies, your role is essential in building a financially sustainable future for Santos Organics—one that benefits our team, suppliers, customers, and the broader community.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
* Financial Strategy & Leadership:
o Lead financial strategy, ensuring alignment with SO's long-term sustainability and growth objectives.
o Develop and implement financial policies, internal controls, and best practices to enhance efficiency and transparency.
o Conduct financial risk assessments and proactively mitigate risks associated with market changes, regulatory updates, and investment decisions.
o Provide financial insights and recommendations to support strategic initiatives, capital investments, and expansion plans.
o Provide necessary financial data & reports to Finance team on a timely basis to ensure their priorities and tasks are focused appropriately.
* Financial Management & Compliance:
o Oversee the finance department, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of all financial transactions.
o Prepare and present monthly departmental and consolidated Profit & Loss, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow statements with variance analysis to the GM and BOD.
o Manage the budgeting and forecasting process in collaboration with department heads.
o Ensure compliance with all statutory financial reporting, including ASIC, ACNC, BAS, FBT, PAYG, Superannuation Guarantee, and tax obligations.
o Work with external auditors to ensure timely production of statutory financial reports.
o Develop funding proposals to support SO's NFP status and identify new funding opportunities.
o Oversee inventory management, stock takes, and internal audits to maintain financial accuracy.
o Monitor supplier payment terms, negotiate payment plans, and provide detailed cash flow forecasts.
o Implement and monitor internal audit programs and oversee governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
* Technology, Systems & Process Improvement:
o Ensure optimal integration and performance of financial systems, including Point of Sale (POS), Inventory Management System (IMS/DEAR), and Xero.
o Develop, refine, and implement systems to ensure best and accurate margins, streamlined reporting, and operational efficiencies.
o Work with the People & Culture Manager to ensure payroll is processed efficiently, compliant with taxation and award conditions as well as ensuring data accuracy.
o Evaluate current IT systems and recommend improvements to enhance financial and operational performance.
o Lead automation and process optimization efforts to improve financial workflows and reduce manual workload.
* Stakeholder Engagement & Governance:
o Act as Company Secretary following appointment by the BOD, ensuring compliance with corporate governance requirements.
o Maintain relationships with external auditors, banks, grant providers, and regulatory bodies.
o Advise the GM and BOD on legal, tax, and financial governance matters, ensuring SO remains compliant with all legal and regulatory obligations.
o Provide financial feasibility studies and reports for property development projects and any capital investments over $25,000.
o Support cross-departmental collaboration by providing financial insights to Store Managers and Department Heads, for effective budget management, enhanced profitability and efficiency, as well as ensuring financial literacy across the organisation.
o Ensure timely board reporting, with accurate financial documents provided at least five working days before meetings.
* People & Team Management:
o Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, ensuring continuous professional growth and succession planning.
o Foster a high-performance culture within the finance department that prioritizes accuracy, accountability, and collaboration.
* Impact & Sustainability Reporting:
o Oversee financial tracking and reporting of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, ensuring alignment with SO's mission.
o Support the GM in making sustainability-driven financial decisions, including ethical sourcing and carbon footprint reduction strategies.
o Ensure that financial reporting includes insights into SO's community contributions, sustainability efforts, and social impact.
Qualifications:
* CA/CPA qualifications preferred.
* Significant experience in a similar role (5+ years).
* Retail/Grocery experience is preferred.
* Have experience using Microsoft 365 Dynamics, Xero Accounting, Inventory Management Systems and POS Systems.
* Have FC experience within a Not for Profit environment and managed ASIC/ACNC compliance.
* Have advanced Excel skills.
DESCRIPTIONS:
Santos Organics believes in transparency, collaboration, and accountability. We require a Financial Controller who can effectively communicate financial insights and empower our team to make informed decisions. The successful candidate will lead financial strategy, manage budgets and forecasting, and oversee the finance department. With a focus on sustainability and community impact, this role is ideal for those who value innovation, integrity, and purpose-driven work.
If you are an experienced finance professional looking for a challenging and rewarding role, please consider joining our team. We offer a dynamic work environment, opportunities for growth and development, and the chance to contribute to a socially responsible organisation.