Vacancy at Artisanal Spirits Company
ASC’s purpose is to captivate a global community of whisky adventurers, creating and selling outstanding, limited-edition whiskies and experiences around the world with an ambition to create a high quality, highly profitable and cash generative, premium global business.
Based in Edinburgh, ASC owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), Single Cask Nation (SCN) and J.G. Thomson (JGT). Owning over 18,000 casks primarily comprising Single Malt Scotch Whisky, ASC’s stock includes outstanding whisky (and other spirits) from 150 different distilleries across 20 countries which is sold to members both as individual bottles and whole casks.
With an established global presence in some 30 countries, SMWS operates a direct-to-consumer model (90% of revenue) primarily through e-commerce, in addition to four member rooms in the UK. SMWS provides members with inspiring experiences, content and exclusive access to a vast and unique range of outstanding, expertly curated Scotch malt and other whiskies.
In January 2024, ASC acquired SCN which sources, curates and bottles single-cask whiskies and other spirits selling both online and via traditional retail channels to its following of over 10,000 whisky enthusiasts in the USA. SCN also retails to key international whisky markets around the world.
Launched in the UK in late 2021, JGT has a focus on outstanding small batch blended malt whiskies and other spirits, available both through direct-to-consumer online sales and through traditional retail channels. The award-winning brand has subsequently expanded into international markets.
With proven e-commerce reach and a growing family of brands, ASC is building a portfolio of limited-edition and small-batch whisky and other spirits brands for a global movement of discerning consumers - delivering revenue of £23.6 million in FY24, predominantly from outside the UK, with an expanding presence in the other key global whisky markets including USA, China, Europe, Japan, Australia and Taiwan.
ASC has a substantial asset backing and is delivering profitable growth and cash generation.
The Group’s operations are divided across four geographical regions; Europe, Asia, Americas and Rest of World. The Regional Finance Manager is a key role within the Head Office finance team, responsible for the end-to-end financial processes for their respective region(s). They will ensure accuracy, control and timely reporting of financial results to both the Group’s Management and actionable insight on performance to Regional Management. In doing so, they will ensure ongoing compliance with relevant laws and regulations including preparation of VAT filings, Duty returns and National Statistics surveys.
On a day-to-day basis the Regional Finance Manager will have oversight of transactional accounting for the UK and US entities that fall within their remit, including reviewing accounts payable, invoicing and intercompany sales. They will do so with the support of a team of 3 accounts assistants.
The Head Office finance team partners with key individuals in other central teams to provide ongoing financial visibility - reviewing cost projections and providing variance analysis to ensure all functions are aware of their position compared with Forecast and have useful insights on which they can act. The UK & Americas Finance Manager will work closely with the management of our four Member Rooms as well as the Managing Director of Europe and Managing Director of Americas, ensuring the accurate flow of management information and actionable insight to and from management.
Monthly reporting for the regions will incorporate an end-to-end month end process culminating in preparation of management accounts with commentary on variances to Budget/Plan, and ensuring accuracy and integrity of the Balance Sheet.
As a listed business, the Group has ongoing audit and external reporting requirements. The individual will support the Group’s Annual Report and Interim Reporting, preparing Notes to the Accounts and liaising with auditors and tax advisors to ensure a smooth process.
The role is expected to be a cornerstone of the finance team for the future and the individual plays a key role in delivering scalable processes which are fit for the years to come – collaborating cross-divisionally to deliver process improvements focussing on efficiency and accuracy. The Group has invested in building an in-house Technology and Data function and the Regional Finance Manager will be empowered to drive and benefit from the possibilities created through analytics and automation. The UK business incorporates high-volume membership, e-commerce and hospitality revenue streams therefore the Regional Finance Manager requires to be comfortable with high transactional volume and willing to get stuck into large data sets – with a keen eye for process improvements to streamline these.
The Detail
Key Responsibilities
Financial Reporting
- Staff SMWS membership
- Up to £350 bottle allocation
- Private medical care
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric car scheme
- 34 days holidays
- Birthday vouchers
- Long service award
- Workplace nursery benefit
- Company pension scheme
- Company sick pay
- Critical illness income protection
- Death in service insurance
Details:
- Staff bottle allocation
At the start of each tax year (April) you will receive up to £500 retail value in vouchers to spend on bottles at our venues for you to explore and enjoy our marvellous liquid.
- SMWS Staff Membership
All of our employees automatically become members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the worldwide whisky club with over 40,000 members who treasure flavour and the joy of shared experiences with whisky in its purest form.
- Private Medical Care with Aviva
All employees at ASC have the option to opt in to this benefit from day 1 of employment. We pay the premium, and the you must pay the ‘benefit in kind’. Cover for family is not paid by ASC, however you can add them onto your policy at your own cost, paid through monthly salary payment.
- Group Life Insurance (Death in service)
Upon completion of 12-month service with the company this benefit provides insurance to cover a lump sum benefit to the employees named recipient in the event of their death.
- 34 days holidays inclusive of statutory days
Unless your contract of employment states otherwise, full time staff are entitled to 34 days holidays per year at ASC. If you are part time, your annual holiday allowance will be pro-rated.
- 30% off bottles and drinks at SMWS
Whether visiting venues for food and drinks or to purchase bottles, all employees at ASC will receive 30% off their bill.
- Income protection and critical illness cover
After 12 months service, employees with eligible conditions who are off work for 6 months and longer receive 66.7% of their base salary until they are fit to come back to work or reach the retirement age.
- Bike to work scheme
This benefit scheme offers our employees the opportunity to save up to 43.25% on the cost of bicycles and/or safety equipment.
- Electric car scheme
- Workplace Nursery scheme
Our workplace nursery scheme is run by Enjoy Benefits and allows you to pay for your nursery fees before tax and NI deductions on your monthly salary (salary exchange), meaning you can save on the total cost of your monthly childcare.
- Employee Assistance Programme with Health Assured
An EAP is a confidential employee benefit designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting your home life or work life, health, and general wellbeing.
Our EAP service provides a support network that offers expert advice and guidance 24/7, covering a wide range of issues.
- Auto-enrolment pension scheme
The Company offers an auto-enrolment pension scheme with Peoples Pension and follows the Government Legislative requirements at all times.
- Salary exchange pension scheme
Salary exchange pension schemes are a tax efficient way for employees to pay into their workplace pension. They can help you increase your take home pay by lowering your tax and National Insurance contributions. Our scheme is run through Husky, as with the Auto-enrolment scheme, our workplace pensions are with The People's Pension.
- Charitable Giving and Volunteering
We know that many of you have a causes that you are very passionate about, as a result we will match any fund raising you carry out up to £200 per year per staff member. We give every employee an additional day volunteering leave each year, for you to be able to physically support a charity or volunteering activity of your choice.
- Birthday voucher
As a small token from us, each employee receives a £25 Highstreet Voucher on their birthday each year.
- Annual Staff Party
- Long service award gift and celebration
In recognition of employees length of service ASC offer milestone rewards such as vouchers and extra annual leave, from 5 years, right up to 20 years service.