City, Edinburgh
Eden Search and Select

The merger of Drysdales and East of Scotland Growers (ESG), two of the UK’s leading vertically integrated growers and suppliers of vegetables, is an exciting step change opportunity that brings together outstanding growers with a well invested packhouse to increase the product portfolio to provide all year-round availability to retail customers.

The merger of Drysdales and East of Scotland Growers (ESG), two of the UK’s leading vertically integrated growers and suppliers of vegetables, is an exciting step change opportunity that brings together outstanding growers with a well invested packhouse to increase the product portfolio to provide all year-round availability to retail customers. This is just the start as the business has ambitious plans to develop its product range, customer mix and operational capabilities to become one of the leading fresh produce businesses in the UK. Intrinsic to this strategy is the need to recruit an experienced and driven Group Finance Director to lead both businesses through this exciting phase of growth.

As part of the Board of Directors, the newly created role of Group Finance Director will contribute fully to the development of the combined strategy across all areas of the businesses from field to shelf, challenging assumptions and decision-making and providing financial analysis and commercial support on all activities, plans and targets. The role will lead the integration of systems and processes (financial and non-financial) to ensure the businesses create a new operational platform with the capability to deliver now and grow in line with their ambitious strategy. The role will also support the wider areas of ESG’s operation outside of the merged company’s remit as it develops its other diversified interests.

To be suitable for this position, candidates will be an energetic, intelligent and humble leader with significant gravitas and financial experience working with high growth businesses in the agricultural, fresh produce or food industry in the UK or internationally with an ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent qualification. Candidates will be naturally inquisitive across the company supply chain from on-farm growing techniques to highly automated packing and enjoy getting hands-on, putting in place the right, practical solutions for this fast-paced business. Previous experience of mergers, integration projects and change management is preferred but not essential.

For more information on this unique and exciting opportunity, please contact Anette Fink on or . All applications and enquiries will be forwarded to Eden Search & Select who are exclusively retained by Drysdales & ESG on this project.

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