Ian Dunk

Ian Dunk – Senior Financial Controller

I’ve now worked for the company for 16 years, joining straight from University where I studied Engineering.  I started as a Time-and-Motion Engineer which involved measuring and recording the use of labour then reviewing methods and processes of work to improve productivity. I was always keen on the idea of working within a manufacturing environment.  Food manufacturing in particular appealed to me as an interesting area to work within, and I recognised Geest (as Bakkavor was then known) as one of the leaders in the industry which also offered a comprehensive graduate programme.

After two years in my first role, I moved into production as a Supervisor in the ready meals plant in Spalding.  I then moved into the Planning function within the Delicatessen Factory, also on the Spalding site, later progressing to the position of Factory Planning Manager.

Having gained experience of systems implementation in my planning roles, I then decided to join a central project implementing a new ERP system across the Group.  This included six months in Belgium at Bakkavor’s ready meal business.  It was during my time on this project that I decided to embark on my financial career and studied for the CIMA qualification. Bakkavor supported me through to qualification and backed a move into a finance-based role within the ERP project team.

I left the project after four years and was appointed Business Accountant for Soups & Sauces in Spalding and Ready Meals in Sutton Bridge, later becoming Financial Controller for both of these business units.  To complete the story so far, I’m now the Senior Financial Controller for Wingland Foods in Sutton Bridge, an exciting business manufacturing bagged leaf and delicatessen products.

I am part of the business’ executive team, managing the business with other members of the team and developing tactics that ultimately improve financial performance.  It’s incredibly rewarding to see the business delivering and making more money as a direct result of decisions that we’ve made.

The Finance function in Bakkavor has a wide-ranging set of responsibilities that cover many aspects of the business.  It’s much more about being a business manager with a financial bias than being a straight accountant.  This provides a variety not found in many other disciplines, so the role is always interesting and exciting.

Having a full understanding of the customer and markets in which we operate is really important, as well as experience and knowledge of a manufacturing organisation.  The role of Finance in Bakkavor requires you to challenge other functions in an informed way to grow the business, reduce conversion costs and improve margin.  There’s a lot more to it than simply knowing the numbers.

I’ve really enjoyed my career to-date with Bakkavor, and as with many FMCG businesses things move at an incredible pace which can be very demanding, but this is what makes Bakkavor an exciting and rewarding place to work.