Background

Food waste is a $1 trillion problem – costing the world over 1% of global GDP. We’re dead set on solving the problem and looking for people to help us achieve our mission. We, at Winnow, believe that food is far too valuable to waste, and that technology can transform the way we produce food. Our team is made of people who all share a passion for food and technology.

Winnow was founded in London in 2013 to help the hospitality industry prevent food waste through internet of things tools in the kitchen. We have worked with hundreds of sites and are operating in over 25 countries around the world supported by our offices in London and Singapore. We are a rapidly growing company with a strong base of clients who are rolling out our system globally. We have blue-chip customers including Accor Hotels, IHG, Marriott, Compass Group and many others.

This is an opportunity to join one of Wired’s top 100 start-ups in Europe and help us propel our growth at what is truly the most exciting and dynamic points in time in our business.

Winnow’s clients on average reduce waste by over 50% by value and sustain savings.Winnow has now worked with hundreds of sites to reduce food waste, including hotels, universities and schools, staff restaurants, event/hospitality kitchens, buffets, pubs, and high street restaurants. Where the system is permanently adopted, pre-consumer waste value is reduced by 50% - 70% over 2 - 12 months, and maintained at these levels, with no detrimental impact to the perceived quality or value of the offer to their customers, and a net saving of staff time due to reduced food preparation and waste handling. This represents a typical improvement of food cost savings of 3% to 8%, commonly a 40%+ increase in profitability for restaurants. Watch our short videos on our YouTube channel to see the system in action.

This job offers a unique opportunity to become involved in a rapidly growing start-up focused on sustainability. We have an open culture and believe in a hierarchy of ideas and results rather than titles. We share a common desire to learn and improve and give individuals freedom to help us shape how our business will grow. You will work alongside a driven team who are motivated by building an exciting business and leaving the world a better place than we found it.

About the role

Things have been going extremely well for Winnow, which is great but means the finance team is swamped. We need help, and are looking for someone to work under the Financial Controller and take up some of the strain.

The role is focused on the accounting and management information processes that keep the show on the road and our investors happy. Monthly Excel reports and ongoing finance processes are at its core, but the successful candidate will be exposed to all aspects of the business. And at the same time, they will be helping to solve one of the world’s greatest problems.

Day-to-day accounting processes, including payment scheduling, bank reconciliations and chasing down late payments.

Month-end calculations like deferred revenue and inventory.

Maintaining our suite of KPIs, including keeping track of how much carbon dioxide we’ve prevented from being emitted.

Ad hoc research into new tools and providers (we’re developing all the time).

Random admin, from keeping the shared drive under control to popping round to an embassy to get stuff signed.

Helping out across the whole business. You will initially be providing analytical support to the operations and business development teams, but even when your role becomes more specialised and finance-focused you will be a key point of contact for anything accounts-related. You’ll be expected to take the initiative to improve our internal processes, and will from time to time be given projects that could involve pretty much anything.

Education and experience

We are looking for as wide a range of candidates as possible, and the role can develop over time to align with your particular talents and career goals. This could as easily suit an experienced bookkeeper who would like a more flexible work schedule as a recent graduate at the beginning of their finance career.

A good level of numeracy and Excel proficiency is necessary; experience working with Xero is not, but would be a bonus.

Also great would be experience with the various accounting processes you will be responsible for.

Foreign languages are an advantage – we’re going global.

Personal attributes

You are independent, happy just getting on with stuff without prompting. When problems arise, you solve them without expecting an awards ceremony afterwards. You are comfortable taking ownership of and accountability for your work.

At the same time you are persuasive and personable and enjoy building relationships. You share our belief that collaboration, both within our team and with our clients, is critical in achieving our mission.

You are keen to learn more about accounting, and to take every opportunity to increase your skill set. This is coupled with excellent attention to detail and a meticulous eye for identifying inconsistencies or inaccuracies in data. You are not above knuckling down and getting through some spreadsheets.

You enjoy suggesting creative and innovative solutions to improve the way things get done, especially those involving technology.

You are transparent, honest, and act with integrity at all times.

You are excited by the opportunities and challenges of working in the fast-paced environment of a start-up, and are driven by a desire to solve the world’s problems.

Our shared attributes

You are both passionate and measured. You carefully balance the need for quick solutions and pragmatism with the ability to step back, take in the bigger picture and build for the long term. You listen to and act on what your customers need

You are transparent in approach and enjoy healthy, respectful debate. You work hard to build open and honest collaborative relationships

You get things done at pace and seek to continually improve. Your customers see you as someone who gets things done, and they want you on their team

You are passionate about the value of food and are committed to playing an active role in fight against food waste

You are humble in approach and quick to pitch in if you see someone struggling, regardless of the task

• Competitive base salary
• Life insurance (3 times base salary)
• Employee assistance programme
• Company part-funded health insurance
• Matching pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days of paid vacation time in addition to national holidays
• You will love what you do – waking up every day solving one of the biggest social problems of our generation
• Committed team members with broad experience who share a common passion to build a world class business
• Great office space in central London with free happy hours and a great working environment