About the business

Santos Organics was created back in 1978 from the original vision of ‘the good life’... good vibes and good food. Our culture is unique and grounded in our values. We are a pioneering environmental not-for-profit social enterprise using organic food and natural, ethical products to fund social and environmental projects. Santos Organics is the original good food shop supporting our community with organic wholefoods and conscious shopping options, creating a positive impact on the health of our community and the environment.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we welcome and encourage people from all cultural, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and ability backgrounds to apply for positions with our team.

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.

Why work for Santos Organics?

When you work for Santos Organics you will be joining a team who are pioneering the way that consumer spending can re-shape the food system, environment and our communities.

We run on 100% renewable energy and are an environmental not-for-profit social enterprise. We also offer some pretty awesome team benefits including a generous in-store discount and work from home flexibility.

Role Summary

The Financial Controller is a key strategic leader at Santos Organics, driving financial excellence, sustainability, and ethical business practices. Reporting to the General Manager (GM) and Board of Directors (BOD), this role ensures the financial health, compliance, and long-term resilience of the organisation.

More than just overseeing numbers, the Financial Controller is responsible for treasury management, investment strategies, and financial planning that align with SO’s mission-driven, not-for-profit ethos. This includes ensuring full compliance with statutory obligations—including GST, FBT, PBI status, and payroll tax—while optimising financial performance.

Beyond financial operations, this role fosters a collaborative and transparent finance function that empowers the entire team. By maintaining open communication and financial clarity, the Financial Controller ensures that all stakeholders—including customers, suppliers, and employees—experience the warmth, sincerity, and integrity that define Santos Organics.

As a guardian of ethical business practices, the Financial Controller is expected to uphold Santos Organics’ values, sustainability commitments, and community-first approach, both internally and externally.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

This role demands diligence, integrity, and a commitment to continuous improvement. You will be expected to maintain a solutions-focused mindset, adapt to evolving challenges, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical leadership.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Financial Strategy & Leadership

Lead financial strategy, ensuring alignment with SO’s long-term sustainability and growth objectives

Develop and implement financial policies, internal controls, and best practices to enhance efficiency and transparency

Conduct financial risk assessments and proactively mitigate risks associated with market changes, regulatory updates, and investment decisions

Provide financial insights and recommendations to support strategic initiatives, capital investments, and expansion plans

Provide necessary financial data & reports to Finance team on a timely basis to ensure their priorities and tasks are focused appropriately

Financial Management & Compliance

Oversee the finance department, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of all financial transactions

Prepare and present monthly departmental and consolidated Profit & Loss, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow statements with variance analysis to the GM and BOD

Manage the budgeting and forecasting process in collaboration with department heads.

Ensure compliance with all statutory financial reporting, including ASIC, ACNC, BAS, FBT, PAYG, Superannuation Guarantee, and tax obligations

Work with external auditors to ensure timely production of statutory financial reports.

Develop funding proposals to support SO’s NFP status and identify new funding opportunities

Oversee inventory management, stock takes, and internal audits to maintain financial accuracy

Monitor supplier payment terms, negotiate payment plans, and provide detailed cash flow forecasts

Implement and monitor internal audit programs and oversee governance, risk, and compliance frameworks

Technology, Systems & Process Improvement

Ensure optimal integration and performance of financial systems, including Point of Sale (POS), Inventory Management System (IMS/DEAR), and Xero

Develop, refine, and implement systems to ensure best and accurate margins, streamlined reporting, and operational efficiencies

Work with the People & Culture Manager to ensure payroll is processed efficiently, compliant with taxation and award conditions as well as ensuring data accuracy

Evaluate current IT systems and recommend improvements to enhance financial and operational performance

Lead automation and process optimization efforts to improve financial workflows and reduce manual workload

Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

Act as Company Secretary following appointment by the BOD, ensuring compliance with corporate governance requirements

Maintain relationships with external auditors, banks, grant providers, and regulatory bodies

Advise the GM and BOD on legal, tax, and financial governance matters, ensuring SO remains compliant with all legal and regulatory obligations

Provide financial feasibility studies and reports for property development projects and any capital investments over $25,000

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

Ensure timely board reporting, with accurate financial documents provided at least five working days before meetings

People & Team Management

Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, ensuring continuous professional growth and succession planning

Foster a high-performance culture within the finance department that prioritizes accuracy, accountability, and collaboration

Impact & Sustainability Reporting

Oversee financial tracking and reporting of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, ensuring alignment with SO’s mission

Support the GM in making sustainability-driven financial decisions, including ethical sourcing and carbon footprint reduction strategies

Ensure that financial reporting includes insights into SO’s community contributions, sustainability efforts, and social impact

To be successful in this role, you will have the following skills and experience:

CA/CPA qualifications preferred

Significant experience in a similar role (5+ years)

Retail/Grocery experience is preferred

Have experience using Xero Accounting, Inventory Management Systems and POS Systems. Microsoft 365 Dynamics.

Have FC experience within Not For Profit environment and managed ASIC/ ACNC compliance is helpful

Have advanced excel skills

Have excellent written and verbal communication skills

Have demonstrated experience leading a small team successfully

Experience in a membership association is advantageous

To be successful in this role you will have the following attributes:

A passion for our mission and a desire to help grow our business

Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team

Work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment

Show initiative and be willing to think outside of the box and proactively provide solutions

Able to communicate financial terminology to the broader team

What happens next?

Shortlisted candidates. If we think you could be a good fit we will contact you to arrange an interview.