At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform finance and HR systems for a thriving logistics company.
- Company: Culina Group, a top UK food and drinks logistics provider with a winning culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, private medical cover, and wellness support.
- Other info: Join a high-performing team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of core business applications and drive innovation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in enterprise applications, especially SAP S/4HANA and SuccessFactors.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
Culina Group is a leading UK 3rd party food & drinks logistics provider offering dedicated and shared user warehousing and distribution solutions.
At Culina we have a winning culture, we believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive...
A place where you're valued, challenged, and inspired!
We're seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Core Business Applications to lead the performance, transformation, and future direction of our enterprise application landscape across Finance, HR, and key business platforms.
This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for ensuring our core systems - including SAP S/4HANA, SAP Success Factors, Zellis Payroll, and UKG Time & Attendance - are secure, scalable, and aligned to the evolving needs of the business.
You'll sit at the heart of business and technology, driving operational excellence while shaping how critical systems enable growth, efficiency, and innovation across the Culina Group.
- Leadership & Capability
- Build and lead a high‑performing, specialist team with deep technical and functional expertise
- Act as the escalation point for complex application and service challenges
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation
- Manage strategic relationships with key vendors and managed service partners
- Drive supplier performance through robust SLAs, KPIs, and governance
- Oversee contracts, renewals, and commercial negotiations
- Transformation & Improvement
- Lead system upgrades, process re‑engineering, and transformation initiatives
- Drive automation, self‑service capabilities, and data quality improvements
- Ensure systems evolve in line with business growth and operational demands
- Manage budgets, forecasting, and cost control across applications and resources
- Ensure strong financial governance and alignment with business priorities
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with senior business and technology leaders across Finance, HR, and operations
- Communicate complex technical concepts in a clear, business‑focused way
- Build trusted relationships across a diverse stakeholder landscape
Qualifications
- Proven leadership experience in enterprise applications within a complex organisation
- Deep expertise in SAP S/4HANA (Finance) and SAP Success Factors
- Strong track record managing large‑scale application environments and vendor ecosystems
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing, and communication skills
- Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, contracts, and suppliers
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery
Benefits
- Annual Leave – Competitive holiday entitlement of 25 Days plus 8 Bank Holidays
- Company Bonus – We do our best work to succeed together. When we achieve our goals you'll be rewarded through our bonus scheme
- Private Medical Cover – This gives you peace of mind, you have choice, flexibility and speed of access to the most clinically appropriate care via Bupa
- Pension scheme – we want colleagues to enjoy a comfortable retirement so we offer a great contribution of 5% employee and 8% employer
- Life Assurance – x4 your annual salary
- Wellness – Via our Employee Assistance Programme we offer immediate access to a confidential telephone counselling and legal information service that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Eye Care Vouchers – We can provide you with substantial savings with free eye tests and discounts on prescription glasses
- Reward & Recognition – We recognise that employees have gone the extra mile via Employee of the month and year, special recognition and long service awards
- Everyday discounts – via our benefit platform you will have access to over 50 retailer discounts for everyday savings!
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Finance & HR Systems in Warrington employer: Culina
Culina Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a winning culture where employees are valued, challenged, and inspired. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we offer competitive benefits including a generous annual leave policy, private medical cover, and a robust pension scheme. Our commitment to innovation and operational excellence ensures that you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our enterprise applications while enjoying a supportive work environment in the thriving logistics sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance & HR Systems in Warrington
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Finance & HR Systems at Culina!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Culina or be willing to refer you for that Head of Finance & HR Systems position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Culina who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Finance & HR Systems star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Finance & HR Systems role at Culina!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance & HR Systems in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Culina. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Culina
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Culina. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
