Commercial Finance Business Partner - Shared Services in Manchester
Commercial Finance Business Partner - Shared Services

Commercial Finance Business Partner - Shared Services in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Debenhams Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Partner with leaders to drive financial insights and optimise operations in a fast-paced environment.
  • Company: Join Debenhams Group, a leader in online fashion with a dynamic portfolio of brands.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a vibrant work culture.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team that embraces change and drives innovation in retail finance.
  • Qualifications: Qualified finance professional with strong analytical skills and business partnering experience.
  • Other info: Exciting chance to influence group-wide processes and enhance operational efficiency.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.

At Debenhams Group, we are a diverse portfolio of five core brands (boohoo, boohooMAN, PrettyLittleThing, Karen Millen, and Debenhams) alongside a dynamic marketplace model and a growing financial services division. We don’t stand still; we lead, evolve, and redefine online fashion. With bold ambitions and big energy, we’re on a mission to be the best, delivering the strongest propositions to our customers in the most engaging, innovative, and efficient ways possible. We thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you’re someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers, people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact. Be brave. Be creative. Be a community.

THE ROLE

We are looking for a proactive and commercially minded Finance Business Partner to work as part of our finance team who support our Shared Services and Supply Chain functions. Reporting to the Financial Controller, you will act as the key financial voice for operational leaders, ensuring they understand performance drivers, cost structures, and opportunities for efficiency and optimisation. This is a highly impactful role, offering the opportunity to influence group‑wide processes and play a key part in enhancing how Shared Services and Supply Chain deliver value across all brands.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

  • Act as the primary finance partner for Shared Services functions, providing insight, challenge and support to leaders.
  • Lead monthly performance reviews, analysing cost drivers, identifying risks/opportunities, and ensuring stakeholders understand operational and financial impacts.
  • Produce and communicate high‑quality management information, including month‑end reporting, KPI dashboards, and variance analyses that drive actionable insight.
  • Deliver annual budgets and quarterly reforecasts for all supported functions, ensuring alignment with operational plans and group priorities.
  • Model operational and strategic initiatives, including outsourcing proposals, supplier negotiations, process changes, and system investments, assessing financial and operational impact.
  • Partner with Supply Chain teams to monitor fulfilment costs, inbound/outbound logistics performance, warehouse operations, carrier performance, and efficiency metrics.
  • Support Shared Services with cost allocation methodology, process improvements, and enhanced visibility of cross‑functional spend.
  • Work closely with the Financial Controller to strengthen financial governance, improve forecasting accuracy, and evolve reporting processes across the group.
  • Collaborate with BI and analytics teams to enhance data accessibility, reporting automation, and KPI frameworks.
  • Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities to simplify processes, enhance financial insight, and support operational excellence.
  • Provide ad‑hoc analysis and reporting to support group priorities and business change.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

  • ACA/ICAS/CIMA/ACCA (or equivalent) qualified with 2+ years post‑qualified experience.
  • Experience in business partnering within Shared Services, Supply Chain, or other operational functions (retail/ecommerce experience advantageous).
  • Strong commercial awareness with the confidence to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
  • Excellent analytical and modelling skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
  • Detail‑driven, highly organised, and comfortable working independently in a fast‑moving environment.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust quickly across multiple functions.
  • Advanced Excel skills are essential; knowledge of SQL and Power BI is highly desirable.
  • A proactive mindset, with a passion for improving processes and driving better decision making.

WHY JOIN US

We’re all about making bold moves, delivering real results, and driving forward with unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, then you belong at Debenhams Group. Let’s lead the change together.

Commercial Finance Business Partner - Shared Services in Manchester employer: Debenhams Group

At Debenhams Group, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer that thrives on change and creativity. Our collaborative work culture encourages bold thinking and offers ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a significant impact in the retail sector. With a focus on continuous improvement and a commitment to employee development, we empower our team members to excel and redefine the future of online fashion.
Debenhams Group

Contact Detail:

Debenhams Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Business Partner - Shared Services in Manchester

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly fits into their vision.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills and experiences make you the perfect fit for the role. Keep it concise and impactful, focusing on what you can bring to the table, especially in a fast-paced environment like Debenhams Group.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team. So, get those applications in and let’s make some bold moves together!

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Business Partner - Shared Services in Manchester

Commercial Awareness
Business Partnering
Financial Analysis
Cost Structure Analysis
Performance Review Leadership
Management Information Production
Budgeting and Forecasting
Operational Modelling
Supply Chain Monitoring
Process Improvement
Financial Governance
Data Accessibility Enhancement
Analytical Skills
Advanced Excel Skills
SQL Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you’re excited about the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team and contribute to our mission of redefining online fashion.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your relevant experience in finance and business partnering. We love seeing how your skills align with what we’re looking for, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured information that’s easy to digest. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easier for us to see your key strengths and experiences.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Debenhams Group

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Commercial Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your strong analytical skills. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Show them you can turn complex data into actionable insights!

✨Understand the Business

Familiarise yourself with Debenhams Group's brands and their market positioning. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to innovate and redefine online fashion. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in the company's vision.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think of examples where you've identified cost-saving opportunities or improved processes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.

✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit

This role requires working closely with various teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully partnered with operational leaders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and ability to build trust quickly, as these are crucial for influencing stakeholders.

Commercial Finance Business Partner - Shared Services in Manchester
Debenhams Group
Location: Manchester

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