At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial finance, partner with teams, and drive impactful financial decisions.
- Company: Established retail business with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 20% bonus, private healthcare, and flexible working.
- Other info: Opportunity for career advancement and influence at senior leadership level.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance in retail and build your own team.
- Qualifications: ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with 5+ years of experience.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Head of Commercial Finance | East Midlands | Circa £100,000 plus 20% bonus
A newly created senior role in an established retail business, with the chance to build a team around you.
Circa £100,000 base, with some flexibility on salary for an exceptional individual.
The opportunity
The business is focused on improving margin and getting more out of its stock. That depends on commercial finance, and this role gives the business the numbers to make those calls.
There's no team on day one. That's deliberate, so you can get settled, get hands on and make an impact. The plan is to grow a team underneath you over time.
What makes it interesting
You'd be working closely with senior leadership on decisions that move the numbers.
They don't want someone who sits back and produces the reporting pack. They want someone hands on, who enjoys getting close to the business and challenging it constructively.
Retail experience is preferred, but they're open to exceptional candidates from outside the sector.
- What you'd be doing
- Partnering the commercial and retail teams with financial insight and constructive challenge
- Owning gross margin and contribution reporting, including margin bridges and price, volume and mix analysis
- Building post promotion analysis and ROI frameworks to improve future promotional decisions
- Tracking stock levels, ageing, sell through and stock cover, and finding ways to free up cash
- Leading commercial forecasting for sales, margin and stock, and supporting the budget and long range planning
- Building business cases and presenting to the exec team and the Board
- Improving reporting and automation through Power BI
- What they're looking for
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with at least 5 years post qualified experience
- A commercial finance, FP&A or business partnering background
- Hands on experience of pricing, margin analysis and inventory
- Experience partnering commercial or retail teams
- Confident influencing and challenging senior stakeholders
Package
- Circa £100,000 base, with some flexibility on salary for an exceptional individual
- 20% bonus, on the same scheme as the exec team
- Up to 10% matched pension
- Private healthcare, income protection and life cover
- Flexitime, with 4 days on site and 1 from home
- Travel to London a couple of times a month
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Commercial Finance employer: Distinct | B Corp
Distinct, a certified B Corp in Nottingham, offers an exceptional work environment for the Finance Manager role, fostering a culture of collaboration and growth. With a clear succession plan leading to the Finance Director position, employees benefit from hands-on experience in finance and commercial partnering, alongside competitive compensation and a generous pension scheme. The company's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility makes it a meaningful place to advance your career while making a positive impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Finance
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Distinct | B Corp. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Distinct | B Corp.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Distinct | B Corp. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Distinct | B Corp and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Distinct | B Corp how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Distinct | B Corp
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Distinct | B Corp.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Distinct | B Corp's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
