Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with procurement to enhance financial performance and drive value creation.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Inclusive culture, diverse workforce, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in accounting, strong analytical and communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time.
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
The Procurement Commercial Finance Partner will business partner with the Procurement function to support the commercial performance and maximise value creation. In addition, the role will support the function's financial performance through the provision of high-quality financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, and analysis.
The Procurement Finance team fulfil the following key responsibilities:
- Partnering with the category, sub-regional and wider finance business teams to optimise commercial outcomes and provide insight on potential financial risks.
- Driving greater financial rigor across all procurement commercial decision making.
- Leading the budget setting process for EMEA cost movement assumptions & the procurement financial targets.
- Delivering accurate financial reporting over procurement savings through the maintenance and administration of the savings tool 'Provalido'.
- Managing the Procurement functional cost centre and ensuring it is compliant with all accounting, tax, and control requirements.
The Procurement finance team forms part of the EMEA Procurement Function, which is accountable for:
- Shaping and aligning the Procurement strategy to support the achievement of business goals including growth, ESG (inc. Scope 3) and manufacturing excellence.
- Partnering with stakeholders to ensure the function competitively sources quality products and supplier services whilst maintaining and building strong relationships with strategic suppliers in line with group Innovation, ESG and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.
- Partnering differently across the value chain to create innovative business offerings that delight our customers and support business growth.
Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities
- Strategy and Vision: Provide strong business partnering with the procurement function and the wider business. Support all aspects of governance, savings reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. Build partnerships and maintain strong relationships - demonstrate an ability to listen, interpret, influence, negotiate and challenge.
- Value Creation & Performance Insights: Challenge Procurement stakeholders to improve financial, commercial and operational performance and respond quickly and effectively to any problems or adverse trends. Support Category teams and sub-regional Procurement teams in identification of value creation opportunities through providing commercial, operational and financial challenge and insights. Drafting monthly forecast assumptions for key procurement categories, including understanding, and communicating the impact on wider Group financials, identifying risks and opportunities. Support the budgeting, forecasting, and planning processes for Procurement. Support the preparation of monthly reports for the Procurement Leadership Team and wider stakeholder meetings.
- Working capital performance: Support the reduction of working capital across the business, ensuring the execution of plans to deliver agreed targets from a procurement perspective. Support tight financial control over the Group Procurement Financial budget and the savings reporting tool, to ensure it is compliant with all internal control requirements.
- Project Delivery, Business Partnering and Communication: Build partnerships and maintain strong relationships with the ability to listen, interpret, influence, negotiate, inspire, and challenge. Interpret and succinctly communicate insights and findings from analysis and test and learn opportunities to optimise business processes. Identify and share improved ways of working to increase output and process simplification.
About you
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams.
- Effective communication skills at all levels of an organisation.
- Sound finance background.
- Advanced Excel skills and PPT skills, able to draw conclusions and influence decisions.
- Sound analytical skills, with the ability to add actionable insight to data.
- Problem-solving focus.
- Result-oriented, having a track record of high performance and examples of delivering results.
- Graduate calibre.
- 3+ years of proven experience in accounting in a matrix multinational environment.
- Qualified or Part Qualified ACCA / ACA / CIMA.
Procurement Commercial Finance Partner in London employer: DS Smith
Contact Detail:
DS Smith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Commercial Finance Partner in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at DS Smith or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Show us how your skills align with their mission of sustainability and innovation. It’s all about making that connection!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in finance and procurement can drive value creation. We want to hear how you can challenge the status quo and bring fresh ideas to the table.
✨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 at DS Smith.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Commercial Finance Partner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Procurement Commercial Finance Partner. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of sustainable packaging!
Showcase Your Financial Skills: Since this role is all about financial planning and analysis, don’t forget to emphasise your finance background. Share specific examples of how you've driven financial performance or improved processes in previous roles.
Communicate Clearly: Effective communication is key! Use clear and concise language in your application to demonstrate your ability to convey complex information simply. We love candidates who can interpret and communicate insights effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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 keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Procurement Commercial Finance Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to procurement and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role requires strong partnerships across various teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different stakeholders, highlighting your ability to listen, influence, and negotiate effectively.
✨Understand the Business Strategy
Familiarise yourself with DS Smith's sustainability goals and how procurement fits into the bigger picture. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to these objectives and provide insights that align with the company's vision.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle financial challenges. Think of specific scenarios where you've identified risks or opportunities in procurement and how you addressed them.