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- Tasks: Join our team as a Senior Finance Analyst, focusing on forecasting, budgeting, and data analysis.
- Company: We're a leading packaging company committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with your analytical skills while working in a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Qualifications: Degree in Finance or related field; strong analytical skills and Excel expertise required.
- Other info: This is a 6-month fixed-term contract with potential for extension.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Senior Finance Analyst – Commercial Finance
6 MONTHS FIXED TERM CONTRACT
BASED IN LONDON, PADDINGTON – HYBRID (2 days working from home)
About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a results-driven and analytical Senior Finance Analyst to join our Packaging Division Commercial Finance team on a 6 months Fixed Term Contract basis, with potential to be extended. This role is focused on the fundamentals and includes: forecasting accuracy analysis, participation in the budget cycle and building compliance frameworks for global reporting tools. You will play a vital part in consolidating data from various finance systems to support the broader team with analysis and insight generation.
Your profound capabilities in data analytics and the quick understanding of the broader business picture will add valuable insights into the decision-making process at the central sales level and will give you the the opportunity to contribute in a significant way.
Key Responsibilities:
Forecast Accuracy and Performance Tracking:
- Analyse forecast variances and work closely with business teams to improve forecasting methods and accuracy.
- Provide actionable insights that enhance decision-making and planning processes.
- Continuously improve forecast models and performance tracking tools.
Budget Planning and Management:
- Support the annual budgeting process.
- Coordinate data collection and validation across business units.
- Conduct variance analysis and help drive alignment across regions.
Global Reporting Platforms Reconciliation & Governance:
- Maintain the integrity of financial data across sales tools and platforms.
- Implementation of governance processes to ensure data consistency and reliability.
- Partner with commercial and operational stakeholders to optimise data flows and system use.
Data Consolidation for Analysis:
- Pull together and validate data from multiple finance systems (e.g., ERP, CRM, BI platforms).
- Ensure completeness and accuracy of data used in financial models and strategic analysis.
- Support the wider finance team with high-quality, ready-to-use data for deeper analysis and scenario planning.
About You
- Graduate calibre – Finance at degree level or above, qualified accountant.
- Strong, demonstrable analytical skills, able to interpret large amounts of financial data into meaningful business insights (experience in the FMCG industry preferred).
- Advanced skills in Excel are a must; skills in Power BI would be an advantage.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively manage upwards communication.
- Commercial acumen, with the ability to be agile, pro-active and independent, delivering to sometimes tight deadlines.
- A Continuous improvement mindset and the drive to improve our processes.
- Cognos Analytics & Hyperion experience beneficial.
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.
#LI-TG
- We prioritise your well-being with a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support you both personally and professionally.
- We prioritise your well-being with a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support you both personally and professionally.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Finance Analyst - Commercial Finance employer: DS Smith
Contact Detail:
DS Smith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Analyst - Commercial Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in commercial finance, especially within the FMCG sector. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of StudySmarter or similar companies. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide you with valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Senior Finance Analyst role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your Excel skills, particularly advanced functions and data analysis techniques. Being able to showcase your proficiency in Excel during discussions can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare specific examples of how you've improved forecasting methods or contributed to budget planning in previous roles. Having these anecdotes ready will help you articulate your value and experience effectively during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Analyst - Commercial Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Senior Finance Analyst role. Focus on your analytical skills, experience in budget planning, and any familiarity with financial data systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention specific experiences where you've improved forecasting methods or managed budgets, and express your enthusiasm for contributing to their team.
Highlight Technical Skills: Emphasise your advanced Excel skills and any experience with Power BI, Cognos Analytics, or Hyperion. Provide examples of how you've used these tools to analyse data and generate insights in previous roles.
Showcase Communication Abilities: Demonstrate your excellent communication skills by providing examples of how you've effectively managed upwards communication or collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve financial goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Senior Finance Analyst, your ability to interpret large amounts of financial data is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully analysed data and provided actionable insights that influenced decision-making.
✨Demonstrate Your Excel Proficiency
Advanced Excel skills are a must for this role. Be ready to discuss specific functions or tools you've used in Excel, such as pivot tables or complex formulas, and how they helped you in your previous roles.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the FMCG industry and the specific challenges it faces. This will help you articulate how your skills can contribute to the company's goals and improve forecasting methods.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of scenarios where you had to manage tight deadlines or improve processes, and be prepared to explain your thought process and outcomes.
