At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide financial insights and strategic support to drive performance and decision-making.
- Company: Join ESG Drysdale, the UK's only brassica-focused producer organisation.
- Benefits: Attractive salary package and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting new role in a fast-paced environment with excellent career prospects.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance with strong Excel skills; ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Hutcheon Mearns is delighted to be retained by ESG Drysdale for the appointment of a new Financial Analyst & Business Partner, based at their Cockburnspath site, easily commutable from East Lothian, the Scottish Borders & Berwick. ESG Drysdale is the United Kingdom’s only brassica-focused producer organisation and one of just three vegetable producer organisations nationwide. In 2023, R & K Drysdale merged with East of Scotland Growers, resulting in a combined commercial success that has seen the group reach circa £55m turnover. With 18 dedicated farmers based in their region that spans 200 miles of rich coastline, ESG Drysdale are proud of their integrated grower network that ensures a resilient and regionally diverse supply chain. Their customers include supermarkets, B2B and foodservice markets nationwide, working with some huge national brands.
As Financial Analyst & Business Partner, you will play a key strategic and commercial role within ESG Drysdale. You will work closely with operational, commercial, and supply chain teams to drive performance, improve decision-making, and enhance financial understanding across the business. Your insights will support profitable growth, cost control, and investment decisions in a fast-moving environment with tight margins and perishable products. This is a newly created position for what is an exciting time to be joining the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a trusted business partner to commercial, operational, and supply chain leaders, providing financial insights and strategic support
- Analyse weekly and monthly performance (volume, margin, yield, waste) and provide detailed & actionable standard costing analysis, commentary and recommendations
- Lead the budgeting and forecasting process for your business units, including scenario planning and sensitivity analysis
- Raising and reconciling self-bill invoices within the group
- Partner with commercial teams on B2B profitability analysis, pricing models, and contract negotiations
- Support supply chain efficiency projects and capital investment appraisals
- Monitor KPIs including stock losses, waste levels, cost-to-serve, and logistics performance
- Translate complex financial data into understandable reports and presentations for non-financial stakeholders
- Collaborate with the central finance team on month-end reporting, accruals, and variance analysis
- Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, systems, and reporting tools
- Ensure compliance with relevant financial controls, audit requirements, and company policies
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Experience in group or intercompany accounting
- Strong understanding of budgeting processes and financial control
- High level of competence in Excel and experience with financial reporting tools
- Qualifications: ACCA, CIMA, CA or equivalent level/experience
- Previous experience as a finance business partner, ideally in FMCG, food manufacturing, agriculture, or fresh produce
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of margin management and cost drivers in a low-margin, high-volume environment
- Power query experience/Power BI experience
An attractive & competitive financial package is on offer for this fantastic opportunity.
Finance Analyst & Business Partner employer: Esgdrysdale
Contact Detail:
Esgdrysdale Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Analyst & Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the finance and agriculture sectors, especially those connected to ESG Drysdale. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your financial analysis skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive performance in previous roles. We want to see your analytical prowess shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your understanding of the industry. Research ESG Drysdale and their market position. Being able to discuss their operations and challenges will demonstrate your genuine interest and make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Analyst & Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Analyst & Business Partner role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in budgeting and financial analysis, and don’t forget to showcase your Excel skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for ESG Drysdale. Mention your understanding of the fresh produce industry and how you can contribute to their success.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, emphasise your analytical skills and experience with financial reporting tools. Give examples of how you've used data to drive decision-making and improve performance in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Esgdrysdale
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Analyst & Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics like margin, yield, and waste analysis. Be ready to discuss how you've used these insights in previous roles to drive performance and support decision-making.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with ESG Drysdale's operations and their unique position in the market. Knowing about their supply chain, customer base, and the challenges they face will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle budgeting and forecasting. Prepare examples of how you've approached scenario planning and sensitivity analysis in the past. This will showcase your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for this role.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll need to translate complex financial data into understandable reports for non-financial stakeholders. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms. This will not only help you in the interview but also in your future role at ESG Drysdale.