At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis to support strategic decisions in a dynamic business environment.
- Company: Join an award-winning Norfolk-based importer and distributor of branded consumer goods.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a fast-paced, collaborative finance team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by translating complex data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with proven FP&A experience.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Head Hunted Recruitment are proud to be working exclusively with an award winning business who are one of the largest in their sector and boasting a strong market presence.
The business is a Norfolk based importer, manufacturer and distributor of branded consumer goods supplying professional trade merchants, and retail partners across the UK
This position requires an individual with a proven track record in a similar role.
The Financial Planning & Analysis Manager will be a qualified accountant responsible for providing rigorous commercial and financial analysis to the CEO/CFO and the wider Senior Leadership Team.
The role translates the operational realities of importing, manufacturing and distributing branded product — landed cost, FX exposure, duty and freight, inventory holding, and channel/customer profitability — into clear, decision-useful analysis that supports pricing, purchasing, and investment decisions.
This is a hands-on role suited to a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) who is comfortable operating both strategically and at the transactional/data level in a business of this scale
Key Responsibilities
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Partnering
- Lead the annual sales and gross margin budget process and rolling forecasts (monthly/quarterly re-forecasts), coordinating input from Sales, Purchasing, Operations and Finance.
- Business partner with Sales and Commercial teams to model customer and product-line profitability, pricing decisions, rebate/discount structures, and promotional investment.
- Business partner with Purchasing/Supply Chain on landed cost modelling, covering FX rates, freight, duty, and supplier terms, and their impact on gross margin.
- Support the FC/CFO with board packs, investor/lender reporting, and ad hoc scenario modelling (e. g. new product launches, new supplier relationships, capex, warehouse investment).
- Take ownership of the accuracy of the master data across products, customers and suppliers, ensuring effective use of all relevant sources of data available to the business (eg EPOS data).
- Management Information & Reporting
- Own the monthly management accounts commentary and variance analysis to gross profit level (budget/forecast vs. actual), with clear narrative on margin, volume, mix, and FX/duty movements.
- Develop and maintain KPI dashboards covering gross margin by product/brand/customer, stock turn, SKU profitability, and channel performance (trade, retail, export).
- Improve the quality, automation, and timeliness of MI, reducing reliance on manual spreadsheets where practicable (e. g. via AI tools, BI tools, ERP reporting, Power Query).
- Margin, Working Capital & Risk
- Monitor and report on FX exposure arising from overseas purchasing, working with the FC on hedging strategy and rate risk where applicable.
- Analyse and optimise inventory levels, stock cover, and obsolescence risk across the product range, supporting working capital management.
- Track import duty, freight, and landed cost trends, flagging margin erosion risks early.
- Support pricing reviews to protect gross margin against cost inflation, FX movements, and competitor activity.
- Systems, Controls & Process
- Maintain and improve budgeting/forecasting models and reporting templates to GP level, ensuring a robust, auditable, single source of truth.
- Provide support to the Financial Controller/transactional finance team to ensure trial balance data supports accurate and timely FP&A reporting.
- Support system improvements/ERP or BI implementations relevant to reporting and planning.
- Ensure appropriate financial controls are in place around forecasting assumptions and reporting outputs.
- Leadership
- Line manage and develop junior finance/analyst resource as the team grows.
- Act as a key finance contact for non-finance stakeholders, translating financial analysis into commercially actionable insight.
- Key Deliverables
- Accurate, timely monthly management information and variance commentary delivered to agreed deadlines.
- Robust annual budget and rolling forecast, with clear assumptions and sign-off from the FC/CFO.
- Demonstrable improvement in margin visibility by product, brand, and customer.
- Reliable FX/landed cost tracking that informs pricing and purchasing decisions.
- A reporting suite that is progressively automated and less reliant on manual data manipulation.
Qualifications
- Qualified accountant — ACA, ACCA, or CIMA (essential).
Experience
- Proven FP&A, commercial finance, or management accounting experience, ideally gained in a product-based business (import/distribution, wholesale, or FMCG background highly relevant).
- Experience of businesses with international/multi-currency purchasing and an understanding of landed cost, duty, and freight dynamics.
- Track record of owning budgeting and forecasting cycles and presenting analysis to senior stakeholders/boards.
- Experience working in a business of comparable scale (£10m–£50m turnover) is preferred, where the role requires both strategic input and hands-on delivery.
B2B experience, working closely with a product based business, manufacturer or consumer goods.
- Experience with ERP systems (e. g.
Sage, Net Suite, SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics) and advanced Excel; experience with BI/reporting tools (Power BI, Power Query) is advantageous.
Skills & Attributes
Strong analytical and financial modelling skills, with the ability to translate data into clear commercial narrative.
Confident communicator, able to business partner effectively with Sales, Purchasing, and Operations as well as senior Finance stakeholders.
Commercially curious, with genuine interest in understanding product, pricing and supply chain economics rather than pure reporting
Highly organised, deadline-driven, and comfortable operating in a smaller finance team where hands-on delivery is required alongside strategic input
Sound judgement and integrity, with a controls-conscious mindset.
This is an office based role although occasional travel to our other local site will be required, it is essential that you have a full driving license
Financial Planning & Analysis Manager in Thetford employer: HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment Careers
Join an award-winning Norfolk-based company that stands out as a leader in the consumer goods sector, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly impact business success. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to growth opportunities and a collaborative culture that values innovation and teamwork. Enjoy competitive benefits and the chance to work closely with senior leadership, making this role not just a job, but a meaningful career path.
Contact Details:
HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Planning & Analysis Manager in Thetford
✨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!
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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 HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment Careers. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
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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 HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment Careers.
✨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 HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment Careers. 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 Financial Planning & Analysis Manager in Thetford
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 HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment Careers 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 HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment Careers how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment Careers
✨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 HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment Careers.
✨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 HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment Careers'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!
