Site FP&A and Business Partnering Leader in Cheltenham

The role is a critical part of the business commercial finance function reporting into the site Finance Director. The role is to design, implement & run all core FP&A processes including covering short, medium & long‑range forecasting & reporting processes. It is expected that part of this responsibility will be to improve the planning process itself, using FLIGHT DECK tools where appropriate, including exploring opportunities to automate, digitise and eliminate waste. You will be responsible for all areas of FP&A (including income and cash) and will have management responsibility of the team to achieve it. In tandem, you will partner with the Product Leadership teams at site to drive results and manage the risks and opportunities as they arise. You should engage with customers as a trusted business partner by enabling profitable growth & proactively managing risk. The role requires close relationships and leveraging relationships both within and outside Finance.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for the design, implementation and execution of all core FP&A processes and their continual improvement.
• Day‑to‑day management of the FP&A team including setting priorities, dividing responsibilities and driving process improvements.
• Monthly & quarterly reporting of actuals, design of insightful forward‑looking analytics and management of key risks and opportunities for the Finance Director and site leadership team.
• Engage with a broad range of colleagues, including other Finance teams, business partners and operational teams to ensure a timely and accurate monthly and quarterly close.
• Focus on FLIGHT DECK, identifying opportunities to eliminate waste and improve productivity.
• Write & present financial performance packs where required.
• Develop reporting framework, identifying key metrics and KPIs that drive performance of the business.
• Provide key cover for the Finance Director where required, including cover for the commercial finance process.
• Perform ad‑hoc reporting and analysis as directed.

Essential Requirements

• Fully qualified professional accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA/QBE) with post‑qualification experience in a large company.
• Strong understanding of P&L, balance sheets and cash flow statements.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Understanding of key accounting standards (IFRS and USGAAP where applicable) or demonstrable ability to learn new ones.
• Demonstrable ability to develop strong cross‑functional relationships & networks to complete work.
• Experience working collaboratively in teams and using influence to drive outcomes.
• Experience working in manufacturing, costing or with products in a financial role.
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Self‑starter who can work on their own initiative.
• Strong analytical mind and ability to describe not just what happened, but why.
• Fluent in speaking and writing English.

Preferential experience:

• User of Oracle with experience in system implementation and upgrade projects.
• FP&A experience including setting budgets and variance analysis.
• Strong influencing skills and ability to partner with the business.
• Organised and able to plan, communicate and execute according to defined timescales.
• Good communicator – both within and outside the Finance function.

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance required and must be maintained for this role; failure to obtain BPSS may result in ineligibility.