At a Glance
- Tasks: Use data to drive profitability and improve operational performance in a dynamic finance role.
- Company: Join INSPIRED Pet Nutrition, an award-winning pet food manufacturer with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, annual bonuses, enhanced benefits, and discounts on pet food and lifestyle.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to workplace happiness and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising reporting and driving efficiency in a fun, pet-friendly environment.
- Qualifications: Advanced Excel skills and experience with data tools; finance qualification is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
This isn’t a traditional finance role — it’s about using data to add value and drive profitability. We’re recruiting for a newly created Performance Reporting and Optimisation Manager to join our Operational Finance team. This is a group role therefore can be based in either of our UK Locations, North Wales (Kinmel Bay), North Yorkshire (Thirsk) or Northampton (Crick).
Role Purpose
Reporting to the Head of Operational Finance, the Performance Reporting and Optimisation Manager uses operational and financial data to spot adverse performance, risks, trends across the manufacturing and logistics areas of the business, working with the leadership teams to drive operational performance. The role builds and maintains reporting that is accurate, consistent and timely — working closely with the Operational Performance Partners and site leadership teams to develop and optimise reporting, continuously adding value by identifying efficiencies and profitability.
About you
You’ll be a great fit if you’re technically confident, comfortable working with data, process-minded and able to build trusted relationships with leaders and stakeholders. A finance qualification would be helpful but is not essential — what matters most is your ability to work with data, improve reporting and make information clear, useful and accurate whilst building cross function relationships.
Key Accountabilities
- Build, maintain and improve automated reporting solutions using Excel, Anaplan and other relevant reporting tools.
- Use operational insight and financial data to highlight adverse performance, identify performance drivers and support actions that improve efficiency, cost control and profitability.
- Own data integrity and reporting governance across all sites, ensuring performance information is accurate, consistent and reliable. Constructively challenge where data, reporting or performance does not align to expectation.
- Identify opportunities to streamline, standardise and improve how data is collated, processed and presented.
- Support the development of dashboards and visualisations that make performance data easier to interpret and use.
- Troubleshoot reporting issues quickly and effectively to minimise disruption to business reporting.
What we are looking for
We are looking for someone with advanced Excel skills and experience working with reporting, planning or data tools. Experience with Anaplan, or a similar system, would be helpful. You will be comfortable working with financial and operational data and will have a careful, organised approach to accuracy and detail. You will enjoy working with others, listening to what teams need and helping to create reporting solutions that are practical and easy to use. Experience of manufacturing cost structures would be beneficial, although support can be provided where needed. A finance qualification would be welcome but is not essential. What matters most is your ability to work with data, communicate clearly and help improve reporting processes in a thoughtful and structured way.
About us
INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, well-established, and award-winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our family of brands includes Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher's, Classic, Pro-Nutrition, and Ultra Premium Direct, along with a number of partner brands that trust us to produce food on their behalf. Our ambition is simple: to become a global leader in pet nutrition.
Our Purpose: To create happiness. We’re on a mission to set a new standard of workplace happiness within the pet nutrition industry—one that looks like no other and feels like no other. Our culture is built on INSPIRED’s unique behaviours and colleague experience, creating an environment that excites, empowers, and puts people and pets at the heart of everything we do.
Total Reward Benefits include:
- Hybrid and flexible working.
- Annual bonus related to personal and company performance.
- Enhanced pension, life assurance, enhanced maternity, paternity, sick pay, and holiday buy options.
- People and Pets First benefits, including paw-reavement and paw-ternity leave and bring your dog to work.
- Healthcare cashback plan and Hertility at-home fertility testing.
- Heavily discounted pet food and lifestyle benefits (Netflix, Spotify, or breakdown cover).
- Retail and gym discounts, electric car scheme, and free onsite parking and electric car charging.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the colleagues and communities we serve. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We make hiring decisions based on talent, potential and the experience you bring. We are also committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring equitable access and opportunity for all. If you need any adjustments or support to take part in our recruitment process, please let us know by emailing recruitment@inspiredpetnutrition.com.
Performance Reporting and Optimisation Manager in Crick employer: Inspired Pet Nutrition
INSPIRED pet nutrition is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and development. Located near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, we provide competitive pay, comprehensive benefits including healthcare cash plans, and opportunities for overtime, all while fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where every team member can thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Performance Reporting and Optimisation Manager in Crick
✨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!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
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 Inspired Pet Nutrition. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
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 Inspired Pet Nutrition.
✨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 Inspired Pet Nutrition. 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 Performance Reporting and Optimisation Manager in Crick
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 Inspired Pet Nutrition 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 Inspired Pet Nutrition how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspired Pet Nutrition
✨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 Inspired Pet Nutrition.
✨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 Inspired Pet Nutrition'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!
