At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse sales performance, manage budgets, and ensure financial accuracy for John Lobb.
- Company: Join the prestigious John Lobb team, known for excellence in craftsmanship.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for collaboration across teams and occasional travel to Paris.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial strategies in a luxury brand setting.
- Qualifications: Master's degree in finance or accounting and experience in industrial management accounting.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Reporting to Head of John Lobb Management & Internal Control, based in Paris.
Responsible for Management Controller assistant, based in Northampton.
Main Activities
- Analyse sales performance and margins, and conduct a comprehensive review of costs (labour, raw materials, equipment, etc.), providing clear explanations, ensuring the accuracy of financial records, and delivering variance analyses against budget and prior-year data.
- Supply the Head of Management Control with the information required to complete the consolidated financial close.
- Oversee stock valuation and the calculation of stock provisions.
- Lead the budgeting process for the manufacturing operations of John Lobb in Northampton, in close coordination with the Paris global finance team, covering P&L (sales, costs and margins) and Capex.
- Partner closely with the Industrial Director to build the budget, translating operational decisions – such as recruitment, supplier changes or product mix shifts – into meaningful financial assumptions.
- Calculate and maintain standard industrial costs at article level.
- Review and validate bill of material (BOM) accuracy.
- Carry out costing exercises to support pricing decisions for future collections.
- Prepare and manage reporting packs covering production volumes, invoicing levels, productivity ratios and order intake, proactively suggesting enhancements where relevant.
- Track spend against budget and elevate any overspend risk promptly.
- Challenge the rationale behind investment requests.
- Review and oversee the bidding process.
- Foster a culture of internal control across the entity.
- Monitor the creation and updating of internal procedures to ensure compliance with Group and legal requirements across procurement, security & CSR, stock management and HR.
- Conduct regular and ad hoc checks to verify adherence to existing procedures.
- Define and oversee the annual Internal Control plan for the manufacturing operations of John Lobb in Northampton.
- Organise and lead stock-takes, providing recommendations to drive continuous improvement.
Person Specification
Education & Experience
- Master's degree from a university or business school, with a finance or accounting background.
- Proven experience in industrial management accounting (a background in the shoe industry is an advantage, though by no means essential).
- Familiarity with M3 is an advantage.
Skills & Personal Attributes
- Strong analytical rigour, with the ability to deliver clear and reliable outputs to the central Finance team.
- A proactive mindset – real scope to improve existing analyses and processes, and the right candidate will relish that challenge.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage shifting priorities without losing sight of tight deadlines.
- A natural collaborator, comfortable working across functions and translating operational realities into financial terms.
- Self-motivated and able to bring others along – including operational teams who may not always prioritise data requests.
- Confident with IT systems and financial tools.
- Comfortable delegating, setting clear expectations, and providing constructive feedback to direct report.
- Comfortable being based full-time in Northampton, with occasional travel (to Paris and other Group or supplier sites).
Financial Controller - John Lobb in Northampton employer: JOIN
Contact Detail:
JOIN Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller - John Lobb in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and accounting sectors, especially those who might have insights into John Lobb. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into John Lobb’s financial practices. Understand their budgeting processes and internal controls. This will show you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute from day one!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen on joining the team at John Lobb.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller - John Lobb in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Financial Controller role at John Lobb. Highlight your experience in management accounting and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your analytical skills and proactive mindset, as these are key for us at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, don’t forget to showcase your strong analytical rigour. Provide examples of how you've delivered clear and reliable outputs in previous roles. We love candidates who can translate complex data into actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at JOIN
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you've analysed sales performance or managed budgets.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with John Lobb's operations, especially their manufacturing processes. Knowing how the shoe industry works will give you an edge. Be prepared to discuss how you can translate operational decisions into financial terms, showing that you understand the bigger picture.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role requires working closely with various teams. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated across functions. Highlight your ability to communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial colleagues, as this will be crucial in your role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare for scenarios related to budgeting, internal controls, or cost management. Think about how you would handle overspend risks or improve existing processes, and be ready to share your thought process.