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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and drive performance across our Merchanting Division.
- Company: Join Lords Group, a family-run business with a customer-first mindset.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse workplace, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-visibility role reporting to the COO.
- Qualifications: Senior finance leader with experience in multi-site operations.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your unique perspectives.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Based in Northampton, this role is within the Merchanting Division and reports to the COO. The Merchanting Finance Director will lead the numbers, shape the strategy, and influence the future of the organisation.
Founded 40 years ago as a family business, Lords has grown into a multi-site merchanting organisation operating from 48 locations with a turnover exceeding £450m. We operate primarily in the fast-growing repairs, maintenance and improvement (RMI) market, supplying local trades, plumbing and heating merchants, hardware stores, and construction companies.
As the business continues to scale, we’re appointing a Merchanting Finance Director to shape commercial performance across the Merchanting Division. This is a high-impact senior role for a commercially minded finance leader who turns insight into action and helps drive better decisions.
What You’ll Be Responsible For:
- Acting as the lead finance business partner for the Merchanting Division
- Influencing and supporting divisional strategy and execution
- Leading budget, reforecast and 3-year planning processes
- Producing high-quality management information, insight and board packs
- Supporting growth across sales, margin, cost control and working capital
- Preparing investment appraisals and assessing return on capital
- Defining and tracking meaningful KPIs
Financial Control & Operations:
- Overall responsibility for divisional transactional finance (PL, SL, credit control, management accounts)
- Ensuring strong controls, compliance and adherence to Group policy
- Leading internal and external audit activity
- Implementing improvements arising from audit, risk and control reviews
- Driving use of technology to improve efficiency, accuracy and cost per transaction
Leadership & Impact:
- Member of the divisional Senior Leadership Team with collective ownership of performance
- Building, developing and leading a high-performing finance team
- Raising financial capability across operational management
- Working closely with Group Finance to ensure alignment and best practice
About You:
- Senior finance leader with strong commercial and business-partnering capability
- Experience in multi-site, operational or distribution environments (merchanting, retail, logistics or similar)
- Confident influencing at senior level and constructively challenging decisions
- Strong planning, analysis and reporting expertise
- Track record of improving controls, processes and ways of working
This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-visibility role, reporting directly to the COO, with genuine influence over the direction and performance of a major merchanting business.
Please note, the closing date for applications is 13th February. Lords Group is an equal opportunity employer that recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion. Our workplace is for everyone - the more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be forward-thinking.
Finance Director in Northampton employer: Lords Group Trading
Contact Detail:
Lords Group Trading Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those in merchanting or similar sectors. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their financial strategies and recent developments. This will help you tailor your answers and show them you’re genuinely interested in shaping their future.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs. Highlight your commercial acumen and how you’ve influenced strategy in previous roles. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Lords family and contributing to our customer-first mindset.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Finance Director. Highlight your experience in multi-site operations and your ability to influence strategy. 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 showcase your commercial mindset and leadership skills. Tell us how you can drive performance and support sustainable growth in our Merchanting Division.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Quantify your achievements where possible, like improvements in controls or processes. We love numbers that tell a story about your impact!
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 ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lords Group Trading
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the merchanting sector, such as margin analysis and working capital management. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced financial performance in previous roles.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the repairs, maintenance, and improvement (RMI) market. Research Lords Group’s position within this space and think about how you can contribute to their growth strategy. Showing that you understand the industry will impress the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Prepare examples of how you've led budget processes or improved financial controls in past roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, your ability to lead and develop a high-performing finance team is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your leadership philosophy and provide examples of how you've built strong teams and raised financial capability across an organisation.
