At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Commercial Finance function and drive performance for L’Oréal UKI’s Division.
- Company: Join L’Oréal, a global leader in beauty and cosmetics.
- Benefits: Real responsibility from day one, growth opportunities, and a diverse work environment.
- Other info: Embrace challenges and celebrate diversity in a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working with innovative teams and strategies.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Finance or related field; professional accounting qualification required.
A Day in the Life
As a pivotal member of the Finance team, you will lead the Commercial Finance function for one of L’Oreal UKI’s Divisions, strategically partnering with the Sales teams. Reporting directly to the Commercial Finance Director for the Division, you will work closely with key senior stakeholders across the business to drive performance against our growth and profitability objectives as well as support strategic decision-making. The role is part of a team of 5 in Commercial Finance and ensures the team’s objectives are aligned with the Division’s overarching functional goals.
- Performance Management: Establish KPIs and financial metrics to monitor, challenge and drive business and financial performance from the Commercial departments.
- Leadership: Support a Commercial Finance team, ensuring the delivery of influential and high‑quality financial analysis, reporting, and insights across all commercial areas, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
- Investment Appraisal: Lead the evaluation, provide financial insights and make decisions on investment opportunities, commercial terms, sales initiatives, and other strategic commercial projects.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor to senior management, providing financial insights and recommendations to support decision‑making across all commercial functions. This role is expected to effectively challenge performance at every level of the organisation.
- Change leadership: Observe and diagnose areas for required change and champion solutions to the Commercial functions and Divisional Leadership team. Develop and implement financial strategies to support the company’s long‑term growth objectives.
- Market and Competitor Awareness: Understand the retail markets and competitors to an expert level of detail.
- Risk Management: Identify and mitigate financial risks, ensuring robust financial controls and compliance with regulatory requirements in all commercial activities.
- Audit: Take the lead on any audit queries (internal and external) linked to Customer Allowances, Commercial Balance Sheet and stock management.
Who You Are
- Organised: You have a list and have strong planning and organisation skills – with the ability to re‑prioritise as required.
- Measured: We want to track the success of our campaigns and initiatives so projects must be able to show ROI.
- Accurate: You work to a high degree of accuracy and meet deadlines.
- Entrepreneurial: Every day, you spot opportunities to drive growth for our brand and our customers, making sure the good name of our brand is always protected.
- Proactive and Open: L’Oreal is for the pioneers, which means embracing innovative ideas, challenges and change with positivity and a hands‑on approach.
- Teams are the new heroes: There is no better feeling than being part of a successful and dynamic team, so even if you are Superman or Wonder Woman, you recognise that teams are the real heroes.
- Only Human: we all make mistakes, but you are not afraid of failure. You learn and show how the experience has helped the business learn for the future and benefitted all.
- Ambitious: You crave success, and L’Oréal is the ultimate place to achieve your dreams. We will support you all the way and make sure you have the support and development in place to help you succeed.
- You: You are real. And you are true to yourself. We cherish and celebrate diversity so you will feel right at home whoever you are.
Education and Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master's degree is highly preferred.
- Professional Qualifications: A professional accounting qualification (e.g., CIMA, ACA, ACCA) is essential, with 5+ years of post‑qualification experience.
- Experience: Proven experience in a senior Commercial Finance role, preferably within the cosmetics or consumer goods industry.
Skills
- Strong analytical and financial modelling skills, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence and build relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Strategic thinker with a hands‑on approach to problem‑solving.
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and other financial software is preferred.
- Deep understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes.
What’s In It For You
- A place for you to leave your comfort zone and grow beyond your potential (here, you’ll be encouraged to try new things and take risks!)
- Real responsibility from day 1, there’s no sitting on the sidelines at L’Oréal.
- An environment where people of every ethnicity, social background, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation as well as people with disabilities are accepted, can speak up, will thrive and are celebrated!
- A place where you can contribute to something bigger! Many of our brands have societal/environmental causes to make concrete difference.
EEO Statement
We’re committed to guaranteeing inclusive recruitment processes and to advocating for hiring and promoting each candidate in an ethical and equitable way. The Group strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant for employment because of the individual’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, visible and/or invisible disabilities, socio‑economic and/or multicultural origins, health conditions, age, religion, or any other characteristics protected by law.
[2026] - LOA - UKI - Senior Commercial Controller - LUXE (Temp advert) employer: L'oreal Usa
L'Oréal UKI is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, encouraging employees to step out of their comfort zones and embrace growth opportunities from day one. With a strong commitment to diversity and a focus on professional development, team members are empowered to contribute to meaningful projects that align with societal and environmental causes, all while receiving real responsibility and support in their career journeys.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land [2026] - LOA - UKI - Senior Commercial Controller - LUXE (Temp advert)
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like L'oreal Usa.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like L'oreal Usa might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace [2026] - LOA - UKI - Senior Commercial Controller - LUXE (Temp advert)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at L'oreal Usa will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at L'oreal Usa. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give L'oreal Usa confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at L'oreal Usa
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with L'oreal Usa.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure L'oreal Usa that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
