At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis to drive performance and support growth.
- Company: Fast-growing outdoor brand focused on escapism and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical insurance, generous leave, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team passionate about protecting the planet and building something unique.
- Why this job: Shape the finance function during a critical growth phase with direct leadership exposure.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with significant FP&A experience in fast-growth retail environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
About the Business
Passenger is driven by a passion for escapism, connection, and the wellbeing of both people and the planet. As a fast growing brand in the outdoor sector, we create products that are "made to roam" and embody a culture that embraces inclusivity and fosters a collaborative team environment. We’re looking for someone who shares our passion for protecting the planet while building something unique and authentic. We are growing rapidly towards £100m revenue. With a strong customer proposition, growing international presence, and ambitious leadership team, we are entering the next phase of growth where commercial insight, robust forecasting, and disciplined cash management are critical.
The Role
Reporting to the CFO, you will own the FP&A agenda across the business, implementing best‑in‑class forecasting, budgeting, and reporting processes while providing commercial insight to support key trading decisions. This role requires someone who understands the pace and complexity of a DTC retail environment, particularly stock, margin, marketing efficiency, fulfilment economics, cash flow, and trading performance.
Key Responsibilities
- FP&A Build & Forecasting
- Design and implement a robust budget and rolling forecasting process across P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow.
- Build scalable FP&A processes, models, and reporting frameworks suitable for a business approaching £100m turnover.
- Lead annual budgets, quarterly reforecasts, and long‑range planning cycles.
- Improve forecast accuracy through data‑led analysis and cross‑functional collaboration.
- Commercial Partnering
- Work closely with Trading and Merchandising teams to ensure sales, margin, stock, and intake plans are aligned.
- Support pricing, promotions, markdown, and range decisions through commercial analysis.
- Provide weekly and monthly trading insight with clear actions for stakeholders.
- Challenge assumptions and identify opportunities to improve profitability and efficiency.
- Marketing Performance & Customer Economics
- Partner closely with Marketing teams to evaluate channel performance and return on spend.
- Own analysis of Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Lifetime Value (LTV), payback periods, contribution by channel, and cohort performance.
- Build reporting to track acquisition efficiency, retention trends, and customer profitability.
- Stock, Supply Chain & Cash Management
- Partner with Merchandising, Operations, and Supply Chain to optimise stock levels, intake planning, and working capital.
- Ensure stock commitments are aligned to demand forecasts and cash availability.
- Analyse and challenge 3PL, warehousing, fulfilment, carrier, and distribution costs to improve operational efficiency and margin.
- Support decisions around logistics partners, service levels, and international distribution economics.
- Lead cash forecasting processes and provide visibility on liquidity and funding needs.
- Monitor risks around excess stock, slow movers, margin erosion, and supply chain disruption.
- Reporting & Leadership
- In conjunction with the FC implement a financial and commercial month end pack.
- Produce insightful monthly reporting highlighting key variance and key decision for management.
- Provide a latest view with risks and opportunities to the SLT.
- Develop finance processes, controls, and ways of working appropriate for a scaling business.
- Potential to build and lead an FP&A team as the business grows.
Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Qualified accountant with significant PQE.
- Significant FP&A experience within DTC apparel, fashion, retail, or consumer brands.
- Proven track record in a fast‑growth environment, ideally scaling businesses through £50m–100m+ revenue.
- Strong understanding of retail economics: gross margin, stock management, markdowns, returns, CAC, LTV, fulfilment, 3PL cost structures, and cash conversion.
- Experience of partnering with head of merchandising to ensure sales, stock and margin are aligned.
- Experience implementing forecasting and planning processes from scratch or transforming existing capability.
- Experience of building revenue forecasting in a DTC business.
- Strong commercial understanding of digital marketing performance metrics and supply chain cost drivers.
- Advanced financial modelling and analytical skills. (Excel/Gsheets)
Personal Attributes
- Self‑starter who thrives in an entrepreneurial, fast‑paced environment.
- Strong problem solver who can simplify complexity and drive action.
- Commercially minded with confidence to challenge senior stakeholders.
- Hands‑on, resilient, and comfortable operating at both strategic and detailed levels.
- Excellent communicator with strong cross‑functional influencing skills.
- Not phased by change and changing processes.
Why Join?
- Opportunity to shape the finance function during a critical growth phase.
- Highly visible role with direct exposure to senior leadership.
- Build processes, capability, and team from the ground up.
- Be part of an ambitious brand with significant headroom for growth.
Benefits
- Competitive Salary.
- A culture of freedom, flexibility and trust.
- Private Medical Insurance for you and your dependants.
- Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays + a day for your birthday.
- Very generous staff discount (50%) and Friends and Family discount (20%).
- £400/annum Passenger Voucher.
- 5% Pension contribution.
- Annual Volunteering Day to support causes that matter to you.
Lead FP&A Manager employer: Passenger
Passenger is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, making it an ideal place for those passionate about the outdoors and sustainability. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to shape the finance function during a pivotal growth phase, while enjoying competitive benefits such as generous annual leave, private medical insurance, and a significant staff discount. Join us in our mission to create meaningful products and experiences that resonate with both people and the planet.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead FP&A Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your passion for sustainability and growth. This will help you stand out as someone who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in FP&A can drive performance and support scalable growth. Tailor your examples to show how you've tackled challenges in fast-paced environments before.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our team at Passenger.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead FP&A Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for the outdoors and sustainability shine through. We want to see how you connect with our mission and values, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant FP&A experience in the DTC retail space. We’re looking for someone who understands the ins and outs of retail economics, so be specific about your achievements and how they relate to our needs.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for this role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Passenger
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Lead FP&A Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics like gross margin, stock management, and cash flow. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics in past roles to drive performance and support decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Insight
This role requires a strong understanding of retail economics. Prepare examples of how you've partnered with trading and merchandising teams to align sales and stock plans. Highlight any specific strategies you've implemented that improved profitability or efficiency.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that test your problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly around forecasting and planning processes. Be prepared to explain how you simplified complexity and drove action.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
You'll be working closely with various teams, so it's crucial to show your ability to influence and communicate effectively. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate your experience in collaborating with marketing, supply chain, and leadership teams to achieve common goals.
