At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive profitable growth through strategic finance partnerships across Retail, Wholesale, and Ecommerce.
- Company: Join Paul Smith, a leading independent design company known for creativity and individuality.
- Benefits: Enjoy 60% staff discount, flexi-time, 33 days' leave, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that celebrates diversity and empowers all employees.
- Why this job: Be part of a unique brand that values creativity and supports your professional growth.
- Qualifications: ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with 5+ years in Commercial Finance or FP&A.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
Paul Smith is one of Britain’s leading independent design companies, driven by a spirit of curiosity, playfulness, adaptability and passion.
These values shape every aspect of the brand, whether it’s a shirt, a shop or a special collaboration.
Reaffirming the values that Paul set down in 1970, ‘classic with a twist’ remains the guiding principle of the company.
Happily positioned between high fashion and formalwear, while taking reference from both, Paul Smith has always been proud to stand apart.
The Head of Commercial Finance is a strategic finance business partner responsible for driving profitable growth across Retail, Wholesale and Ecommerce.
Reporting directly into the CFO and working closely with Merchandising, Production, Sourcing, Sales and Retail teams, the role provides commercial insight, financial challenge and robust analysis to support better pricing, inventory, promotional and investment decisions.
The role owns the commercial performance reporting framework, identifying risks and opportunities across sales, margin and inventory, whilst influencing decision-making to maximise profitability, cash generation and return on investment.
You will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the Group’s strategic objectives through business partnering, financial planning, continuous improvement and the development of commercial finance best practice.
This is a new position within the company and can be based from either our Nottingham or London office.
- What you’ll be doing
- Partner with senior leaders across Merchandising, Production, Sourcing, Retail, Wholesale and Ecommerce to drive commercial performance.
- Provide financial insight and constructive challenge to support strategic decision-making.
- Lead financial evaluation of pricing strategies, commercial initiatives and investment opportunities.
- Own gross margin, profitability and commercial performance reporting across all sales channels.
- Deliver analysis of pricing, product mix, promotions and customer profitability to identify growth opportunities.
- Drive actions to improve margin performance and maximise commercial returns.
- Partner with business teams to optimise inventory investment, stock levels and working capital.
- Lead forecasting and planning for sales, margin and inventory performance.
- Develop financial models and scenario analysis to support strategic and operational decisions.
- Own KPI reporting and performance dashboards, providing clear insight to stakeholders and leadership teams.
- Drive continuous improvement through enhanced reporting, automation and finance transformation initiatives.
- Support and develop finance team capability while partnering with the CFO on strategic projects.
Who you are
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, with a minimum 5 years' experience in Commercial Finance, FP&A or Finance Business Partnering.
- Experienced within retail, fashion, apparel, consumer goods or other premium branded environments.
- Proven expertise in pricing, margin optimisation, profitability analysis, inventory management and commercial performance reporting.
- Strong track record of partnering with cross-functional teams including Merchandising, Retail, Wholesale and Ecommerce.
- Highly commercial, with the ability to turn complex financial data into clear, actionable business insight.
- Advanced financial modelling, forecasting and business case development skills.
- Confident influencing, challenging and building credibility with senior stakeholders and leadership teams.
- Strong analytical, organisational and prioritisation skills, with excellent attention to detail.
- Advanced Excel capability, with experience using Power BI or other business intelligence and reporting tools.
- Proactive, results-driven and adaptable, with a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Why you’ll love working with us
Working at Paul Smith means being part of a brand that celebrates creativity, individuality and authenticity.
Even though we are a global business, we’ve stayed true to who we are at heart.
Our offices and shops remain welcoming and inclusive spaces built around collaboration, where we encourage our people to be themselves, reach their full potential, and play a part in creating something truly unique.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your lifestyle and wellbeing, which includes a 60% staff discount and a seasonal clothing allowance.
You’ll also enjoy flexi-time, 33 days’ annual leave with the option to buy or sell holiday days, private healthcare with Vitality, wellbeing support and other perks to keep you motivated and inspired.
If you like the sound of what you’ve read so far, find out more about our company culture and the full list of benefits we can offer you.
At Paul Smith, we celebrate and encourage applications from all walks of life into our growing workforce.
We are committed to empowering people from any background, belief system, or ethnicity, offering an inclusive environment where talent is recognised and valued.
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Head of Commercial Finance in Nottingham employer: Paul-Smith
At Paul Smith, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our Nottingham and London offices provide a dynamic environment where employees can thrive, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in the premium fashion sector. Join us to make a meaningful impact on our financial strategies while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that values innovation and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Finance in Nottingham
✨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!
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✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Finance in Nottingham
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 Paul-Smith 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 Paul-Smith how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Paul-Smith
✨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!
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✨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 Paul-Smith'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!
