At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformation initiatives in Commercial Finance to enhance efficiency and decision support.
- Company: Join pladis, a global leader in biscuits and confectionery with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace that values unique perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving change in a dynamic finance environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG finance, strong analytical skills, and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
pladis was established in June 2016 and brings together the much loved, global brands of Godiva, McVitie’s, Ulker, and DeMet’s under one pladis umbrella, to form a global giant in biscuits, chocolate, and confectionary. The UK & I pladis region employs 5,000 people across 13 locations in the UK & return on investment (nine manufacturing / distribution sites and four office locations), and is an anchor market for the business.
The Commercial Finance Transformation Manager is accountable for identifying, prioritising and delivering transformation initiatives across the Commercial Finance team. The role owns improvements to ways of working, processes, governance and capability, ensuring the function operates efficiently, consistently and at pace, while enabling Commercial Finance to focus on higher‑value business partnering and decision support.
Key Deliverables:
- Act as the Commercial Finance owner for transformation, with accountability for shaping, prioritising and delivering change initiatives that improve how the Commercial Finance team operates, partners the business and creates value.
- Own the end‑to‑end Commercial Finance transformation agenda, providing a single, joined‑up view of all change initiatives across the team and ensuring alignment to strategic priorities, AOP objectives and leadership expectations.
- Lead the design and implementation of improved ways of working across Commercial Finance, driving simplification, consistency, clarity of ownership and the removal of low‑value activity.
- Take ownership of process, governance and operating model improvements, ensuring Commercial Finance processes are fit for purpose, scalable and enable higher‑value insight and decision support.
- Act as the central point of coordination for cross‑functional change, working closely with FP&A, Customer Finance, Finance Systems, Data & Analytics and commercial teams to deliver integrated, end‑to‑end improvements.
- Establish and maintain clear transformation governance, ensuring initiatives are well‑defined, progress is transparent, dependencies are actively managed and benefits are tracked and realised.
- Drive a strong focus on real, embedded outcomes, ensuring transformation initiatives deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, control, insight quality or capacity release rather than one‑off fixes.
- Support Commercial Finance leadership by providing structure, pace and challenge across the change agenda, enabling informed trade‑offs and prioritisation where capacity is constrained.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement and change ownership within Commercial Finance, embedding capability, tools and behaviours that encourage teams to challenge how work is done and propose better solutions.
- Act as a trusted partner to the Commercial Finance leadership team, shaping the longer‑term evolution of the function to meet the needs of the business as it grows and changes.
Requirements:
- Proven experience in FMCG in Customer/ Commercial Finance.
- A passion for business performance management & analytics.
- A strong collaborator and communicator.
- Ability to influence and work collaboratively across the organisation.
- Ability to work optimally in an ambiguous and changing role and able to drive agenda forward.
- Self-confidence and skill to challenge the Customer team.
- Strong financial and commercial competence built over a 5-year minimum career.
- Advanced MS Excel, PPT and the ability to turn raw data into powerful insights.
- A qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA).
Our Winning Traits and Behaviours:
- Purpose-Led - Energised by our promise to deliver happiness to the world with every bite.
- Agile - Ever evolving, never satisfied and never standing still.
- Collaborative - Willing to work with others for mutual success.
- Resilient - Quick to adapt to change, fast learner and persistent in the face of setbacks.
- Positive - Self-motivated, optimistic, adventurous, and inspiring.
Diversity and inclusion is central to everything we do and is reflected across our business. pladis brings together brands and people from around the world – and this diversity is our great strength. We’re an equal opportunities employer and believe in encouraging an inclusive environment where we celebrate diversity of thinking and respect everyone’s distinctive qualities and perspectives. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Commercial Finance Transformation Manager employer: pladis Global
At pladis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and continuous improvement. As a Commercial Finance Transformation Manager, you will have the opportunity to drive meaningful change within a diverse team, supported by robust employee growth initiatives and a commitment to inclusivity. Our UK & I region, with its rich heritage of beloved brands, provides a unique environment where your contributions will directly impact our mission to deliver happiness with every bite.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Transformation Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at pladis. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research pladis, their brands, and recent news. Show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Commercial Finance Transformation Manager role. Highlight your achievements and how they can benefit pladis.
✨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 serious about joining the pladis team.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Transformation Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about transforming Commercial Finance and making a real impact at pladis.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in FMCG and Commercial Finance. We love seeing how your skills align with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure you articulate your thoughts well without unnecessary fluff. It helps us see your potential quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at pladis Global
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Finance Transformation Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive business decisions in the past. This will show your potential employer that you can turn raw data into powerful insights.
✨Showcase Your Transformation Experience
Prepare specific examples of transformation initiatives you've led or been part of. Highlight how these initiatives improved processes or created value. This is crucial as the role focuses on delivering change initiatives across the Commercial Finance team.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
This role requires strong collaboration with various teams. Be ready to share instances where you've successfully worked with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals. This will illustrate your ability to influence and work collaboratively across the organisation.
✨Demonstrate Agility and Resilience
The job description mentions the need for agility and resilience. Prepare to discuss how you've adapted to changes in previous roles and how you handle setbacks. This will show that you're not just a problem-solver but also someone who thrives in dynamic environments.
