At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and performance management for a global biscuits and confectionery business.
- Company: Join pladis, a fast-growing global leader in biscuits and chocolate.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while bringing happiness to consumers worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG finance, strong analytical skills, and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you. As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.
To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive because we expect pace and agility, insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.
Why join our team? 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.
What will this role achieve? The UK & I business has ambitious growth plans, and this role sits within the Commercial Finance team, acting as a strategic finance business partner to the Customer Finance teams. The role strengthens decision‑making, governance and value creation across customer strategies and investments by embedding strong planning, performance management and investment disciplines. Through leading annual planning, monthly performance cycles and risk & opportunity reviews, the role ensures delivery of high‑quality financial insight, rigorous financial control and robust evaluation of customer investment decisions, while supporting the Customer Finance teams in developing a deeper understanding of consumer and trade dynamics to enable more effective customer strategies and improved business outcomes.
What will be your key deliverables?
- Lead the development of Joint Business Plans translating customer strategy into robust, value‑focused financial plans that link investment levels to sustainable growth outcomes.
- Partner with customer teams on Annual Planning and AOP development, shaping customer financial plans, investment choices and volume assumptions to support delivery of annual targets.
- Provide end‑to‑end financial performance leadership for assigned customer areas, analysing results from volume through to profitability, identifying key risks and opportunities, and recommending corrective or growth‑driving actions.
- Own the financial control environment for business‑partnered customer teams, ensuring strong governance across pricing, trade investment and customer terms, with disciplined balance sheet management.
- Ensure financial accuracy, compliance and rigour, including prevention of pricing claims and proactive management of unsolicited deductions in partnership with central finance teams.
- Partner with Customer Leads to deliver the monthly financial cycle, providing clear insight into performance versus last cycle, AOP and prior year, and explaining key performance drivers.
- Lead the tracking and review of Risks & Opportunities, ensuring transparency, timely escalation and clear action plans to protect delivery.
- Work with customer teams to identify, evaluate and prioritise in‑year growth opportunities, supporting commercial decision‑making with robust financial insight.
What do you need for this role?
- 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. pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.
We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidates to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business. We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.
Commercial Finance Manager employer: pladis
At pladis, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive employer that champions personal and professional growth. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and accountability, while our commitment to diversity ensures that every voice is heard. With a strong focus on employee development and a clear vision for success, joining our team as a Commercial Finance Manager means becoming part of a global leader in the biscuits and confectionery industry, where your contributions will directly impact our mission to bring happiness to consumers worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at pladis. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching pladis and its brands. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their mission of bringing happiness. Tailor your answers to show you’re a perfect fit for their culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial insights! Be ready to discuss how you can drive performance and add value to customer strategies. Use real examples from your experience to demonstrate your skills and knowledge.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the pladis team and contributing to their exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role and our mission shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about bringing happiness to consumers with our iconic brands.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in FMCG and any relevant financial achievements. We love seeing how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to your financial insights and experiences.
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 shows you’re serious about joining our team at pladis.
How to prepare for a job interview at pladis
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the FMCG sector and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive business decisions in the past.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role requires strong collaboration with customer teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals. Highlight your ability to influence and communicate effectively.
✨Embrace Agility and Resilience
The company values agility and resilience. Be prepared to share experiences where you've adapted to change or overcome challenges. This will show that you can thrive in a fast-paced environment and contribute positively to the team.
✨Align with Their Purpose
Understand the company's mission to bring happiness through their products. During the interview, express how your personal values align with this purpose and how you can contribute to their vision of success.
