At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape commercial decisions and drive profitable growth through financial insights.
- Company: Valeo Foods UK, home to beloved food brands and a global investment partner.
- Benefits: Matched pension scheme, staff discounts, cycle to work scheme, and more.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a transformative journey in a fast-paced environment with impactful decision-making.
- Qualifications: Studying towards ACCA or CIMA, strong financial analytics, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Company Description
At Valeo Foods UK we bring together a family of much-loved UK food brands supported by the scale and ambition of a global investment partner. From Kettle’s bold crunch to Rowse’s natural sweetness, through to Matthew Walker and Barratt Sweets, our portfolio blends heritage, craft and category-leading innovation. Alongside our branded portfolio, we are also one of the UK’s largest suppliers of private label products, partnering with major retailers to deliver quality and category expertise that meets the needs of millions of households every week. As a business, we’re on a journey of transformation. We’re strengthening our operations, driving quality and investing in our people. It’s an exciting, fast-moving environment where heritage meets new thinking, and where every colleague contributes to shaping the future of food across the UK. Join us and play your part in building the next chapter of some of Britain’s most loved brands.
Job Description
Valeo Foods are looking for a Senior Commercial Finance Business Partner to play a pivotal role in shaping commercial decision‑making and driving profitable growth across the business. Partnering closely with Sales and wider operational teams, you’ll turn data into insight, challenge assumptions, and influence strategy at every level. This is a highly visible role, ideal for a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys working with stakeholders, understanding the story behind the numbers, and helping the business make smarter, faster decisions.
What you’ll be responsible for
- Lead on revenue, pricing, and margin management, ensuring decisions support sustainable profitability.
- Support the NPD process, providing financial evaluation and guidance on innovation proposals.
- Work with the Demand Planning team to test assumptions and translate demand plans into financial outcomes.
- Provide ad‑hoc commercial analysis for the Head of Commercial Finance, Senior Finance Business Partners, Sales Director and NAMs.
- Support the weekly sales process, ensuring clarity on performance drivers.
- Review and challenge the sales forecast, providing commentary, identifying variances, and highlighting risks and opportunities.
- Collaborate with Sales to understand any gaps to budget/forecast and help shape recovery plans.
- Partner with Sales on budgeting and long‑term planning, ensuring alignment with the business’s strategic direction.
- Review month‑end performance to ensure accuracy and integrity of reported numbers.
- Deliver insightful variance analysis against budget, forecast, and prior periods.
- Support month‑end reporting with clear product margin analysis and trade investment KPI commentary.
- Conduct monthly balance sheet reviews with Sales to ensure accruals are appropriate and year‑end surprises are avoided.
Qualifications
- Studying towards ACCA or CIMA, or already fully qualified.
- Strong understanding of financial analytics, with the ability to present complex issues clearly to non‑finance stakeholders.
- Highly IT‑literate, with experience using ERP systems (including planning modules).
- Excellent report‑building skills, particularly in Excel and PowerPoint.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence to influence, challenge and persuade.
- Ability to manage day‑to‑day issues while also progressing longer‑term projects.
- A structured, systematic approach to problem‑solving.
- A commercial, inquisitive mindset with a willingness to dig into the detail.
- A hands‑on attitude and a commitment to delivering high‑quality output.
Additional Information
What we offer you in return: Matched pension scheme up to 10%, Death in service, Cycle to work scheme, Retailer discount platform, Staff discount and plenty more!
Senior Commercial Finance Business Partner in Leeds employer: Valeo Foods
At Valeo Foods UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds or Wallingford where innovation meets tradition. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our investment in training and development, alongside a supportive culture that encourages collaboration and creativity. With competitive benefits such as a matched pension scheme, staff discounts, and a focus on work-life balance, we empower our team members to thrive while contributing to the success of some of Britain's most beloved food brands.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Finance Business Partner in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and commercial sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings at Valeo Foods!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your financial analytics skills. Be ready to discuss how you can turn data into actionable insights. Show them you’re not just about numbers but also about making smart, strategic decisions that drive growth.
✨Tip Number 3
When you get the chance, ask insightful questions during interviews. This shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company’s direction. Plus, it gives you a chance to demonstrate your commercial mindset and understanding of the business.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Finance Business Partner in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Commercial Finance Business Partner role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially your financial analytics and stakeholder management abilities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced strategy or driven profitable growth in previous positions. Make it personal and engaging!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role requires strong IT literacy, be sure to mention your experience with ERP systems and your report-building skills in Excel and PowerPoint. We want to see how you can turn data into insight!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Valeo Foods
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Commercial Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the role, such as revenue, pricing strategies, and margin management. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence decision-making in previous roles.
✨Understand the Business
Valeo Foods is all about blending heritage with innovation. Research their brands and recent developments in the food industry. This will help you connect your experience with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their transformation journey.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle real-world scenarios. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated challenges in financial analysis or stakeholder management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
This role requires strong collaboration with sales and operational teams. Be prepared to discuss how you've built relationships and influenced stakeholders in the past. Highlight your communication style and how you can present complex financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
