FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNER 

FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNER 

Based in the heart of the Black Country in the West Midlands, our confidential client is a highly successful privately-owned wholesale / distribution group and the largest of their type in the UK.

They have a stable business model, and supply a diverse range of industries from their multi-site network of distribution centres. Operating in a competitive market, they deliver annual revenues of c£500m and their strategy is to empower business leaders to develop their businesses by offering genuine autonomy and encouraging ownership and accountability for their numbers.

Their current finance team is a solid one, with good technical skills and timely reporting dominating skillsets. To take their UK business to the next level, the finance offering needs to be more aligned to the group operations, driven by a focus on true business partnering with local business leaders. To support this restructure, they are keen to receive applications from talented finance business partners.

Responsibilities:

• Develop relationships with key stakeholders i.e. senior operational team including directors and unit business leaders;
• Provide a business partnering service to business units, both supporting and challenging the management team in delivering its results;
• Development and interpretation of insightful analytical tools to drive the business forward i.e. profitability analysis, overhead cost analysis;
• Influencing the strategic decision-making process, and developing forecasting models to support business planning.
• Maximising finance and other business systems to develop a suite of management information to serve the developing needs of the leadership team; 
• Production and review of the income statement/ balance sheet, understanding variances and identifying opportunities improve performance;
• Drive standardisation and efficiency of various business processes with a view to improving the production and accuracy of business information, which may involve system changes including installation of an ERP system;
• Maximising finance and other business systems to develop a suite of management information to serve the developing needs of the leadership team;
• Supporting due diligence projects and business integrations, as part of non-organic business growth agenda;
• Encouraging a strong financial control environment;

The Person

• Professionally qualified (ACA, ACCA, ACMA) ideally with a strong academic record
• Demonstrable experience with an understanding of privately-owned businesses;
• Comfortable playing a role as a partner alongside line management, supporting them in the delivery of their financial performance;
• Pragmatic, but business-focused approach;
• Ability to see and execute opportunities to improve processes both in Finance arena and the wider business;
• A self-starter, willing to commit to a plan of action and carry it out, seeking direction where appropriate;
• Attention to detail and willing to get hands dirty where necessary, particularly when managing through the early stages of change;
• Some experience of M&A would be advantageous;
• ERP experience is important and systems implementation or development would be an added benefit;
• Ability to introduce and play a governance role across key commercial decisions;

For more information on the role or to apply with your CV to our retained consultant James Heffernan, please click the apply button below. Please note any direct or third party CVs will be forwarded to SF Group.