About the role...
The Assistant Finance Manager will assist the Finance Manager with leading the Distribution finance function in the delivery of finance services for the Distribution Network.
The role will ensure the key deliverables such as payroll processing, reporting, finance governance and control and support the site operational management with providing commercial and financial insight and decision support, tactical business finance, overseeing administration services, interpretation, analysis and challenge to the operational management teams.
We uphold three core behaviours that guide all our actions:
Love Our Customers: We strive to delight our customers, listening and responding to their needs because they are our priority.
Care for Our Colleagues: We support each other to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Protect Our Pounds/Euros: We are committed to cost-efficiency and value, ensuring every penny counts.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Why choose us?
* Professional development: A comprehensive induction plan and the opportunity to complete in-house development programmes to set you up for success or to pursue QUALIFICATION through our apprenticeship programme.
* Bonus Potential: Unlock the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements.
* Free On-Site Parking: Enjoy the convenience of free parking, making your daily commute hassle-free.
* Onsite Coffee Lounge: Take advantage of our onsite coffee lounge, a perfect space to relax and recharge during breaks.
* Exclusive Store Discounts: Receive a 10% discount on most in-store purchases, enhancing your shopping experience.
* Family-Friendly Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits are designed to support your and your family’s needs.
* My Staff Shop: Gain exclusive discounts through our ‘My Staff Shop’ portal, saving on various products and services.
* Life Assurance Cover: Enjoy peace of mind with our life assurance cover, securing your family’s future.
* Health & Wellbeing Programme: Benefit from an employee assistance programme that supports your health and wellbeing.
* Generous Holiday Allowance: Start with a generous leave entitlement that increases by one day each year (up to 33 days), with the option to buy additional holiday annually. Celebrate your special day off work every year with an extra day’s holiday because we believe birthdays are important.
* Pension Scheme: Plan for the future with our contributory pension scheme, helping you save for a secure retirement.
Your Impact and Responsibilities…
* To co-ordinate the production of weekly/monthly/tactical reporting across the DC ensuring these reports are delivered on time in full.
* To co-ordinate the benchmarking of site performance through analysis, interpretation and provide appropriate challenges through insightful commentary underpinned by an action plan.
* Confidently lead the Distribution Finance and Administration function with the responsibility to service the needs of Distribution Centre by ensuring the team achieve their key deliverables.
* Through strong leadership and gravitas supervise and manage a team with respect to ensuring site financial services are delivered by the site finance team, performance management; deliver training and development, guidance and mentoring with a defined succession plan.
* Challenge and guide Operations on performance improvement; create a management reporting framework which provides regular and thorough business challenge to the Operations which is fully documented through actions plans.
* Creation and implementation of a finance training programme for Operational teams, to create financial awareness, create healthy tension based on Network kpi’s, to drive appropriate challenges and actions to deliver sustained performance improvement.
* Review and document key operational procedures and document key control procedures; drive adherence in the distribution environment to ensure control through regular reconciliations for cost, revenue and suppliers statements. Set up internal audit processes to ensure robust controls.
* Support the Finance Manager with the production of the annual budget and quarterly forecast cycle. Co-ordination of the budget timetable and ensuring deadlines are met, and assigning activities across the Network finance team.
* Support the development and assist in leading the delivery of the 3 year business plan outlook across the network.
* Ensure that risks and opportunities are highlighted to relevant stakeholders supporting mitigation strategies
* Work closely with cross functional departments such as Retail, Property and Trading to ensure best service delivery and value to the business as a whole.
* Key finance representative at weekly/monthly Operations "Period Review" meetings, confidently deliver operational material to those audiences.
* To be effective and trusted with the ability to step up in the absence of the Finance Manager in support the operations.
* To work closely with Network Finance counterparts through regular communication to ensure consistent approach and where necessary provide absence cover.
* Drive forward profit opportunities on capital projects through investment appraisal, procurement strategies, commercial prowess (capex, utility management, procurement etc.)
* Development of effective balanced scorecard reporting for Distribution management.
* Effective forecasting, sensitivity and scenario planning for additional cost/ cost reduction at different levels of activity.
* • Responsible for Warehouse or Transport business performance reporting the Distribution
* Centre (weekly/periodic cost reporting).
* Analysis and challenge of business performance particularly Warehouse, and Transport operations, ensuring that risks and opportunities are highlighted promptly and actions are driven through relevant stakeholders.
* Production and analysis of monthly management results, reviewing variances to flash, provide insightful commentary by function and analysis for Distribution. Continuously, improve the robustness of month end reporting.
* Drive through cost reduction initiatives by influencing and building strong working relationships to ensure buy in and successful delivery.
* Work closely with Stock teams to ensure meaningful and insightful reporting is produced to deliver corrective actions around stock management.
* Support the Network with various project implementations and streamlining reporting and financial modelling.
* Credible analysis and influence of business results with respect to the cost of serving new stores and new territories through new store evaluations.
Skills and Knowledge…
* At least part-qualified (AAT) and 1-3 years hands on experience in Distribution operations/a Finance environment.
* Knowledge and experience of a Logistics/Distribution environment with demonstrable understanding of operations.
* Supervise and manage DC Finance Team (Finance Co-ordinators) therefore must possess proven management skills as well as change management experience.
* Expected to have a sound understanding of the finance function within a Distribution environment with the experience to embed a new finance function that is fully equipped to meet the dynamic demands of Distribution.
* Understanding of Time and Attendance, payroll systems, Transport scheduling and planning software and other Distribution systems.
* Strong IT skills, especially Excel.
* Significant experience of using Accounting ledger software.
* Able to communicate effectively with all levels of management and colleagues.
* Ability to interpret and challenge business results, not just “produce the numbers”.
* Ability and confidence to constructively influence or challenge Distribution middle and senior management.
* Good time management and planning skills.
* Ability to work to regular weekly and monthly deadlines.
* Proven management skills with the develop and proactively strive to achieve best in class operational processes.
* Industrial Relations experience with ideally pay negotiations.
* Significant experience of financial management, ideally in a Logistics or Retail environment.
About us...
Since our humble beginnings in 1990, Poundland has evolved into a retail powerhouse with over 700 stores and nearly 13,000 dedicated colleagues across the UK and Republic of Ireland. The addition of Dealz in 2011 further solidified our presence, enabling us to reach millions of customers with our unparalleled value offerings.
At Poundland & Dealz, we don't just offer products at unbeatable prices; we cultivate an environment where every colleague can thrive and contribute to our mission of providing amazing value to millions of customers.
Our commitment to excellence, inclusion, and sustainability forms the foundation of our culture, empowering our team members to be the best versions of themselves while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. Our behaviours and the hard work, commitment and passion of our wonderful colleagues make it all possible.
We like to keep things simple, so we have just three behaviours that lie at the heart of everything we do and keep us on track. They are Love our customers, Care for our colleagues, and Protect the Pounds and Euros. By living our behaviours every day, we've created a land that is fun, friendly, and full of surprises—a place where our people can truly be the best versions of themselves!