Sowena Group is delighted to be partnering with a high-growth, private equity-backed FMCG business to appoint a Head of Commercial Finance in Hull.
This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of a dynamic, fast-paced, multi-site organisation. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will play a key role in shaping commercial strategy, driving financial performance, and embedding a commercially focused mindset across the business.
The successful candidate will provide financial insight, commercial analysis, pricing support, margin management, and financial governance, helping to drive profitable growth and informed decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
* Partner with commercial teams to evaluate customer profitability, pricing strategies, and margin performance.
* Support customer and supplier tenders, contract negotiations, and commercial decision‑making through robust financial modelling and analysis.
* Monitor sales and commodity performance against budget, forecast, and prior‑year performance.
* Build strong cross‑functional relationships with commercial, procurement, operations, and finance teams.
* Provide data‑driven insight to challenge assumptions and influence business decisions.
* Present financial analysis and recommendations to senior stakeholders in a clear, concise, and commercially focused manner.
* Support continuous improvement initiatives across the business.
* Lead and support annual budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
* Develop financial models and scenario analyses to support cost inflation recovery and business planning.
* Deliver insightful variance analysis, identifying key risks, opportunities, and performance drivers.
* Monitor business performance through KPI reporting and analysis, identifying trends and areas for improvement.
* Support the development and enhancement of performance metrics across the organisation.
* Design and improve reporting and analytical tools to support decision‑making.
* Evaluate and implement AI‑driven analytics solutions to enhance business insight.
* Drive greater adoption of data analytics and technology across finance and commercial functions.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
* ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
* Minimum of 5 years' experience in a commercial finance role.
* Experience within FMCG, food manufacturing, or a related manufacturing environment is highly desirable.
* Strong financial modelling, budgeting, forecasting, and business planning capabilities.
* Advanced Excel skills, with experience using Power BI, Microsoft Business Intelligence, or similar reporting and analytics tools.
* Strong understanding of manufacturing cost structures, supply chain finance, standard costing, pricing, and margin management.
* Ability to interpret complex financial information and translate findings into practical, actionable business insights.
* Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior leaders and non‑finance stakeholders.
* Proactive, commercially minded, and able to identify opportunities, manage challenges, and drive positive business outcomes.
What's on Offer
This is an excellent opportunity to join a successful and ambitious business at an exciting stage of its growth journey. The role offers significant exposure to senior leadership, the opportunity to influence strategic decision‑making, and the chance to make a tangible impact on business performance.
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