Interim Commercial Finance Manager
Leading Retail Brand
Based: Southampton
£500-£550 Inside IR35
Hybrid Role
Start date: ASAP
My client is searching for an experienced and ambitious Commercial Finance Manager to join the Head Office team in Southampton. This is a critical role, providing the financial insight and challenge needed to maximise profitability and inform strategic decision-making across our core retail operations.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will be responsible for:
* Commercial Business Partnering: Act as a dedicated finance partner to non-finance stakeholders, including Operations, Merchandising, and Marketing teams, to drive commercial performance.
* Performance Analysis & Insight: Lead the preparation of timely and accurate financial analysis, including sales performance, margin analysis, stock movements, and operating expenditure. Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable commercial insights.
* Budgeting & Forecasting: Own and manage the detailed annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes for relevant commercial areas.
* Investment Appraisal: Evaluate the financial viability of key strategic projects, such as new store openings, refits, and system implementations, preparing comprehensive business cases and post-implementation reviews.
* Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve financial reporting accuracy, efficiency, and commercial understanding across the business.
What You'll Bring
* Qualifications: A recognised professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
* Experience: Proven experience (3+ years post-qualification) in a Commercial Finance or Business Partnering role, ideally within the Retail or FMCG sectors.
* Skills: Exceptional analytical and financial modelling skills. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel is essential.
* Commercial Acumen: A strong understanding of the key commercial drivers in a multi-site retail environment.
* Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders effectively.