Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

Who we are:

White Stuff was established in 1985 through a simple idea. This idea grew and now we have shops and concessions in the UK and internationally, selling women’s and men’s clothing as well as beautiful accessories and homeware. Our original prints (all designed in house), intricate details and considered design touches reflect our personality and make us subtly distinctive.

Our people are at the heart of our brand, constantly moving and driving us forward. We’re sociable, talented and like minded and we’re not hierarchical or political in how we do business. We encourage entrepreneurial ideas and accountability at all levels.

Who you are:

The successful FP&A Manager will be fully qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with relevant commercial experience who strives to deliver continuous improvement. You must be a good communicator and business partner, commercially savvy, have strong analytical skills and be able to present financial data clearly and accurately to senior finance managers and non-finance personnel.

Primary objective of the job:

You will be working closely with the Senior Commercial Finance Manager and own management reporting, the month end process, production of annual budgets and forecasting cycles, and ad hoc analysis and modelling for strategic decision making. This is an excellent role for a candidate who has strong FP&A skills and experience working in a fast-paced business. Working closely with the Senior Commercial Finance Manager, this role will play a pivotal part within the organisation, supporting the company’s commercial and FP&A process across the whole business. You will have management responsibilities for a Commercial Finance Analyst.

What you’ll be doing:

• Work with the Senior Commercial Finance Manager in delivering the annual budgeting and reforecasting process, taking a lead role in model development and reporting whilst working closely with relevant stakeholders across all trading channels.

• Own reporting into Group (TFG) for all weekly, forecast and ad hoc requests

• Lead the month end process in a timely and organised manner by working closely with the Financial Control team.

• Business partner to the Marketing department providing financial support on investment decisions, budget control and ROI.

• Own tracking of risks and opportunities, manage communication of changes with Finance Director.

• Board packs own updates and development of commercial information to deliver insightful commentary on variances impacting trading and financial KPIs

• Co-ordinate the 5 year planning process and ensure updates captured accurately within the forecast system (Oracle)

• Instigate investigations into variance analysis, drilling down, interrogating, establishing root causes and providing insights, alongside the Financial Control team.

• Support the Senior Commercial Manager to develop multiple new or improved financial models across the business to seek commercial opportunities, cost efficiencies and control, and manage risks.

• Maintain and continually develop a set of daily/weekly and monthly trade reports for the leadership team and provide cover for Monday Trade reports when necessary.

• Own and development of Oracle system (newly integrated) ensuring benefits of the systema are utilized and become a super user for training others.

• Supporting and provide key input into implementation of high profile projects to ensure accuracy of reporting and financial controls are maintained

• Develop the Commercial Finance Analyst.

What you’ll need:

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)

• Retail and Ecommerce industry experience preferred

• Oracle experience must

• Business Partnering experience - Manage and influence stakeholders

• Management Accounts experience

• Written and Verbal Communication Skills - able to tell a complex story in a compelling manner via all means of communication peer and Director level

• Problem Solving - Analyse and understand complex data and situations to recommend the optimal solution (Advanced)

• Results Focused - Delivers work end to end to conclusion in a planned and controlled manner

• Excel modelling - Demonstrable experience of building complex models from scratch / blank canvas (Advanced)

• Business Partnering - Cross functional experience, partnering to develop and align reporting, KPIs & analysis (Excellent)

• Experience with BI tools (Power BI in particular) (Preferred)

What we will offer you:

As a Commercial Finance Manager at White Stuff you will be entitled to an array of great benefits, some of which include:

• Annual bonus opportunity

• Up to 25 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays

• 50% discount

• Subsidised BUPA Dental Insurance

• Healthcare cash plan and Life Assurance

• Interest free season ticket loan

• Pension Contribution

We are committed to creating an environment where we can all be proud to work and be ourselves. Part of this commitment is being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, and age.