Finance Lead for Europe & Africa

Job Description

A collective energy and ambition. A place where you can make a real difference.

We’re a company that genuinely cares about our people, our products, our consumers and the environment.

Our unique, informal culture champions courage, determination and collaboration. Knowing we have an open and supportive team means each of us has the freedom to take responsibility and ownership. We have a shared passion to work hard, innovate and push boundaries.

United by the belief that when we strive for growth, anything is possible. While we might not be the largest company in our industry, we believe we can have the biggest impact because: Together We Have the Power to Win.

Are you a Qualified Account with significant experience within a multi-national FMCG company? Do you have exceptional insight and analysis skills? Are you relationship focused, able to influence stakeholders at all levels?

If the answer is yes - then look no further. Church & Dwight UK Ltd have a permanent role for a Finance Lead for Europe & Africa based in London (50% working from home, 50% in the office).

This role is a critical member of our Export (GMG) team, covering all elements of financial control and commercial decision-making. It provides assistance with the strategy, reporting and forecasting of the export (GMG) business for the UK entity, whilst also being heavily involved in day-to-day support, challenging and providing insight to the commercial and executive teams for Europe and Africa. 

Due to the nature of the role, relationships are critical, as well as business travel to meet international customers and flexibility to account for different time zones.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Support

• Strategic financial support to the GMG Sales Director – EA.

• New distributor vetting.

• Financial support for new brand and country launches.

• Provide overall strategic direction for the EA region with Sales Director.

Monthly analysis of results

• On a monthly basis, assist with the analysis of the financial results to understand and communicate the key financial drivers and in particular the variances from the financial plan, prior year and latest forecast for UK and France Export divisions.

• Produce the standard monthly reports for Europe & Africa GMG and ensure all monthly returns to Group are made accurately and timely.

• Periodic & ad-hoc review of Europe & Africa customer profitability and recommendations for improvement.

• Review of export overhead cost centres and report on variances.

Annual plan

• Assist with the co-ordination of producing the annual plan for Europe & Africa and facilitate the GMG Plan build for the UK, working closely with the commercial teams.

• Assist with the modelling of annual plan and provision of analysis and commentary

New Product/country Development

• Ensure that all new product development projects for GMG have robust and accurate financial analysis, at each stage of the new product development process.

• Assist with the financial appraisals for product launches in new countries and new customers.

Sales/Spend tracking and financial forecasting

• Assist and challenge the account managers to inform the Export Director on mid-month / quarter sales performance and expectations for that period.

• Assist and challenge account managers to produce robust financial forecasts on a monthly & quarterly basis.

• Assist and consolidate financial forecasts to required parties for Europe & Africa and support forecast process for the UK entity, covering sales and trade related costs together with marketing spend.

• Assist and challenge account managers with setting up new contracts.

Monthly and Year end Reporting

• Assist with month end close and reporting, including preparation of month end adjustments

• Provide year-end adjustments and assist with audit queries, if required

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in a similar role within a multi-national FMCG organisation. In addition:

• Hold a University degree in a relevant field

• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

• Ability to lead cross functionally, forge strong working relationships and build effective project teams.

• Self-motivated with the ability to plan ahead and use initiative.

• Strong negotiating skills.

• Strategic thinking.

• Confident user of IT systems particularly Microsoft Office. SAP/Oracle would be an advantage.

• Ability to manage, motivate and inspire people.

• Decision Making - Ability to analyze and interpret data to make accurate and expedient decisions.

• Commercially aware with a clear focus on driving excellent financial & commercial performance.

• Awareness of developing and maintaining a framework of strong financial controls.

• Committed to driving change and comfortable with managing the associated conflicts

In return, we offer a competitive salary with 24 days annual leave, car allowance, individual performance related bonus, health cash plan, life assurance cover and highly competitive pension scheme.

For more information on our company, our brands and our culture visit us at http://www.churchdwight.co.uk/

When applying for a role and sending your cv, you understand that the Company will hold your personal data in relation to your prospective employment and will process that data for legitimate business reasons within the requirements of UK data protection laws currently in effect and as they become applicable, including the Data Protection Act 1998, the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679)) and any successor legislation. Candidate Privacy Notice.