Our leading FMCG client is looking for a Commercial Financial Controller who will focus on managing and analyzing the financial aspects of trade spend, pricing, and revenue management within a commercial environment.
Summary: As a Commercial Financial Controller , the focus will be on financial decision-making to drive profitability, cost optimization, and revenue growth, particularly through managing trade spend, pricing, and promotional strategies.
The ideal candidate should have strong analytical, process-oriented skills, and be able to communicate financial insights effectively to influence business strategies.
They should also have a deep understanding of FMCG or manufacturing financial practices and relevant qualifications.
Key Responsibilities: Financial Forecasting & Gap Analysis: Support the PS&OP (Sales, Operations, and Planning) forecasting process by analyzing income statements, working capital forecasts, and focusing on trade spend, pricing, and revenue growth.
Management Accounts & Variance Analysis: Produce monthly management accounts and conduct variance analysis, especially focusing on trade spend, pricing, and product profitability.
Budget Management: Oversee the annual budget process, ensuring alignment with revenue, margin, and cost optimization strategies.
Decision-Making Reports: Provide essential reports for decision-making, such as product profitability analysis, trade spend efficiency, and post-project appraisals.
Trade Spend & Discounting Efficiency: Continuously review accounting practices around trade spend, discounting, and promotional activities to enhance profitability.
Costing & Trade Spend Feasibility: Assess product costings and trade spend feasibility monthly and on an ad-hoc basis, ensuring alignment with revenue and margin goals.
Financial Policy Development: Develop cost-effective financial policies, focusing on trade spend management and risk mitigation.
Compliance & Financial Best Practices: Ensure compliance with financial regulations and best practices to drive commercial outcomes.
Lead Ad Hoc Projects: Manage special projects related to trade spend, pricing strategies, and revenue growth.
Ideal Competencies: Analytical Thinking: Strong at converting complex commercial scenarios (pricing, trade spend, discounting) into clear financial implications, enabling informed decision-making.
Process Orientation: Continually review and improve financial processes, especially around trade spend and revenue management, applying a commercial lens.
Continuous Improvement: Focus on optimizing net revenue and margin growth through innovative financial analysis and process improvements.
Effective Communication: Deliver precise financial analysis and provide commercially driven insights to influence positive business decisions.
Proactive and Driven: A self-starter who is energized to take on challenges and contribute to the commercial success and profitability of the business.
Preferred Experience: Qualifications: CIMA ADV DIP MA or CA(SA) qualification is preferred.
Experience: At least 5 years of experience as a management accountant within an FMCG or manufacturing environment.
Software Experience: Experience in working with business management and accounting software.