Sowena Group
Finance Business Partner
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Job Title: Finance Business Partner - UK & Europe
Location: Greater Manchester
Reporting to: Commercial Finance Director
Salary: £70,000-£80,000 + Bonus
About the Company
Our client is an international, private equity backed distribution business, delivering high quality products and value-added services to customers across the globe. Operating within a fast-paced, commercially driven environment, the business has built a strong reputation in the market.
With a multi-entity structure and an extensive distribution network, the business supports a diverse customer base across multiple sectors, combining local market knowledge with the strength and resources of an international group.
The Role
Reporting to the Commercial Finance Director, you'll provide financial leadership, commercial insight and business partnering support across multiple business functions, helping drive performance, improve profitability and influence strategic decision-making.
Working closely with Sales, Operations, Supply Chain and senior leadership, you'll play a key role in delivering robust financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management while ensuring strong financial controls and governance.
Key Responsibilities
Business Partnering & Commercial Support
- Act as a trusted finance partner to UK and European leadership teams.
- Develop a strong understanding of key business performance drivers and communicate meaningful financial insights.
- Partner with Sales teams to identify revenue, pricing and margin opportunities and risks.
- Work closely with Operations to review overhead expenditure and operational performance.
- Provide financial analysis to support commercial decision-making and improve profitability.
- Support business initiatives and continuous improvement projects across UK and European operations.
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Management Accounts & Reporting
- Prepare and deliver monthly management accounts, including Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow reporting.
- Ensure reporting is completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
- Analyse monthly performance, explaining key variances, trends and business drivers.
- Identify commercial and operational risks and opportunities through regular stakeholder engagement.
- Ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting submitted to the wider Group Finance function.
Financial Accounting & Control
- Ensure compliance with Group accounting policies and financial controls.
- Prepare robust balance sheet reconciliations and conduct regular balance sheet reviews.
- Monitor and manage intercompany balances and associated cash flow implications.
- Maintain the accuracy and integrity of financial records.
- Act as the primary finance contact for external auditors.
- Coordinate annual audits and support the preparation of statutory financial statements.
Working Capital & Cash Management
- Own the 13-week cash flow forecasting process.
- Identify and communicate working capital and cash flow risks.
- Prepare cash flow reporting for Group Finance.
- Review weekly payment recommendations and authorise payments within delegated limits.
- Produce working capital reporting, including debtor and inventory analysis.
- Support initiatives to improve cash conversion and reduce overdue debt.
Inventory Management
- Support the planning and review of quarterly stock takes across UK and European locations.
- Ensure inventory reporting and valuation comply with accounting policies.
- Analyse inventory levels, ageing and stock turnover.
- Work with operational teams to optimise inventory management and minimise stock-related risks.
- Identify inventory provisions and communicate key findings through month-end reporting.
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Budgeting & Forecasting
- Support the annual budgeting process across UK and European operations.
- Work closely with operational managers to develop robust financial plans.
- Prepare quarterly reforecasts incorporating changes in sales, costs, overheads and working capital.
- Analyse performance against budget and forecast, recommending corrective actions where required.
- Support long-term business planning and performance improvement initiatives.
Compliance & Continuous Improvement
- Ensure compliance with Group Finance policies and reporting requirements.
- Support internal and external audit processes.
- Deliver accurate financial information within agreed timescales.
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, controls and reporting.
About You
- Qualified Accountant (CIMA, ACCA or ACA).
- Strong understanding of financial controls, reconciliations and month-end processes.
- Experience in budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management.
- Excellent business partnering and stakeholder management skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable:
- Experience within distribution, wholesale or a similar environment.
- Experience working in a multi-entity environment.
- Experience using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
- Experience using Power BI.
- Experience working with international entities and foreign currency transactions.
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