Howdens Joinery is looking for an Operational Finance Business Partner to support our teams across the North of England.  This is a pivotal role where you will be influencing and advising Regional, Area, and Depot Managers through targeted, data-driven analysis to maximise sales, profitability, and cost efficiencies.  

As an Operational Finance Business Partner, you'll prioritise key areas identified by the Trade Managing Director, ensuring alignment with our objectives to drive maximum returns from company initiatives. Partnering closely with the Regional Director, you'll also align strategies with Area and Depot Managers, agreeing on effective tactics and action plans to drive sales and profit growth.

This is an exciting new role, where you will develop, evaluate, and refine business plans, ensuring they are data-backed and lead to sustained performance improvements. With a strong focus on actionable insights, you'll provide clear, well-supported recommendations based on robust calculations, delivering timely and impactful analysis to the regions.

Why join Howdens as an Operational Finance Business Partner

• Highly strategic role where you will partner with and influence a diverse range of stakeholders
• Gain hands-on experience in depot operations, ensuring financial reporting and planning drives informed and effective decision-making.
• Excellent opportunities to progress within a FTSE 100, industry leader.

About Howdens:

As the UK’s leading trade kitchen supplier, Howdens proudly supports over 460,000 trade professionals through our network of 900+ depots. As a constituent of the FTSE 100 and with sales of £2.3 billion in 2024, we continue to expand, offering exciting opportunities for growth in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. 

What we can offer you as an Operational Finance Business Partner:

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• Annual Car Allowance or Company Car
• Private Healthcare for you and your family
• Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%) 
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays per year
• Share save scheme. 
• Exceptional reward and recognition events 

What will you be doing as an Operational Finance Business Partner:  

• Partnering with the Regional Directors and field teams to develop clear, strategic annual plans that support depot and regional growth.
• Collaborating with the Operational Finance Team to ensure all operating costs are accurately captured and variances to budget are understood.
• Delivering clear, concise conclusions and recommendations following engagement sessions, requiring strong analytical skills, commercial acumen, and a deep understanding of sales, profit, and cost management.
• Analysing sales, profit, and costs throughout the year, identifying opportunities and providing actionable recommendations for growth.
• Working closely with Field and Depot Managers to tailor profit and loss recommendations.
• Undertaking bespoke projects when needed.

What you will bring as an Operational Finance Business Partner:  

• Demonstrable finance business partnering experience as well as solid influencing, communication and coaching skills
• Background in financial planning or analysis in a medium or large organisation.
• Qualified Accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) or other relevant qualification
• Experience in a diverse, multi-site commercial environment.
• Highly analytical, with the ability to interpret, explain and present complex data to varied audiences.
• The ability to quickly build and develop strong relationships with varying levels of stakeholders
• Advanced Excel skills
• Proficient at prioritising tasks to set realistic deadline.
• Ability and desire to think out of the box to find innovative solutions to challenges.
• Passionate about continuous improvement.

How to apply:  

We’re creating a future where world-class service, innovation, and sustainability are at the core of everything we do. If you're looking for a place to advance your career as a Finance Business Partner, we’d love to hear from you at Howdens. 

You will need to activate your account when you apply for this role. Please check your email carefully to ensure that you have completed this step. We are unable to view your application if you have not activated your account.  

Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email recruitmentteam@howdens.com with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you.  

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