Senior Category Finance Manager

Key Responsibilities: 

Financial Strategy & Performance Management 

• In close collaboration with RDD, Design Managers, Group Marketing, and the Product Costing team, you will evaluate business cases and influence decisions regarding New Launches.
• Work with the Category Director and team to strategically plan, manage, and enhance the global Category P&L performance, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
• Provide financial insights that contribute to category and market intelligence, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the business's financial health. 
• Establish and track financial and non-financial performance indicators, ensuring consistency across reporting frameworks. 
• Benchmark performance against other categories and markets, delivering actionable insights and promoting best practices. 
• Assist in resource allocation to ensure efficient investments in product development, infrastructure, and operations. 
• Collaborate with Brand Building Investment (BBI) teams to evaluate and maximize ROI on marketing and promotional initiatives. 
• Contribute to preparations for monthly Product Delivery meetings, Executive category reviews, and Board reviews when necessary.

Business & Strategic Planning ​

• Facilitate the development of the Category 5-year plan by forecasting future volumes and P&L based on the latest product range plans and business case development.
• Enable the team to define market portfolio roles within the category and allocate resources effectively to achieve mid- and long-term company goals.
• Assist in resource allocation to ensure efficient investments in product development, infrastructure, and operations.

SSPs / Pricing Governance/  

• Support decision-making for pricing, ranging, promotional strategies, and product line optimization by applying a financial perspective to all recommendations. 
• Ensure SSPs are approved according to company policies and are properly documented.

Product Lifecycle Management 

• Provide financial support throughout product lifecycle phases, including investment appraisals, SKU proliferation, range transitions, and end-of-life product strategies. 
• Conduct post-investment reviews and milestone governance to ensure accountability and value delivery from product development initiatives.

Reporting & Analytics 

• Utilize global reporting to deliver precise data, KPIs, and analysis for category performance across both financial and non-financial metrics. 
• Provide clear insights for market performance benchmarking and category health to guide senior leadership decision-making.

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration 

• Work effectively with RDD, operations, and commercial teams to ensure alignment between functional priorities and financial objectives. 
• Provide regular updates and financial clarity to senior stakeholders, including Executive and Board reporting. 
• Actively participate in creating cross-functional consensus and driving organizational change.

Leadership & Team Development 

• Mentor and develop Finance Managers/Analysts supporting the Category, cultivating a growth-oriented environment that empowers performance and career advancement. 
• Collaborate to promote best practices across finance and operational functions. 

About You: 

• Qualified accountant (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience in commercial finance positions. 
• Experience in consumer-facing industries, preferably within premium or technology sectors. 
• A proven history in strategic financial reporting, forecasting, and P&L management. 
• Previous experience working within cross-functional teams, including marketing, operations, and product development. 
• Strong analytical skills with a track record of providing actionable insights that influence strategy. 
• Ability to translate complex financial data into understandable narratives for non-financial stakeholders. 
• Excellent communication skills, capable of managing and influencing senior stakeholders across various functions. 
• Solid understanding of investment appraisal, demand and capacity planning, and ROI evaluation. 

Personal Attributes: 

• Strategic thinker, adept at balancing immediate goals with long-term vision. 
• Commercially astute, able to propose practical solutions that enhance profitability. 
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to build relationships and drive consensus across diverse teams. 
• Detail-oriented, committed to delivering accurate and reliable financial results.