Avoca Commercial Finance Business Partner

Avoca operates in 13 store locations, Central Bakery & Kitchen, Central Stores and Weaving Production Mill, across the country. After all this time, the ethos of Avoca remains the same. We cherish our time-honoured traditions, which have been lovingly passed down through several generations. Today, there are third generation weavers working at the Mill. Our skills might be steeped in a long and rich tradition, but our attitude is to look to the future. Now heralded as one of Ireland's most exciting retail stores, there are Avoca ceramics, clothing, perfumes, soaps and more from our own design studio. We have a host of award-winning cafes and restaurants, Food Markets crammed with artisanal ingredients from near and far, as well as a best-selling range of Avoca cookbooks. There are also gardens to explore at many of our stores, as well as florists and garden centres. The list goes on. And all of this from a modest handwaving mill, established in a rural Irish village in 1723.

We are currently recruiting for a Commercial Finance Business Partner.

The role is a bridge between the Finance function, management, and other areas of the business. They deliver and interpret financial information, tools, analysis, and insight to executives across the business that equips them with the information they need to make informed decisions that align with company objectives.

The role will drive and support financial reporting and analysis, scorecards, KPIs, strategic planning and forecasting.

Advanced Excel skills are essential. The role is important in providing the insight that allows managers to challenge, coach and motivate their teams.

This is a permanent opportunity as part of the finance team and will report to the Finance Director Avoca. The role will be based at the company's head office in Kilmacanogue, Wicklow

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for delivering the annual planning and monthly forecasting cycle working with business stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives of the Avoca Group
• Responsible for delivering, flexing, and issuing front line targets to ensure Avoca achieve overall company objectives including Sales & Labour, margins, and overall profitability
• Working with Group Reporting systems, issue monthly P&L reports for each business unit including comparatives to plan/previous year/trend analysis
• Responsible for issuing weekly reports for Business units Sales and Labour finance reports and analysis to measure actual performance to plan/forecast to drive performance
• Development and maintenance of business unit scorecards to review financial/non-financial KPIs
• Support Business in assessing/reviewing potential new business opportunities including development of business models and return on investment
• Building partnerships and strong relationships with senior management teams providing financial support to commercial decision making
• Challenging current ways of working, driving efficiencies and cost savings wherever possible
• Role is responsible for collating the Inventory month end process and will drive automation and process improvements to automate the process
• Assisting with year-end audit, Inventory & other ad hoc finance requirements
• Process improvement and change management projects to ensure future productivity and performance objectives are met
• Other ad-hoc work as required including supporting various group wide projects

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant with 5+ years PQE
• FP&A role/similar role working with excel business models & weekly business reporting versus forecast/plan

Skills & Experience

• Excellent commercial acumen
• Ability to influence key decision makers
• Excellent commercial acumen
• Advanced Excel skills, MS Word, MS PowerPoint skills are essential.
• Proven track record of automation/change management in a reporting environment
• Financial/business modelling experience in a complex business environment
• Strong attention to detail to ensure completeness and accuracy of information, combined with a strategic mind - able to see the big picture
• Strong written communication and reporting ability with ability to communicate to stakeholders across various levels and functions
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate and present
• Self-motivated, proactive, ability to ensure tasks are finalised to strict deadlines.
• An ability to work on their own initiative, to deadlines, within a team environment
• Ability to work collaboratively within a global business environment
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced, innovative environment where the focus is on continuous improvement