Head Of Finance - Operations & Distribution (12 Months Maternity Cover)

We are looking to recruit a Head of Finance in our Operations and Distribution space to cover Maternity for 12 months, to lead and influence insightful financial reporting, planning, analysis, cost control and investment appraisal across store operations and distribution to enable effective and informed decision making to maximise profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning and Forecasting

• Provide and lead the delivery of financial planning activity (budgets, forecasts) for stores, distribution and service cost lines with relevant stakeholders, ensuring alignment and rigour together with driving engagement and accountability across the organisation.

• Liaise with other areas of Finance (e.g. fixed assets / IFRS 16) to ensure alignment of assumptions

• Driving an efficient planning process with clear timetables, holding stakeholders to account and  challenging the inputs and outputs

• Support, challenge, and drive the stakeholders to achieve realistic, yet challenging targets

Reporting

• Deliver focused and timely weekly, periodic and ad hoc financial reporting (automated where possible) and analysis to deliver insight into the stores business performance across sales/margin and the store operational cost base to enable effective and informed decision making.  

• Develop and improve insightful, timely periodic reporting for costs across relevant P&L lines - including management packs for the relevant leadership teams 

• Responsible for Store P&L reporting and provide input and explanations into the impairment and dilapidations calculations

Business Partner for Store Operations and Distribution

• Lead the team to business partner with senior stakeholders across stores and distribution

• Provide support, robust challenge and insight to the senior leadership team

• Key member of the Wickes Property Meeting (store appraisals), Stores Leadership team and Distribution Leadership team

• Business partner directly with the Stores Director, Property Director and Distribution Director

Financial Appraisals and PIRs

• Develop and deliver financial investment appraisal and post implementation reviews to assure appropriate allocation of investment capital/revenue for store operational areas (e.g. refit, new store opportunities), the distribution and service (e.g. contact centre, installations)

Controls

• Ensure that appropriate financial controls and policies are followed in all aspects of accounting for the store operational areas of the business, property, distribution and service. 

• Drive, own and develop the financial processes and controls and ensure the team’s focus on controls

Team Leadership. 

• Leadership, recruitment and development of a team of financial professionals ensuring appropriate resourcing,  skillset and structure to deliver effective business support

• Develop PDRs for direct reports and ensure effective team goals that align with the wider finance teams targets

• Support and coach team members so they can develop to their full potential and the team can deliver its stated goals

What are we looking for:

• Degree level educated with recognised Accountancy qualification

• 7+ years post qualification

• Commercial and strategically aware.

• Excellent analytical capability with ability to understand/leverage both detail and big picture.

• Ability to strongly influence and challenge in a constructive / engaging manner at Board and Senior Management level.

• Team leadership and development.

• Retail industry knowledge.

• Sound understanding of accounting/control and investment appraisal principles. 

What can we offer you:

You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us 

We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes 

• Competitive bonus

• Save-as-you-earn scheme

• Private Medical and Life Assurance

• Contributory pension scheme

• Colleague discount 

• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance

Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. 

By giving you the support you need to do well at work, and the flexibility to make life work for you. We are giving you a career that doesn’t put your life on hold. Where you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day.

We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture.  We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working. 

About Us: 

Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market.  With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.  

But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.