A retail business in Milton Keynes are looking for a Finance Business Partner to join their commercial finance team. A retail business in Milton Keynes are looking for a Finance Business Partner to join their commercial finance team. The position will be responsible for partnering the Commercial Director and his team to support the delivery of the objectives, providing insight and challenge to drive performance with direction and support from the Commercial Finance Manager. Responsibilities include: Forecasting and reporting on business performance for Trading level Sales, Margin and Stock for trading categories Deliver timely day-to-day forecasting, analysis and performance commentary using insight and inputs from other teams within the business Act on decisions to close gaps in actual financial performance vs. target and collaborating with the category teams Track and understand the financial impact of action plans, and help drive these through to completion Deliver timely and accurate day-to-day reporting, planning, budgeting & forecasting activities with guidance from the Commercial Finance Manager Provide analytical support and reporting commentary to the Commercial teams to help make sound commercial business decisions and improve business performance Reporting, analysis and medium-term forecasts of sales, margin & wastage, and periodic analysis of balanced scorecard measures (e.g. balance sheet & customer metrics) Monitoring of performance and provision of regular insight into the drivers of performance highlighting opportunities to maximise profitable growth Support and challenge the commercial team in the development of robust, achievable but stretching financial budgetary targets, ensuring commercial ownership Monitor stock levels to ensure they are maintained at appropriate levels and at a reasonable valuation, and that returns are maximised from new, slow-moving or seasonal lines Undertake ad hoc analysis of the success of promotional/markdown activity; trials; seasonal activity or events; sub-brands; trading intensity; product/buyer profitability; capital investment etc. Final pricing, Sales and Margin Budgeting, Category Planning Evaluation of capital investment and/or new business initiatives including the financial ramifications, risks and opportunities, and that expenditure against capital projects is committed using the agreed approval processes Training and provision of tools to the trading teams to raise commercial awareness, financial acumen and improve decision-making Support business partnering teams to provide an end-to-end service to our stakeholders Attend and actively contribute to key meetings as required Responsible for managing relationships with relevant stakeholders Share relevant tools and lessons learnt with the Business Partnering community Candidate Profile Newly qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA OR ACA) Strong commercial acumen, curiosity beyond traditional finance boundaries and ability to understand key business drivers Ability to present complex information in a simplified manner Strong analytical skills, Excel & Access skills and attention to detail Experience managing, influencing and challenging a large and complex set of stakeholders, holding others accountable Experience in presenting to and communicating with senior Finance and non-Finance stakeholders Resilience (flexible and able to cope with time pressure, risk & ambiguity) Experience in a business-facing Finance role Experience in a large company environment Please apply or alternatively contact Harsa Abeelack on or email: for further information.