Group FP&A Manager

We are PZ Cussons. Our purpose is For everyone, for life, for good.

Sustainability and the wellbeing of people, families and communities everywhere are at the heart of everything that we do.

Since our founding in 1884, we have been creating products to delight, care for and nourish consumers. Across our core categories of Hygiene, Baby and Beauty, our trusted and well-loved brands include Carex, Cussons Baby, Sanctuary Spa and St. Tropez.

Position Snapshot

• Job Title: FP&A Manager
• Location: Manchester
• Contract type: Permanent

Who Are We:

PZ Cussons is a global, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, with office locations in the UK, US, Australia, Africa and Asia. Throughout our 135-year history, we have successfully adapted and evolved to the constantly changing consumer, market, and economic environments. Our diverse portfolio of brands can be found across four major categories: Personal Care, Beauty, Food & Nutrition, Home Care and Electricals.

We have a real passion for our employees, our consumers and our brands and we strive on creating moments of pleasure for everybody, every day. You will recognise some of our renowned, market-leading household names such as Carex, Childs Farm, Original Source and Imperial Leather.

If you want to join a business with dynamic, fast-paced working environment and a collaborative atmosphere whilst working flexibly but with the opportunity to collaborate in our stunning, recently refurbished offices, then this could be the right role for you.

The Role:

The main purpose of this role is to manage the overall FP&A processes and reporting to ELT & Board, particularly focusing on Balance Sheet and Cash Flow forecasting and reporting. Working with the business units and group functions to bring insightful analysis to drive performance and deliver the strategy.

The role forms part of the Group Financial Planning & Analysis team, itself a subset of the Group Finance team.

The role requires a candidate who is strong at excel modelling and working with large data sets.  The successful candidate must have a proven track record of improving processes and process automation.

Key Responsibilities

Monthly Actual Consolidation and Reporting

• Consolidate the Group’s Cash Flow performance
• Critically review all aspects of the consolidated management accounts and information submitted by business units, identifying risks / opportunities with comparison to latest forecast as well as identifying items that need to be reviewed through the forecast cycle
• Work collaboratively with Group Reporting team to perform key checks that ensure the accuracy & integrity of financial data
• Work collaboratively with the FP&A Systems Manager & Business Units to ensure the global consolidation process and data loads are accurately completed
• Responsible for the preparation of the Actual Financial Reporting pack for the ELT review including insightful analysis and commentary
• Continually review and improve the monthly performance reports (MPR) packs with the business units

Integrated Business Planning / LE Process

• Responsible for the financial consolidation of the monthly rolling forecast, mainly covering Balance Sheet & Cashflow but also working in collaboration with the wider FP&A team to ensure all aspects of the financial planning cycle are executed to a high standard
• Collaborate with business unit FDs and their teams to review and challenge submitted forecasts based on detailed analysis of the data in BPC / BI and commentary provided
• Work collaboratively with the FP&A Systems Manager & Business Units to ensure the global forecast process and data loads are accurately completed
• Responsible for the preparation of the core financial information for the ELT including insightful analysis and commentary
• Continually review and improve the monthly finance reports (FPR) packs with the business unit
• Support the Head of Group FP&A in leading the Community of Practice (CoP) to continually improve the process and information provided in order to drive informed business decision making

Budget / Annual Planning

• As required, lead/support the annual Budget process with the Business Unit FDs and Group Finance functions, managing the timetable and ensuring the timeliness & quality of submissions
• Work collaboratively with the FP&A Systems Manager, FP&A and other Group Finance colleagues and Business Units to ensure the global forecast process and data loads are accurately completed
• Lead in-depth review of the information submitted by the business units; primarily profit and loss, balance sheet, working capital, cash flow but also supplementary analysis including key assumptions, category/brand, RGM activities, supply chain information. Collaborate with end Business Unit FDs and their teams to review and challenge submissions, including the identification of further risks/opportunities.
• Responsible for the preparation of the core financial information for the ELT including insightful analysis and commentary, as well as subsequent pack for presentation to PLC board.

Fp&A Projects

• Support the assessment of potential acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures with the Corporate Finance team
• Responsible for the integration of successful acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures into planning & reporting cycles with the FP&A Systems Manager
• Perform ad hoc analysis tor other activities as required by the Head of Group FP&A

Other Financial Information

• As required, lead/support IR data pack preparation and provide information & analysis for external reporting
• As required, provide Group-level information to support other functions
• If required, support Group costs analysis and controls
• Support Group systems and process development

Experience

• Fully qualified accountant, with an accounting qualification and previous FP&A experience in FMCG
• Balance Sheet and Cash Flow forecasting experience
• Strong business acumen and commercial awareness combined with robust numerical and analytical skills
• Experience of building/improving financial models using large data sets
• Experience of working effectively in cross functional and international teams
• Experience and understanding of financial systems / software and planning tools is a prerequisite; experience of SAP/BW/BPC would be an advantage
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills

Equal Opportunities:

At PZ Cussons, we value diversity and make sure everyone feels included. We want our team to reflect society and our global customers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and your unique perspective helps us develop brands and create new products for our consumers. 

If you need extra support during this process, please inform us so that we can accommodate your needs appropriately. It is important to us that all candidates feel recognised and have a good experience with PZ Cussons as part of our commitment to inclusivity. 

PZ Cussons is big enough to make your mark, small enough to make it yours. Apply to join us!