Senior Specialist Financial Planning & Analysis FPA

Client of Jordan Impact

Duties and responsibilities

• Budgeting and forecasting: Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes for the retail business unit. This involves collaborating with various department heads to gather data and build financial models.
• Performance and variance analysis : Analyze financial results, focusing on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales, revenue, and profit margins, and compare actual performance against budgets and forecasts.
• Financial modeling : Develop and maintain complex financial models to support strategic initiatives, evaluate business performance, and conduct scenario planning for investment decisions.
• Business partnering : Act as a financial partner to the retail operations team, providing them with insights and actionable information to help them understand their business and make better-informed decisions.
• Reporting and presentations : Prepare and present regular financial reports, dashboards, and presentations for senior management and executives, translating complex financial data into a clear and compelling narrative.
• Capital expenditure analysis : Assist with the capital planning process, which includes preparing capital request forms, forecasting monthly expenditures, and assessing new store profitability.
• Cost and expense management: Monitor costs and identify opportunities for expense optimization and improvement. For retail, this can include analyzing store-specific profit and loss (P&L) statements to find cost reductions.
• Process improvement: Drive automation and continuous improvement in FP&A processes to increase accuracy and efficiency.
• Compliance : Ensure that all financial reporting and accounting practices are in compliance with corporate policies and accounting standards.

Required skills and qualifications

• Education : A bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required. A master's degree or professional certifications like a CPA, CMA, or CFA are often preferred.
• Experience : Typically, 4 to 6 years of progressive experience in FP&A or a related finance role is expected, with experience in the retail sector being highly advantageous.
• Analytical skills : A strong analytical mindset is essential for evaluating complex financial data, identifying trends, and creating valuable insights.
• Technical skills: High proficiency in financial modeling and Microsoft Excel is a must. Expertise with ERP systems (such as SAP), business intelligence tools (like Power BI or Tableau), and financial planning software is also highly desirable.
• Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary to effectively present financial information and strategic recommendations to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Business acumen: The ability to understand the broader business context and commercial finance skills, such as creating business cases and analyzing KPIs, are crucial.
• Other key competencies : The role requires strong attention to detail, a proactive and results-oriented mindset, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced retail environment.