Head of Commercial Finance

As Head of Commercial Finance, you will lead a dynamic team providing strategic financial guidance and analysis to shape the future of iconic brands. This high-impact role offers a unique opportunity to partner with senior leadership and influence key business decisions in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

As a pivotal member of the Finance team, you will lead the Commercial Finance function for one of L'Oreal UKI's Divisions, strategically partnering with the Sales teams. Reporting directly to the Finance Director for the Division, you will work closely with key senior stakeholders across the business to drive performance against our growth and profitability objectives as well as support strategic decision-making. The role leads a team of 5 in Commercial Finance and ensures the team's objectives are aligned with the Division's overarching functional goals.

• Performance Management: Establish KPIs and financial metrics to monitor, challenge and drive business and financial performance from the Commercial departments.
• Leadership: Lead and manage a Commercial Finance team, ensuring the delivery of influential and high-quality financial analysis, reporting, and insights across all commercial areas, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Investment Appraisal: Lead the evaluation, provide financial insights and make decisions on investment opportunities, commercial terms, sales initiatives, and other strategic commercial projects.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor to senior management, providing financial insights and recommendations to support decision-making across all commercial functions. This role is expected to effectively challenge performance at every level of the organisation.
• Change leadership: Observe and diagnose areas for required change and champion solutions to the Commercial functions and Divisional Leadership team. Develop and implement financial strategies to support the company's long-term growth objectives.
• Market and Competitor Awareness: Understand the retail markets and competitors to an expert level of detail.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate financial risks, ensuring robust financial controls and compliance with regulatory requirements in all commercial activities.
• Audit: Take the lead on any audit queries (internal and external) linked to Customer Allowances, Commercial Balance Sheet and stock management.

WHO YOU ARE

• Organised: You have a list and have strong planning and organisation skills - with the ability to re-prioritise as required.
• Measured: We want to track the success of our campaigns and initiatives so projects must be able to show ROI.
• Accurate: You work to a high degree of accuracy and meet deadlines.
• Entrepreneurial: Every day, you spot opportunities to drive growth for our brand and our customers, making sure the good name of our brand is always protected.
• Proactive and Open: L'Oreal is for the pioneers, which means embracing innovative ideas, challenges and change with positivity and a hands-on approach.
• Teams are the new heroes: There is no better feeling than being part of a successful and dynamic team, so even if you are Superman or Wonder Woman, you recognise that teams are the real heroes.
• Only Human: We all make mistakes, but you are not afraid of failure. You learn and show how the experience has helped the business learn for the future and benefitted all.
• Ambitious: You crave success, and L'Oréal is the ultimate place to achieve your dreams. We will support you all the way and make sure you have the support and development in place to help you succeed.
• You: You are real. And you are true to yourself. We cherish and celebrate diversity so you will feel right at home whoever you are.

Additionally:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master's degree is highly preferred.
• Professional Qualifications: A professional accounting qualification (e.g., CIMA, ACA, ACCA) is essential, with 5+ years of post-qualification experience.
• Experience: Proven experience in a senior Commercial Finance role, preferably within the cosmetics or consumer goods industry.
• Skills:
  • Strong analytical and financial modelling skills, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence and build relationships with senior stakeholders.
  • Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
  • Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and other financial software is preferred.
  • Deep understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes.

WHAT WE OFFER

Our industry-leading award-winning benefits package shows how much we value our people. We know they are at the heart of L'Oréal's success, so we offer a fair and competitive package to help you thrive.

Enjoy rewards like money-saving offers, free mortgage advice, share options and an enhanced pension plan. Love our brands? You will get up to 60% off iconic names like YSL, CeraVe, Armani, Kiehl's and Garnier! Because health matters, we offer private medical and dental insurance, discounted gym memberships, and onsite mental health support. We also provide enhanced family leave for all and up to 4 weeks of paid fertility leave, so you can prioritise what matters most.

Learning is in our DNA at L'Oréal. We will help you master your role, build skills, and access top-notch leadership programs and monthly expert talks. And there is lots more too!

WHO WE ARE

L'Oréal is present in 150 markets on five continents. For more than a century, L'Oréal has devoted itself solely to 'Create beauty that moves the world'; it is now the industry world leader with €29 billion consolidated sales. Together, we solve complex challenges at scale, while making sure we stay committed to making the world a more inclusive and a better place for everyone & our planet. Experience the excitement of agility to shape the future of beauty; where diversity and purpose come together to create meaningful impact.

HOW WE RECRUIT

At L'Oréal, we take pride in creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome, and their contributions are valued. When we recruit, hire, train, promote or engage in any other employment practice, we are committed to being an inclusive employer regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, socioeconomic status, medical condition or disability, or any other protected status. When we look for talent, we welcome difference - different backgrounds, experiences, personalities and perspectives. The beauty we find in our differences gives us the freedom to go beyond. That's the beauty of L'Oréal.