FP&A Analyst

Reporting to the Head of Investor Relations and Financial Planning and Analysis ("FP&A"), the FP&A analyst is an integral role in the Group FP&A team, providing analysis, challenge and commercial support to the wider business. The role will be expected to help in driving the agenda and set the tone for the wider finance teams culture.

The role is a key part of the global finance team, and needs to effectively influence both across the organisation and upwards to key contacts and stakeholders which include but is not limited to members of the Group Executive Committee ("GEC"), the Finance Leadership Team ("FLT") and regional operational and finance teams.

This role will also support the development of a global FP&A function that can provide quality commercial insight and analysis on all levels; challenging and supporting the business dialogue, tools and training.

Responsibilities:

Reporting & Controls

• Analyse, challenge and interpret the month end results to provide detailed analysis and insight into variances in sales, margin, overhead and working capital.
• Lead the production of a monthly financial reporting pack for group management, working closely with the Head of IR and FP&A to steer the messaging and content of the regional and global reporting packs to ensure the insights and actions are focused, accurate and concise.
• Develop value adding reporting and review processes and procedures to ensure efficiency and timeliness of information and deliver additional insight.
• Contribute to developing a best-in-class finance function globally through data alignment, more standardisation, increased levels of insight and better processes.
• Identify opportunities and risks, and propose actions to improve profitability.
• Identify process improvements and ensure they are driven through to completion.
• Support Risk Management & Compliance, ensuring alignment with Group policies.

Forecasting & Planning

• Support the delivery of the forecast process, ensuring a rigorous, insightful output working closely with the GEC and Head of IR / FP&A.
• Ensuring numbers are pressure tested and financial integrity of the numbers remains strong.
• Maintaining a perspective of external market expectations and macro-economic factors, that may influence internal decision making and trends.
• Drive consistency in region forecasting process, and lead the development of value-add, insightful management information packs.

Business Partnering

• Support projects to drive growth, improve profitability and strengthen controls.
• Build relationships and understand the commercial aspects of the business to become a key finance point of contact.
• Support the engagement of the global finance function through cross-feeding best-practice, training & mentoring and enhance collaboration across the Group.
• Improve business partnering tools and working practices across the finance teams in the region e.g. by sharing of best practice, coaching individuals or teams, sharing success stories.
• Work with other departments to ensure reporting follows the principle 'there is only one version of the truth' in terms of metrics meaning the same no matter which department is analysing/reporting.
• Drive the development of consistent, insightful and automated reporting and analysis across the Group.
• On an ad-hoc basis, support M&A, working on acquisition business cases alongside the Head of Financial Projects Support with integration and performance tracking of acquired businesses as required.
• Any other duties as required from time to time by the Head of IR and FP&A, consistent with the skills, experience and competency of the job-holder.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent with a minimum of 3 years working experience.
• Experience working within a business facing environment as well as sound commercial awareness.
• The ability to convey information and data to non-financial individuals, to provide value adding financial support, challenge and analysis, and translate commercial information into financial strategy.
• Hands on approach, ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external parties.
• Experience of working with stakeholders of differing levels of seniority up to and including directors.
• Be comfortable operating in a management environment, which is open and honest, lean, dynamic and challenging.
• Ability to demonstrate Influencing skills across colleagues of differing levels, both internal & external to finance.
• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously. Proactive in identifying areas of improvement and working on own initiative.
• Highly organised / structured approach, with the ability to co-ordinate a large number tasks simultaneously.
• Highly pragmatic - ability to use process / structure appropriately to achieve high quality results in required timescale.
• Advanced Excel skills to enable manipulation of multiple data sources to deliver detailed analytic.
• Good PowerPoint and presenting skills, comfortable presenting to, and receiving challenge from, senior management.
• Proficiency with IBM COGNOS Controller and TM1. (desirable)
• Prior experience in a manufacturing company. (desirable)
• Willingness to travel (desirable)
• Prior experience working in a sizeable multi-currency, matrix type organisation. (desirable)

What we offer:

• Competitive Salary
• Discretionary Annual Bonus
• Up to 5% matched pension contribution
• 4x annual salary life assurance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
• Employee discounts through Edenred
• Eyecare Vouchers
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

This is a hybrid role with expectation of working in in our Kidlington office 2-3 days per week.

Essentra plc is a FTSE 250 company and a leading global provider of essential components and solutions, focusing on the manufacture and distribution of plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal items.

Headquartered in the UK, Essentra's global network extends to 28 countries worldwide and includes over 3,000 employees, 14 manufacturing facilities, 24 distribution centres and 33 sales & service centres serving c.74,000 customers with a rapid supply of low cost but essential products for a variety of applications in industries such as equipment manufacturing, automotive, fabrication, electronics, medical and renewable energy.

At Essentra we are ideally looking for individuals who enjoy working as part of a close team, are passionate about what they do and who strive to make a difference. We are always looking to better ourselves and are keen to recruit individuals who like to innovate and improve processes.

As part of our recruitment process you will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. Documentary evidence will be requested at interview.