Commercial Finance Manager

pladis Foods Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

pladis Foods Limited is seeking a strategic finance business partner in Greater London to support customer finance teams. The role involves developing Joint Business Plans, providing financial insights, and leading financial performance management.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in FMCG finance and possess strong analytical skills. A qualified accountant is required, and a passion for analytics and collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in FMCG Customer/Commercial Finance.
• Passion for business performance management & analytics.
• Ability to work optimally in changing roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Joint Business Plans.
• Provide leadership for financial performance in assigned areas.
• Partner with teams to deliver monthly financial insights.

Skills

FMCG Customer/Commercial Finance

Business performance management

Strong collaboration and communication

Advanced MS Excel

PowerPoint skills

Education

Qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA)

Job description

We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits. This role is a strategic finance business partner to the Customer Finance teams, providing robust financial insight, performance management and investment discipline to support customer strategy and growth.

What will this role achieve?

The UK & I business has ambitious growth plans, and this role sits within the Commercial Finance team, strengthening decision‑making, governance and value creation across customer strategies and investments.

Key deliverables

• Lead the development of Joint Business Plans translating customer strategy into robust, value‑focused financial plans that link investment levels to sustainable growth outcomes.
• Partner with customer teams on Annual Planning and AOP development, shaping customer financial plans, investment choices and volume assumptions to support delivery of annual targets.
• Provide end‑to‑end financial performance leadership for assigned customer areas, analysing results from volume through to profitability, identifying key risks and opportunities, and recommending corrective or growth‑driving actions.
• Own the financial control environment for business‑partnered customer teams, ensuring strong governance across pricing, trade investment and customer terms, with disciplined balance sheet management.
• Ensure financial accuracy, compliance and rigour, including prevention of pricing claims and proactive management of unsolicited deductions in partnership with central finance teams.
• Partner with Customer Leads to deliver the monthly financial cycle, providing clear insight into performance versus last cycle, AOP and prior year, and explaining key performance drivers.
• Lead the tracking and review of Risks & Opportunities, ensuring transparency, timely escalation and clear action plans to protect delivery.
• Work with customer teams to identify, evaluate and prioritise in‑year growth opportunities, supporting commercial decision‑making with robust financial insight.

Required experience and qualifications

• Proven experience in FMCG Customer/Commercial Finance.
• Passion for business performance management & analytics.
• Strong collaborator and communicator with the ability to influence across the organisation.
• Ability to work optimally in an ambiguous and changing role and drive agenda forward.
• Self‑confidence and skill to challenge the Customer team.
• Strong financial and commercial competence built over a minimum of 5 years.
• Advanced MS Excel, PowerPoint and the ability to turn raw data into powerful insights.
• Qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA).

OUR WINNING TRAITS AND BEHAVIOURS

• Purpose‑Led – Energised by our promise to deliver happiness to the world with every bite.
• Agile – Ever evolving, never satisfied and never standing still.
• Collaborative – Willing to work with others for mutual success.
• Resilient – Quick to adapt to change, fast learner and persistent in the face of setbacks.
• Positive – Self‑motivated, optimistic, adventurous and inspiring.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion is central to everything we do and is reflected across our business. We’re an equal opportunities employer and believe in encouraging an inclusive environment where we celebrate diversity of thinking and respect everyone’s distinctive qualities and perspectives. Individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.