Commercial Finance Manager

James Cropper PLC; Kendal; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

James Cropper PLC is seeking a commercially focused Finance Manager to own revenue reporting, budgeting and forecasting. You will turn complex data into clear commercial insight, supporting stakeholders and leadership with accurate performance insights and robust planning.

You will combine accounting knowledge with commercial curiosity, identify drivers behind performance, and ensure data integrity across processes and systems. A proactive, collaborative approach is essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with manufacturing experience.
• Ability to interpret complex financial information into clear business insight.
• Experience budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain robust processes for gross-to-net revenue reporting.
• Lead the revenue budget, in-year forecasting and future-year planning.
• Produce high-quality revenue reporting with clear commentary and visualisation.
• Provide insights into trends, risks, opportunities and improvements.
• Support monthly financial submissions for senior leadership.
• Ensure data integrity and reconciliation of CODA submissions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure plans are challenged and understood.
• Support balance sheet reconciliations and ad hoc projects.

Skills

Commercial finance

Analytical skills

Interpreting financial data

Attention to detail

Budgeting & forecasting

Influencing & relationships

Stakeholder management

Proactive & curious

Planning & organizational

Education

ACCA/CIMA qualified

Tools

CODA

Job description

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused finance professional to join the James Cropper Group Finance function. Working across our Paper and Advanced Materials businesses, you will turn complex financial data into clear commercial insight, helping stakeholders understand performance, strengthen forecasting and make informed decisions.

As Commercial Finance Manager, you will take ownership of revenue reporting, budgeting and forecasting, providing accurate and meaningful information to finance, business and senior leadership stakeholders.

You will combine strong accounting knowledge with commercial curiosity, looking beyond the numbers to identify the key drivers behind performance, highlight risks and opportunities, and support effective business planning and commercial negotiations.

What you’ll be doing

• Developing and maintaining robust processes to ensure gross-to-net revenue information is accurate, complete and reported within agreed monthly timescales.
• Producing high-quality revenue reporting, including clear commentary, analytical information and effective data visualisation.
• Supporting the preparation of monthly financial performance submissions for business leadership.
• Providing meaningful insight into trends, performance drivers, risks, opportunities and areas for improvement.
• Leading the revenue budget, in-year forecasting and future-year planning processes.
• Working closely with stakeholders to ensure financial plans are appropriately challenging, achievable and understood across the business.
• Loading budget, forecast and future-year revenue data into CODA, ensuring data integrity and reconciliation to approved submissions.
• Supporting monthly balance sheet reconciliations and ensuring reconciling items are investigated and resolved promptly.
• Working alongside the transactions team to ensure credit limits and insurance arrangements are in place, with complaints and credits accurately reflected.
• Supporting ad hoc projects, financial investigations, deep-dive analysis and audit activity.
• Ensuring appropriate financial and internal controls are embedded across all areas of responsibility.
• Identifying opportunities to improve finance and business processes, reporting consistency and the quality of management information.
• Supporting the development of colleagues and contributing positively to wider Group Finance activities.

What we’re looking for

You will be a qualified accountant, ideally ACCA or CIMA, with strong technical accounting knowledge and experience within a manufacturing environment.

You will also bring:

• Commercial finance experience gained within manufacturing.
• The ability to quickly interpret complex financial information and translate it into clear, concise and meaningful business insight.
• Strong analytical skills, with the confidence to investigate anomalies and challenge the drivers behind financial performance.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to delivering accurate, timely and complete reporting.
• Experience of budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.
• Strong influencing and relationship-building skills.
• The confidence to work with finance and non-finance stakeholders, adapting your communication style to suit different audiences.
• A proactive and professionally curious approach, with a genuine interest in understanding how the business operates.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage key activities through to completion.
• A collaborative, positive and resourceful working style.
• High levels of integrity and respect for confidential and commercially sensitive information.

This role offers the opportunity to influence commercial decision making across important areas of the James Cropper Group. You will work closely with stakeholders across finance and the wider business, bringing greater clarity to financial performance and helping to shape reliable, commercially focused plans.

If you are a qualified finance professional who enjoys getting behind the numbers, improving processes and turning financial information into practical business insight, we would be pleased to hear from you.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier should we identify a suitable candidate or receive a sufficient volume of applications.

Our job applicant privacy policy is available to view here .

The Company

James Cropper are global market leaders in advanced materials and paper products. Led by the Cropper family for six generations, we have an international workforce and an operational reach in over 50 countries.
Established in 1845, we manufacture paper, packaging and advanced materials incorporating pioneering non-wovens and electrochemical coatings.
We operate across multiple markets from luxury retail to renewable energy. Renowned globally for service, capability, pioneering and multi award-winning commitment to the highest standards of sustainability.

Our Values

Forward Thinking

• We are proud of our heritage but not stuck in the past
• We ask questions that matter and are always open to new ideas
• We are inventors, not afraid to experiment
• We anticipate our customers' needs and think about what's best for the long-term
• As pioneers, we forge new paths ahead

Responsible

• We face reality and own our actions
• We believe in using materials resourcefully
• We are tenacious and committed to delivering quality products and service to our customers
• We are guardians of this business for future generations

Caring

• Family and community is at the heart of our business and makes us stronger
• We treat each other how we would like to be treated, and pull together when the going gets tough
• We care about each other’s wellbeing, our customers, suppliers and the planet we share

Learning & Development Programmes