Finance Business Partner - Stores & People

Dunelm; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading homewares retailer in Leicester is seeking a Finance Business Partner to support store operations and contribute to financial reporting and forecasting. This role requires a driven individual with a finance qualification and strong communication skills, ready to engage in a transformative finance environment. Opportunities for growth and impactful contributions await in this vibrant team.

Benefits

Wellbeing support

24/7 Virtual GP access

Hybrid working options

Qualifications

• Driven and proactive individual looking to grow in retail.
• Commercially minded to support growth and profitability.
• Ability to condense complex information.

Responsibilities

• Support and challenge business stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate month-end closure.
• Forecasting and budgeting management.
• Regular store profitability reporting.
• Support on ad hoc projects.

Skills

Strong organisational skills

Verbal and written communication

Excel proficiency

Ability to build relationships

Education

Finance qualification

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

Overview

Home. There's no place like it. And there's no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that's what we do. We're the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And the caring and supportive culture we've created makes this a place you'll feel right at home too.

We are the UK's Number One homewares retailer offering c85,000 products building a consumer-focused total retail business that delights customers through our multichannel operation.

We are ambitious in our plans to drive further expansion of the business to more customers, shopping more frequently, with more choice, enhanced digital and physical services, and new capabilities to innovate and operate at pace in a fast-changing landscape. In developing the business for the long-term benefit of our customers, we are investing in our supply chain, stores and technology to improve the customer proposition as we move forward.

About our Finance team

Our Finance team sits at the heart of strategic decision-making, working hand-in-hand with trading and operational teams to drive commercial success. We don't just manage the numbers - we make them meaningful. From customer transactions and procurement to financial reporting, we deliver insights that uncover trends, spot opportunities, and highlight risks.

With around 90 colleagues across UK and Ireland Group Finance, we offer a unique mix of breadth and depth. Our lean structure means every role is varied and impactful, while our scale gives you plenty of room to grow and explore different areas of finance.

We're not just supporting the business - we're shaping it. As Finance evolves, we're moving beyond transactional tasks to become strategic thinkers. Our team is transforming into proactive, cross-functional advisors who use data to tell compelling stories and influence decisions.

Right now, we're embarking on a major finance transformation, including the implementation of SAP S/4HANA. This is a pivotal moment to modernise systems, enhance processes, and redefine how Finance operates across the business.

If you're passionate about making a difference, eager to grow, and ready to help shape the future of Finance, we'd love to hear from you.

Department Overview

The Business Finance Team is a team of roughly forty finance professionals, who deliver key outcomes that support Dunelm's operations, to:

• Produce timely and accurate weekly and monthly reports and insight to inform trading and operational control and decision making
• Set targets (in conjunction with business) and provide independent view of forecasts and trends
• Hold business to account to deliver to targets and manage risks and opportunities
• Support and challenge tactical and strategic decision making, including financial appraisal (and post investment appraisal)
• Agitate for optimising profitability and return on investment, and for best use of our resources
• Use our unique viewpoint to join things up, 'unblock' issues and put simple structure around priorities and actions

What you'll be doing

As Finance Business Partner for Stores, you are responsible for providing support and challenge to your business partners in line with the Business Finance purpose, whilst also ensuring that all requirements for the Dunelm Finance function are delivered.

You will directly partner business stakeholders on specific projects, initiatives and focus areas, as well as supporting in all 'business as usual' activities.

• Supporting onweekly trade reporting for Stores to ensure stakeholders are fully informed on performance.
• Ensure the month-end is closed accurately, timely and in accordance with policies as set by Financial Reporting (P&L and balance sheet), either performing yourself or supporting analysts through the process. Reporting key performance headlines in a clear and concise way to stakeholders both inside and outside of finance, being able to field challenge and queries.
• Forecasting and budgeting for areas under your control as well as managing monthly risks and opportunities between stakeholders and finance.
• Take ownership of regular store profitability reporting, being able to highlight key areas of focus to drive value-add actions in meetings with senior stakeholders.
• Challenge, support and partner the Leadership teams in the functions you support - acting as 'critical friend'
• Support onadhoc projectswithin the Stores space which may involve partnering with Procurement, Store operations or other areas of the business.
• Line management or coaching and development of Analysts, including those not directly reporting to you

What we'll look for in you

• Driven, proactive and ambitious individual who wants to grow their career in the retail space with Dunelm.
• Commercially minded, with a genuine drive to make a difference and support Dunelm to achieve its growth and profitability targets.
• Strong organisational skills and an ability to prioritise.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, able to condense complex information into clear messages.
• A good relationship builder, building trust with key stakeholders.
• Finance qualified.
• Strong Excel skills, able to use various sources of information to draw trends and highlight risks or areas of focus.

D&I statement

Dunelm is committed to becoming an inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Our commitment to you

Accessibility allows everyone to have an equitable chance when applying and showing off their potential, which helps us create a more inclusive and diverse team that brings fresh ideas and perspectives.

Should you need it, we have an accessibility tool available in the top menu to support you when you're completing your application. If you require any other reasonable adjustments during the application and assessment process, reach out to your recruitment partner.

Work your way

We want our colleagues to feel at home wherever they work, so that they are comfortable and can be their best selves. In addition, we want everyone to feel connected to the business, our strategy and the teams they work with.

Where hybrid working is applicable, colleagues need to strike the right balance to fulfil both of these important factors. You will find the right mix of being at home, in the office & out in the business, bearing in mind business needs, job role and level of responsibility.

Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here

From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area - and at every stage - of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Taking opportunities

Meet Amanda, our Chief Stores and People Director, who shares how she feels empowered to take opportunities every day, why Dunelm is her happy place, and why it's a really exciting time to join us.

Of course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with.

At Dunelm, we love every aspect of the design process. We're continually researching new developments in packaging, materials and production methods, tapping into new data insights and keeping track of changing lifestyle trends. We're hugely collaborative in the way we work. Together, the teams here have a direct impact on our success, creating amazing products that drive sales and delight our customers, as well as providing direction for our wide and varied range of brands.

Where you'll be working

Here is where you'll be based, whether that's an office, or store or one of our sites.

Watermead Business Park, Pontylue Way, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE7 1AD