Finance Manager - AME Operations

British American Tobacco; Southampton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global business in Southampton is seeking a Finance Manager for AME Operations. This role focuses on optimising inventory and working capital while providing strategic insights to support decision-making. The ideal candidate will have experience in FMCG, strong analytical abilities, and relevant financial qualifications. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package are offered.

Benefits

Market leading performance bonus

Diverse health plans

Flexible holiday plan

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and capability to simplify complex information.
• Ability to collaborate with both financial and non-financial stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive inventory optimisation and working capital improvements.
• Provide business partnering support and drive operational improvements.
• Prepare stock build proposals and ensure full governance.

Skills

Experience in global FMCG or similar dynamic operating environment

Understanding of manufacturing and supply chain processes

Ability to handle large data sets

Excellent analytical skills

Knowledge of finance tools and systems (i.e., SAP / BI / BPC)

Excellent social skills

Degree with relevant professional qualification (CA / ACCA / CIMA / CPA / MBA)

Job description

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

BAT UK is looking for a Finance Manager – AME Operations

Job Type: Permanent

Function: Finance

Salary Range: Competitive salary package + excellent benefits + market leading bonus

Location: Southampton, United Kingdom

Role Summary

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?

The jobholder is Operations Finance Manager for AME Region. The jobholder works in partnership with SNO, AME Regional team, DRBU finance and AME factories to operate:

• Drive FG inventory optimisation and working capital improvements.
• Minimise materials inventory write offs, by ensuring operational improvements and governance.
• Handle and coordinate primary logistics cost forecast and efficient savings delivery.

As business partner to SNO and Logistics the role needs to bring strategic and technical insight as well as financial expertise to support business decision making (by validating and challenging operational cases and decisions) and to deliver accurate business forecasts.

Reports to: Senior Finance Manager – AME Operations

Number of Direct Reports: 0

Core Relationships:

• Senior Operational Finance Stakeholders
• Regional Head of SNO
• Regional and DRBU logistics partners
• Factory Finance
• Global functional Finance teams
• BAT Exports finance team and GBS service lines

Geographic Scope: Regional and BAT Exports

Travel Required: No

Accountabilities

Regional responsibilities

• Provide business partnering support to SNO function by bringing strategic and technical insights, challenging business decisions to drive efficiencies.
• Drive operational improvements to ensure materials inventory write offs are minimised, and mitigation options identified. Provide business updates and critical issues.
• Drive reductions in FG inventory by ongoing review of durations reporting and monthly DRBU drumbeat. Support ASPMs to identify inventory optimisation opportunities and ongoing progress tracking.
• Provide accurate financial information to ensure that inventory SHP changes are only taken when full financial impacts are understood.
• Prepare Operations driven stock build proposals and ensure full governance.
• Provide primary logistics cost reporting, understanding key cost drivers and inflationary pressures.
• Support delivery of Logistics efficiency savings targets.
• Proactively review processes and internal controls and recommend/implement changes to drive improvements in cost management and Governance.

BAT Exports

• Ensure obsolete and slow-moving inventory risks are identified and accounted for.
• Monthly engagements with factories to ensure SLOBs destruction process is carried out promptly, following required governance.
• Review Leaf inventory levels and provide cashflow forecast.
• NCL cost centre reporting including RPC Artwork & Development costs and all relevant recharges.
• Ensure accurate application of SOX controls and reporting standards / processes are adopted; provide mentorship and advice where required.

Experience, skills, knowledge

• Experience in global FMCG or similar dynamic operating environment.
• Understanding of manufacturing and supply chain processes.
• Ability to handle large data sets, quickly see patterns and important features.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Understanding and knowledge of relevant finance tools and systems (i.e., SAP / BI / BPC).
• Excellent social skills and ability to work optimally with both financial and non-financial senior partners.
• Ability to simplify sophisticated situations and synthesise, communicate and present complex information.
• Degree educated with relevant professional qualification (CA / ACCA / CIMA / CPA / MBA).

BELONGING, ACHIEVING, TOGETHER

Collaboration, diversity and teamwork underpin everything we do here at BAT. We know that collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals. Come bring your difference!

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives.
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills.
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.

WHY JOIN BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.

We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture.

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.