Finance Manager, Inventory CoE

Burberry; East Midlands, Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global luxury fashion business is seeking a Finance Manager for their Inventory Centre of Excellence. Based in Leeds, you will oversee inventory accounting processes, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. This role requires a professional accounting qualification and a minimum of 5 years’ experience. You will lead a team of accountants, drive continuous improvements, and engage with stakeholders across finance and operations. Strong Excel and inventory accounting knowledge are essential. This position offers a dynamic work environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience, including at least 1-year post-qualification.
• Strong Excel skills; Power BI experience is desirable.
• Experience in fast-paced environments with changing demands.

Responsibilities

• Manage a high-performing team and ensure skills are prioritized effectively.
• Ensure compliance with Group Policies and maintain internal controls.
• Oversee month-end close activities related to inventory accounts.

Skills

Leadership and stakeholder management skills

Analytical capabilities

Problem-solving capabilities

Technical knowledge of inventory accounting

Proven change delivery skills

Education

Professional accounting qualification e.g. ACA, CA, ACCA or CIMA

Tools

SAP

Power BI

Excel

Job description

INTRODUCTION

At Burberry, we believe creativity opens spaces. Our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers and our communities. This is the core belief that has guided Burberry since it was founded in 1856 and is central to how we operate as a company today.

We aim to provide an environment for creative minds from different backgrounds to thrive, bringing a wide range of skills and experiences to everything we do. As a purposeful, values‑driven brand, we are committed to being a force for good in the world as well, creating the next generation of sustainable luxury for customers, driving industry change and championing our communities.

JOB PURPOSE

Burberry plc, a global multi‑billion‑pound luxury fashion business, is seeking to hire a Finance Manager for the Inventory Centre of Excellence (CoE) team. The role is part of the Burberry Business Services (BBS) organisation based in Leeds, United Kingdom.

The Manager will be responsible for delivering high quality financial information, compliance and controls. This pivotal role will oversee the full cycle of inventory accounting processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in financial reporting and controls related to inventory. Beyond strong technical accounting expertise, this role demands effective leadership skills to manage a team of accountants at various levels. The manager will also drive continuous process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Delivery

• Manage a high‑performing team, ensuring they have the necessary skills and capacity to effectively prioritise key activities across multiple entities.
• Ensure compliance with Group Policies and maintain the operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting.
• Oversee month‑end and year‑end close activities related to inventory accounts, including reconciliations, journal entries, and reporting.
• Lead the forecasting and budgeting processes for inventory‑related financials, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and timelines.
• Act as Intercompany Global Process Owner (GPO), driving standardisation, process improvements, and governance across intercompany transactions.
• Coordinate with external auditors during audit cycles and provide required inventory accounting documentation and explanations.

Leadership

• Lead a high performing team through ensuring there is the necessary clarity across the team around roles, objectives, timescales, priority of deliverables and expected quality of outputs to meet and exceed stakeholder expectations.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across finance and operations, influencing decisions and fostering collaboration.
• Act as deputy for the Senior Manager, Inventory CoE, when required.
• Promote a culture of continuous development and improvement within the team.

Continuous improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise inventory accounting processes, controls, and systems.
• Effectively manage change by identifying opportunities aligned with objectives, facilitating implementation, monitoring and improving results.
• Encourage issue identification and implement corrective and preventive action plans to resolve problems and improve processes.
• Proactively seek feedback from fellow BBS team members and other internal and external customers and use this to inform future delivery of services.
• Work collaboratively with other functions to identify and leverage potential upgrades or consolidate systems and processes.

PERSONAL PROFILE

Qualifications & Experience

• Professional accounting qualification is required e.g. ACA, CA, ACCA or CIMA.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience, including at least 1‑year post‑qualification.
• SAP training and certification is desirable. Experience of BPC is an advantage.
• Strong Excel skills; Power BI experience is an advantage.
• Strong technical knowledge of inventory accounting and financial controls.
• Proven track record of managing teams and delivering continuous improvement.
• Experience working in fast‑paced environments with changing business demands.

Skills

• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Comfortable operating in fast‑paced environments with changing priorities.
• Affinity for technology and process automation.
• Business partnering with non‑finance individuals and teams.
• Proven track record of delivering change and driving improvements.
• At least 7 years post university experience (as a guide) with proven Management experience.

FOOTER

Burberry is an Equal Opportunities Employer and as such, treats all applications equally and recruits purely on the basis of skills and experience.