Senior Finance Manager - Financial Operations and Business Change

Dunelm; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading homewares retailer in the UK seeks a Finance Operations Manager to oversee finance operations and manage a team of 21. The role involves driving finance transformation initiatives, including the implementation of SAP S/4HANA, and requires strong stakeholder management and organisational skills. A finance qualification is essential. The position is based at Watermead Business Park in Leicester, offering a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Wellbeing programs

Hybrid working options

Accessibility support

Qualifications

• Proven line manager with coaching ability.
• Self-motivated, resilient, and proactive.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage finance operations including AR, AP, banking, and insurance.
• Lead and develop a team of 21.
• Drive finance transformation and implement new systems.

Skills

Team management

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Communication skills

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.

Department Overview

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.

What you'll be doing

• Own Fin ops - AR, AP, Banking and Insurance
• Team management of 21
• Integrate shared service functions into Shared service centre - I.e. Ireland and any other new acquisitions
• Develop and enhance KPI and dashboarding on shared services. Quarterly meeting with Group Finance Director and monthly meetings with Head of department
• First point of call for transactional issues
• Embed tools and look to use AI and other tools to improve productivity
• Own insurance relationship and do insurance renewal
• Own concur / Xelix / Access pay relationships and develop accordingly
• Period end reporting for transactional nominals - ensure full control and governance over nominals
• Relationship management with business ensuring process and controls in place for transactional activities
• Control management in conjunction with ICFR requirements
• Look for transactional activities to move to shared service centre - I.e. bookkeeping development, payroll posting, fixed asset accounting, transactional activities
• Change management owner for finance projects - run projects and report status. This means they will be overseeing and ensuring alignment with our broader business change objectives around process and technology adoption (i.e. functional changes such as Blackline, S4 etc.)
• Key to driving and supporting the S4 adoption within the function. Responsibility includes ensuring seamless integration and alignment of business processes with the new system, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and effectively managing stakeholder expectations throughout the transition. Key link into the S4 programme team.
• Any other requirements.

What we'll look for in you

• Proven line manager, capable of coaching and developing team members to achieve strong performance
• Advanced stakeholder management skills
• Highly effective organisational skills approach and attention to detail
• Proactive approach to self-development and team development
• Proven ability to work to deadlines whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy
• Self-motivated, resilient and able to demonstrate initiative.
• Commercially minded, with a genuine drive to make a difference
• Good verbal and written communication skills, able to condense complex information into clear messages to gain understanding
• Finance qualified
• Equally comfortable in the high level as the detailed and accurate and able to flex approach based on the circumstances
• Comfortable with ambiguity and changing priorities.

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.

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