Finance Lead

Fluid Recruitment; Dunedin; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Fluid Recruitment's client in Dunedin, New Zealand, is seeking a Finance Lead to guide gross margin performance and drive planning and performance across the business. You will partner with senior stakeholders to identify opportunities and improve processes while leading a small team.

The role offers autonomy and a mix of strategic thinking, hands-on delivery, and people leadership within a data-driven finance function that supports management decisions.

Qualifications

• CA membership with demonstrated management accounting experience.
• Strong financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting capability.
• Advanced Excel modelling and data analysis skills.
• Experience with ERP systems, ideally Dynamics 365.

Responsibilities

• Lead fortnightly gross margin reporting with insights for management and Board decisions.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning with Planning and Reporting Manager.
• Ensure accurate reporting of inventory, sales and cost of sales.
• Identify risks and opportunities through financial analysis and recommendations.
• Partner with stakeholders on business improvements including systems, reporting and BI enhancements.
• Develop team capability through coaching, mentoring and leadership.

Skills

CA membership

Management accounting

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder partnering

Advanced Excel

ERP systems

D365 experience

Education

Tertiary qualification (CA)

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

BI tools

Power BI

Job description

Our client is a well-established New Zealand business with a significant presence across the primary sector. Through continued investment in its people, systems, and capability, the organisation has built a highly data-driven environment where Finance plays a critical role in supporting performance and decision-making.

With a collaborative culture, strong leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement, this is an opportunity to join a business where you'll be trusted to leverage your autonomy and contribute to ongoing success.

The Opportunity

As Finance Lead, you'll guide gross margin performance, play a key role in planning and performance, and partner across the business to drive commercial decision-making. With the scope to identify opportunities, improve process, and influence outcomes, this role will suit a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys balancing strategic thinking, hands‑on delivery, and people leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead fortnightly gross margin reporting, providing insights to support management and Board decision-making.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes in partnership with the Planning and Reporting Manager.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of inventory, sales, and cost of sales.
• Identify risks and opportunities through financial analysis, providing recommendations to improve business performance.
• Partner with stakeholders on business improvement initiatives, including systems, reporting, and BI enhancements.
• Develop team capability through coaching, mentoring, and leadership.

What You'll Bring

• Relevant tertiary qualification and CA membership
• Proven management accounting experience within a corporate environment
• Strong financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and business partnering capability
• Advanced Excel skills, including financial modelling and analysis
• Experience working with ERP systems and using data to support decision-making (D365 advantageous)
• A proactive, commercially minded approach with the confidence to build relationships, identify opportunities, and deliver outcomes

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to build on your leadership capability, influence key business decisions, and take ownership of a broad portfolio within a respected New Zealand organisation. Backed by experienced leaders and with the autonomy to make your mark, you'll be well positioned to progress your career as new opportunities arise.