COMMERCIAL FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNER

Asahi UK (AUK), part of Asahi Europe & International Ltd, aims to enrich consumer experiences through innovation, high-quality service and an exceptional portfolio of premium beer, ale and cider brands including, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Asahi Super Dry, Meantime, Fuller’s London Pride and Cornish Orchards. Our aim is to be the leading super premium beer business in the UK, through a brand mix that creates a compelling proposition. At AUK we operate as an end to end business unit responsible for sales, marketing, customer operations, production, supply chain and wholesale operations in the UK & Ireland. For further information, visit www.asahibeer.co.uk

Asahi Europe & International is a subsidiary of Asahi Group Holdings Ltd, a global beverage and food company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan. Employing > 12,000 people, Asahi Europe & International is the custodian for leading super premium lager brands Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch, Asahi Super Dry, plus international Czech lager brands, Pilsner Urquell and Kozel. The business has world-class brewing and production facilities in 8 markets – UK, NL, ITL, PL, CZ, SK, HU, RO. In most of these markets, we are the leading brewer with full portfolio of famous brands. Commercial operations in other parts of Europe, USA, Canada, LatAm, Africa and Asia are served through our global distribution network. With state-of-the-art facilities, some of the best brewers in the world, quality ingredients, and a culture based on innovation and collaboration, Asahi offers the best quality of beer to beer lovers worldwide. More information can be found at www.asahiinternational.com

Commercial Finance Business Partner - 12 month FTC

Asahi UK are looking for a Commercial Finance Business Partner for an initial 12 month Fixed-Term Contract.

Key Purpose

To partner with Sales in order to deliver the sales forecast for Asahi UK. The business partnership will have a focus on providing a forward looking outlook on the P+L and identifying revenue and margin enhancing opportunities across strategic customers. The role will also be pivotal in generating detailed and insightful analysis, commentary and challenge to underpin commercial decision support whilst driving rigour into the sales spend (discounts and trade investment). Furthermore the role will provide key support in customer negotiations, with both recommendations and challenge.

Key Accountabilities

The Commercial Finance Business Partner is responsible for the following key outputs and accountabilities:

Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting

• Support & influence Account Managers in producing robust customer tenders, covering volume, price, investment & margins, ensuring that any decisions taken are not detrimental to the wider “Enterprise” strategy.
• Work with Sales, Finance and Purchasing to prepare budgets and forecasts, providing strong financial support throughout.
• Actively attend Sales meetings, making relevant challenges where appropriate, in particular, leading the financial aspects of the review.
• Challenge and support the development of the financial assumptions that underpin the sales plans.

Business Performance Management & Decision Support

• Prepare monthly volume, NPR, Product GM and P+L analysis as well as customer & category profitability analysis, providing insightful commentary on key variances.
• Cascade Nectar financial performance to the Sales & B&C Managers Functions with insight and commentary.
• In conjunction with Sales teams, monitor & maintain pricing architecture for customer pricing, delivering strategies to address outliers
• Continually strive to improve processes and systems to ensure further reporting efficiencies and more insightful analysis.
• Drive a commercial acumen training agenda through relevant Sales teams, providing 121 and group coaching where appropriate.
• Facilitate communication of Finance policies and procedures to the Sales & B&C Management functions.

Month End Procedures

• Posting and reconciling monthly journals
• Preparation of Monthly reporting deck including accurate and insightful reporting and commentary on month end Product GM/NPR volume/price/mix analysis.
• Updating Power BI database as new Nominals and internal processes dictate to ensure accurate reporting. 

Experience Required

• Qualified Accountant with some experience in a business partner Commercial role (Drinks Industry experience is an advantage)
• Strong Microsoft Office knowledge essential (particularly Excel, Power BI is an advantage)
• Strong track record of influencing non-financial decision makers & driving improvements through the business

Key Attributes of the Successful Person

• Must be a self-starter with a solution driven approach
• Highly numerate with strong analytical skills and close attention to detail
• Desire to understand the business, drive it forward and make a wider impact 
• Able to think strategically and understand the market (UK drinks industry) within which we operate
• Positive and proactive work ethic with a “Can Do” attitude, willing to get involved in the detail when necessary
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment, prioritising tasks to meet key deadlines 
• Ability to thrive and deliver under pressure

We are committed to nurturing a workplace where we celebrate and respect difference, and support everyone to be true to who they are! At Asahi Europe and International we believe you can SHINE AS YOU ARE - no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs.  We want to support you to be courageous in your individuality and to know that whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, you can belong with us without having to conform.