Finance Business Partner

Job Title: Commercial Finance Business Partner Location: Penrith (Hybrid) Reporting to: Head of Finance About the Company Our client is an established, high growth manufacturer with a strong reputation for producing high-quality products supplied to major retailers across the UK. Headquartered in the Penrith, the business has built its success on a combination of expertise and continuous investment in innovation, automation and operational excellence. They are currently scaling their commercial and operational capabilities to support increased demand and expansion across product ranges and customer channels. The culture is collaborative and hands‑on, with a strong focus on quality, efficiency and continuous improvement. This is a business where finance plays a key strategic role, working closely with operations and commercial teams to drive performance, improve margins, and support data‑led decision making as the organisation continues its growth journey. The Role Sowena Group have been exclusively retained to recruit for a Commercial Finance Business Partner. You will play a key role in supporting the financial performance and commercial decision‑making across sales and production within a fast‑growing manufacturing environment. Acting as a trusted partner to both finance and operational teams, the role will ensure accuracy and insightful commercial reporting, while helping to drive improved profitability, cost efficiency, and customer performance. Reporting into the Head of Finance, this is a highly visible position that combines core financial reporting responsibilities with forward‑looking commercial analysis, budgeting and forecasting, and continuous improvement of management information and reporting systems. The role will also support the development of junior team members as the finance function continues to scale. This offers genuine ownership of the commercial finance function, with the opportunity to shape and embed your own approach and make a tangible impact. Key Responsibilities * Preparation of the Revenue Recognition adjustment * Preparation of the monthly Sales report for the Finance Director for inclusion in the Management report * Preparation of reports on Rebates and Commissions payable to customers and agents and prepare and post monthly accrual * Assist in the Development and preparation of Sales and Contribution reports for the Commercial Team * Analysis of Customer performance for Sales and Contribution alongside Sales, providing guidance into maximising Contribution * Supporting the preparation of the annual Budget and periodic forecasting processes and continuously improve budgeting, financial projections, and operating forecast * Preparation of 13‑week Cash‑flow in‑flow forecast on a monthly basis * Supporting systems development. Assessing trends in manufacturing performance, preparing margins by customer, product portfolio and segment * Act as a key driver in the structuring of the overall MI suite, for delivering the business requirements on an automated basis * Working with a cross functional team to identify areas to focus on improving business performance by analysing KPI trends relating to financial metrics such as sales, expenditures, and profit margin * Working closely with the Operations teams to develop activity‑based costings and trending to identify areas for improvement * Monitor KPIs and identify the cause of any unexpected variances * Partnering with the commercial teams to develop more robust pricing tools & processes * Ad‑hoc business performance reporting * Presentation of monthly and quarterly financial reports of various units and departments * Project lead for automating reporting, blueprinting business requirements and working with central BI experts * Implementation of a business intelligence tool and dashboard reporting * Developing financial models and analyse them to support strategic initiatives * Support management team with data‑driven analysis About You * Strong commercial acumen with experience in business partnering * Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insight * Experience working in a manufacturing or similar environment (desirable) * Proven track record of driving performance through KPIs and financial analysis * Confident communicator with the ability to influence senior stakeholders Why Join? * A scaling business with strong growth ambitions and a people‑first culture * High‑visibility role with exposure to senior leadership * Opportunity to shape reporting, processes, and commercial decision‑making * Clear progression as the business continues to expand #J-18808-Ljbffr