Finance Business Partner – Margin and Operations | London For over 35 years, Aesop has carefully cultivated an inspiring and inclusive environment in which our employees are supported and encouraged to thrive. As a global retail organisation, we offer professional development and advancement opportunities to complement career goals and aspirations. Our approach to skin care involves meticulous attention to detail, using only the most efficacious ingredients to create formulations which stir the self and senses. The same meticulous approach is taken during our recruitment process, seeking out considered and inspired individuals with a wealth of perspectives who bring out the best in themselves and others. We aim to strike the right balance between people, planet and profit, actively reducing our footprint on the planet that generously sustains us. So far, this journey has led us to become a certified B Corp. We are committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive society. Role purpose Armed with strong financial, commercial and analytical skills, the Finance Business Partner – Margin and Operations will partner with the DMI Finance, Product and Operations departments on a global level, on all margin and finance related topics. As a member of the extended Operations and Product leadership team, the successful candidate will act as a strong connector with the Finance community. It will be expected to improve financial awareness within the supported functions, strengthen the finance agenda and implement processes and control improvements in fields such as: Controllership Business partnering & decision support Financial and Analytical Modelling Margin management and product profitability Management reporting, budgeting & forecasting Creation of financial plans which align with company strategy Role responsibilities include, but are not limited to – Business partnering, decision support and Financial Analytical Modelling As a trusted team member, this role will support the global functions by providing commercial support, financial insight, analytical rigour and communication support with key stakeholders across the business in regards to product development, margin management and transfer pricing. Alongside this, the role will provide oversight and support to the global supply chain function and monitor its financial impacts on the Brand P&L. It will also be involved in the support of ad-hoc projects, both tactical and strategic, as required by the business. Working closely with the relevant teams, the successful candidate will ensure robust challenging, delivery and reporting of Return on Investment for these projects. Key activities include: Establish strong partnership with budget holders and their broader teams to operate as one team in delivering the day-to-day operations and long-term strategic plans. Ensure consistency of partnering approach to the overall strategic vision and goals of the company. Manage the appraisal, preparation, and presentation of new product business cases to key stakeholders and decision-makers. Oversee the planning, reporting, and controlling of financial expenditure (Capex and Opex) of operations and design, working closely with key stakeholders and flagging any material deviation from initial plans. Manage, monitor and develop the transfer pricing calculations to ensure compliance with the brand’s fiscal model. Working as a key conduit in ensuring the product developments are aligned with the commercial and supply chain capability. Attribution modelling. Management reporting, budgeting & forecasting The role will provide financial insight to the Finance and Operations leadership team to support decision-making processes by sharing regular and relevant financial information and providing value-adding commentary and insight. The successful candidate is also expected to operate the financial control of the Product Development and Operations teams’ budget, manage the completion of the planning cycles throughout the year (forecast, budget, and strategic plan) and pro-actively identify risks and opportunities through their detailed understanding of the function and its challenges. Key activities include: Engage with all key stakeholders to ensure financial results are regularly communicated in a timely manner and risks/opportunities are identified and discussed, with appropriate actions put in place and followed upon. Work with accounting team to continuously improve processes to support a smooth delivery of the month-end close and reporting activities. Monitor the evolution of intergroup results and the necessary reporting associated with this. Monitor and forecast the FX impacts on the Brand P&L Working with the business partnering team to manage the preparation, review and communication of the functional budgets and reforecasts, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources. Work closely with the business planning and reporting team (FP&A) to develop strategies and processes which support the overall planning cycle. Support the continuous improvement of planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes. Drive the strategic planning cycle within the supported functions. This is a full-time position operating with a hybrid working pattern, including 3 days on-site per week at Aesop’s Global Head Office, based in London Bridge. What we are looking for Open mindset and deep curiosity seeking to understand others, listen without judgement and act on diverse perspectives Commitment to fostering an inclusive and psychologically safe work environment Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate and convey messages and explain technical financial data to non-finance audiences Demonstrated knowledge and experience with budgeting, forecasting and relevant accounting & financial procedures Excellent problem solving, process-improvement, organisational and prioritisation skills Critical analysis capability The ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders Ability to actively provide and promote service culture through personal leadership Experience with NetSuite and Anaplan an advantage University degree in business related subject or equivalent Finance/Accounting Qualification (CA, CPA, CMA or equivalent) Relevant finance partnering experience, preferably in operations, supply chain, product development and or transfer pricing What’s on offer We take a holistic approach to employment, promoting professional development, career growth, employee wellbeing initiatives and encouraging deep connections with the local community through the Aesop Foundation, volunteering and matched giving programs. Employee benefits include – Flexible, hybrid working pattern Generous product discount allowance and bi-annual complimentary product allocation Paid volunteering allowance for all employees Bonus opportunity based on personal, and business, performance Suite of options to aid development, including complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning, in-house Product and Core skills training and study support opportunities Access to employee assistance programmes, complimentary subscription to Headspace mindfulness app and summer hours options. Aesop is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people by offering a creative and inclusive workplace where talent is truly recognised and rewarded. We are committed to promoting inclusion for all with the belief that diversity, inclusion and belonging plays an important role in the success of our organisation. We actively encourage everyone to consider becoming a part of our journey. LI-Hybrid