Senior Commercial Finance Business Partner, Ireland

Location: Greater London

** A little bit about Lindt
** We are a premium chocolate manufacturer established in 1845 operating in over 86 countries around the World. Guided by our Global purpose to Enchant the World with Chocolate and UK vision of Creating Moments to Make Everyone Feel Special, we have around 700 team members in the UK across our Head Office, Retail, and Field Sales divisions. We are a Top 20 Great Place to Work and are proud of our incredible people, our unique values-led culture and our iconic market leading brands such as LINDOR & GOLD BUNNY.  

We’re also proud of being one of the few bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the world, where we control every step of our chocolate production.
** How you could help us to Enchant the World with Chocolate
** To act as the senior finance lead for Ireland, serving as the primary finance partner and trusted adviser to the Country Manager and Ireland leadership team. The role is accountable for the full P&L, including Net Sales, Gross-to-Net, Gross Profit, OPEX and COOP, ensuring delivery of financial commitments and profitable growth.  Operating at both a strategic and operational level, the role requires a commercially minded finance leader who can influence senior stakeholders, represent Finance in leadership forums and drive key business decisions, while remaining hands-on in the analysis, planning, forecasting and performance management activities that underpin those decisions.
** Where you’ll be based
** This role is based in our Head Office in Richmond Upon Thames with hybrid working. (in the office 60% and WFH 40%) with travel to Ireland around once a month.
** Key Responsibilities
**** Business Partnering
*** Serve as the primary finance contact and trusted adviser to the Country Manager and Ireland Leadership Team.
* Provide robust commercial challenge, insight, and recommendations to support decision making and profitable growth.
* Represent the Finance function in leadership meetings, business reviews, and cross-functional forums.
* Build strong relationships across Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain and Finance to ensure alignment on priorities and performance.
* Act as the voice of Finance within the Ireland business, ensuring financial implications and risks are understood and addressed.
* Lead and develop direct report, providing coaching, direction and support while fostering a high-performance culture.
** Financial Performance & Commercial Ownership
*** Own the Ireland P&L and deliver clear visibility of performance, risks, and opportunities.
* Accountable for financial management and control of Net Sales, Gross-to-Net, Gross Profit, OPEX and COOP.
* Lead monthly performance reviews, forecasting, and financial reporting processes
* Drive actions to close performance gaps and ensure accountability for delivery across the business.
* Evaluate commercial opportunities, investments, and business cases, providing clear recommendations based on financial and strategic value
* Partner with stakeholders to optimise pricing, promotional effectiveness, margins, and profitability.
** Financial Planning & Forecasting
*** Lead the Budget, Forecast and Long-Range Planning processes for Ireland.
* Develop robust, driver-based forecasts and scenarios to support business decision making.
* Own the forecast position and provide objective challenge where assumptions do not reflect underlying business performance.
* Ensure business plans balance growth ambitions with financial discipline and delivery expectations.
** Leadership & Execution
*** Lead and develop direct reports, setting clear objectives and building capability within the team.
* Balance strategic partnering with hands-on delivery of analysis, forecasting, and performance management activities.
* Be comfortable operating in both leadership discussions and detailed financial analysis when required.
* Drive continuous improvement in reporting, planning processes, and financial governance.
* Support the wider Commercial Finance and FP&A community by sharing best practices and driving consistency across the business.
** What experience you’ll bring
*** Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong post-qualification experience.
* Significant Commercial Finance or Business Partnering experience within a complex consumer goods, retail, or commercial environment.
* Proven experience partnering senior stakeholders and influencing business decisions.
* Demonstrated ownership of a full P&L.
* Strong experience of budgeting, forecasting, financial…