Interim Finance Business Partner

Sewell Wallis is partnering with a large South Yorkshire manufacturing business based in Sheffield in their search for an experienced and commercially focused Finance Business Partner to join the business on a contract basis.

Working closely with the Head of Finance, Financial Controller and wider operational and commercial teams, the Finance Business Partner will provide high-quality financial and operational analysis, insight and challenge to support business performance and key decision-making.

This is a hands-on role suited to an experienced finance professional who can quickly understand a business, build effective relationships with stakeholders and use financial and operational data to identify trends, opportunities and areas for improvement.

The ideal candidate will also bring strong data analytics and Business Intelligence experience, with exposure to SQL and BI reporting tools such as Power BI. The ability to interrogate large datasets, improve reporting and translate data into meaningful commercial insight will be highly advantageous.

What will you be doing?

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Operational Finance

Work closely with operational and commercial teams to understand and analyse the full margin and cost elements of the company's product portfolio.
Analyse and report on raw material costs, including forecasting, foreign exchange exposure and potential hedging requirements.
Develop a strong understanding of operational processes and incorporate standard costing into product costing and pricing mechanisms.
Provide regular analysis and reporting of operational costs against budget and forecast.
Analyse manufacturing variances, including mix, yield, price and quantity, providing insight to drive corrective action and improve future performance.
Review and report on production versus forecast, including volume, revenue and GCM performance.
Support detailed monthly forecasting of operational performance.
Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend improvements to enhance cost efficiency and business performance.
Provide proactive challenge to financial and operational assumptions, using scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis where appropriate.
Review and improve KPI reporting and performance metrics.
Prepare cost models and pricing analysis for new business opportunities.
Provide financial review and approval of customer LTAs.Data Analytics & Business Intelligence

Analyse financial and operational data to identify trends, risks, opportunities and key performance drivers.
Interrogate complex datasets to provide meaningful commercial and financial insight.
Utilise SQL to extract, manipulate and analyse data where required.
Use BI reporting tools, ideally Power BI, to develop and improve dashboards and management reporting.
Improve the automation, accuracy and efficiency of financial and operational reporting.
Identify opportunities to streamline reporting and reduce manual processes.
Translate complex data into clear, concise and actionable information for senior stakeholders.
Work with finance and operational teams to understand reporting requirements and develop meaningful management information.
Identify opportunities to improve data quality and the consistency of reporting.

Financial Planning & Reporting

Work alongside the Financial Controller to support budgets, forecasts and working capital management.
Ensure relevant pricing and costing adjustments are completed in line with month-end Group reporting deadlines.
Support reconciliations and inventory balance sheet valuations.
Prepare monthly sales and margin analysis, including insightful commentary for management accounts.
Support internal and external audit requirements.
Provide financial analysis and support on ad hoc projects across the wider finance function.

What skills do we need?

ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
Advanced Excel skills and strong financial modelling capability.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Experience analysing financial and operational data.
Strong commercial acumen, ideally gained within a manufacturing or product-based environment.
Ability to quickly understand a business and make an immediate contribution within…