The opportunity you've been waiting for
This is a well-established spirits business with a portfolio of recognisable brands, a capable finance team, and the ambition to get sharper. The infrastructure is there, making this an excellent opportunity for a Commercial Finance Leader to shape and enhance the finance function by building the reporting, forecasting and performance frameworks that transform data into actionable commercial insight.
This is a fractional engagement, one to two days per week, suited to an individual who wants meaningful work without a full-time commitment. The scope is substantive, the stakeholder access is senior, and the output you create will have a lasting footprint in the business.
How you'll make your mark
You will design and embed a monthly business review process that gives the Commercial Director clear visibility of volume, NSV, profit and overheads, alongside channel-level KPI reporting and a structured risks and opportunities framework. You will connect this to the S&OP cycle to create a forecasting process that works across both volume and value.
Beyond the review process, the priorities are:
- Automate and improve the commercial reporting suite, reducing manual intervention and building on the current capabilities.
- Streamline the monthly A&P reconciliation process.
- Analyse pricing performance across customers and channels, identifying exposure and opportunity across both own label and branded lines.
- Support the on-trade and marketing teams with spend tracking and ROI measurement that is robust and repeatable.
What you bring
- Proven background in commercial finance, FP&A or business partnering, ideally within a branded consumer goods or spirits environment.
- Experience building management reporting and KPI frameworks from the ground up.
- Hands-on knowledge of forecasting, budgeting and business planning processes.
- Confidence working across commercial, sales and supply chain teams.
- Advanced Excel skills and working familiarity with AS400, Cognos or similar finance systems.
- A clear understanding of pricing, profitability and commercial performance metrics.
What's in it for you
- Competitive Day Rate
- One to two days per week, with the flexibility to fit around an existing portfolio or other work commitments.
- Direct exposure to senior commercial stakeholders across finance, sales, supply chain and marketing.
- The scope to build processes and frameworks that outlast the engagement.
A bit more about the business
This is a spirits business with a portfolio spanning premium gin, Scotch whisky and international liqueur brands. The finance team sits at the centre of the commercial operation, working closely with sales and supply chain across both on and off-trade channels. The business has the foundations in place. This role is about building the commercial intelligence layer on top of them.
Denholm's take
What makes this interesting is the breadth of it. You are building a reporting and forecasting infrastructure, analysing pricing, supporting multiple commercial teams, and doing it all within a recognisable, well-regarded portfolio of spirits brands. For the right candidate, that is a genuinely satisfying engagement.
If this sounds like the kind of work you do well, get in touch for a confidential conversation.
