Commercial Accountant

Job Title: Commercial Accountant

Location: Burton or Staines Upon Thames

We are Pilgrim’s Food Masters, part of the Pilgrim’s family since September 2021, (previously part of Kerry Foods) and we have a proud history of developing brilliant food for our customers and consumers that is enjoyed in millions of UK and Irish homes every year.

The wider Pilgrim’s company employs around 60,00 people across the globe and we’re one of the world’s biggest food companies. We aim to become the best and most respected company in our industry creating the opportunity of a better future for all our team members.

Our Pilgrim’s Food Masters portfolio includes famous brands that are some of the UK and Ireland’s favourites, such as Denny, Galtee, Richmond and Fridge Raiders. We are the UK’s biggest producer of prepared meals, making delicious chilled and frozen ready meals for every major supermarket in the UK. And our Accelerator business includes newer brands like Rollover Hot Dogs and Oakhouse Meals that target different consumer groups in unique ways.

We strive every day to make Pilgrim’s Food Master’s a safe, healthy and happy place to work for all of our 4,500 employees. We will give full and equal consideration to all applicants regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion and sexual orientation. Continuing to build a diverse workforce is fundamental to our business and we value the critical role it plays in creating a truly inclusive workplace.

Role Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a commercial accountant to join our Meal Solutions Team and support us with our growth agenda. If you thrive in cross-functional teams, if you have a passion for unearthing financial insights and are looking for an environment where you are supported to deliver to a high standard and enabled to take ownership in all you do, then this is the role for you.

As a business partner to our commercial functions, you will use your analytical skills and commercial acumen to influence stakeholders in financial and business decision making. You will be responsible for supporting the delivery of our business objectives through the provision and interpretation of key commercial management information.

As a Commercial Accountant within Pilgrim’s Food Masters, you be working with the Finance Lead, Accountants and Analysts, while business partnering our commercial functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Be a core member of cross functional Business Teams, in pursuit of delivering in year targets and seeking out new opportunities for growth
• Work collaboratively with commercial and operational teams to develop business cases and model scenarios, such as building innovation P&Ls, exploring new promotional mechanics and evaluating the impact of commodity pricing
• Partner with Account Managers in building annual customer joint business plans, exploring opportunities to grow our business and ensuring we deliver against our business strategy
• Demonstrate bold curiosity by identifying trends and proactively presenting key findings and recommendations to the commercial teams
• Take ownership for providing month-end variance analysis, outlining emerging trends or issues and sharing actionable insights
• Take a lead in delivering robust and accurate financial forecasts, identifying risks & opportunities and presenting forecasted outlook to senior stakeholders and wider commercial teams
• Partner with commercial stakeholders to review promotional performance, analysing the return on investment and effectiveness of our trade spend investments and challenging sales teams to optimise future promotional plans
• Continuously identify opportunities to streamline and improve efficiency of our financial processes and seek ways to add more value
• Show real passion, energy and excitement for growing our brands, developing our categories and identifying opportunities against new and emerging food trend

Capability Requirements

• Commercial Business Partnering experience in a similar role is a must.
• Qualified (or Part Qualified) Accountant with a CIMA or ACCA professional qualification
• Strong interpersonal skills with the proven ability to build and maintain relationships and communicate professionally to all levels and functions of an organization
• Experience in a manufacturing environment is preferable
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work as part of a team environment
• Advanced Excel skills
• Power BI experience would be an advantage
• Ability to engage & influence a broad range of stakeholders
• Maintain a high degree of relevant business knowledge
• Continually develop cross-functional networks
• Promote and embrace a culture of continuous improvement
• Develop best in class processes and systems
• Ownership for personal development

Why Join Pilgrim’s Food Masters

Our values are at the heart of our business and drive everything we do. Availability is key as we are receptive and open and prepared to take on new challenges. Humility is important to us as we listen and respect each other and value opinions of others. Discipline is vital to fulfil commitment internally and externally. We need to be truthful to each other and respectful of other opinions, so Sincerity drives us. At Pilgrim’s we focus on what’s practical and important so through Simplicity, Ownership and Determination brings success. All these core values culminate into our vision which is: To be the best and most respected company in our industry, creating the opportunity of a better future for our team members