Senior Finance Analyst

Job description

The ASR Group® family of companies make up the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar. The companies produce a full line of grocery, industrial, foodservice and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group® companies operate five sugar refineries, located in California, Maryland, Louisiana, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, ASR Group® companies operate sugar refineries in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and, with a joint venture partner, Italy. The companies also farm sugarcane and own sugar mills in Mexico and Belize. The ASR Group® portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Florida Crystals®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle's®, Sidul® and Whitworths®. ASR Group® companies also produce and market Tellus®, a single-use, compostable tableware and foodservice product made from plant fibers, including sugarcane. COMPANY DESCRIPTION The ASR Group® family of companies is the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar. The companies produce a full line of grocery, industrial, foodservice and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group® companies operate five sugar refineries, located in California, Maryland, Louisiana, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, ASR Group® companies operate sugar refineries in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and, with a joint venture partner, Italy. The companies also farm sugarcane and own sugar mills in Mexico and Belize. The ASR Group® portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Florida Crystals®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle's®, Sidul® and Whitworths®. ASR Group® companies also produce and market Tellus®, a single-use, compostable tableware and foodservice product made from plant fibers, including sugarcane. OVERVIEW The Senior Finance Analyst is an operational-finance business partner for assigned UK non-refining production sites, including locations in London and Normanton. The role independently owns financial analysis, reporting and forecast preparation for assigned cost centres and provides clear recommendations to improve profitability, cost control and operational decision-making. The role combines management accounting, manufacturing analysis, capital-investment support, controls, systems improvement and cross-functional partnering. It operates with professional independence within agreed policies and escalates material risks, control issues and decisions outside delegated authority to the Finance Manager. DETAILED ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting, forecasting and insight Prepare accurate and timely month-end, quarter-end and year-end reporting for assigned sites and cost centres, including journals, reconciliations, accruals and supporting schedules. Produce clear commentary on operational performance, separating underlying drivers from timing or one-off effects and highlighting material risks and opportunities. Build and maintain monthly forecasts for assigned areas, challenge assumptions with budget holders and recommend corrective actions. Prepare budget models, assumptions and supporting analysis for the annual planning process, responding to review and challenge from the Finance Manager. Create and maintain reporting and dashboards that provide operational managers with timely and actionable information. Manufacturing finance and controls Analyse manufacturing performance, including material usage, labour, overhead, yield, waste, scrap, purchase-price and absorption variances where relevant to the assigned sites. Support the development, maintenance and periodic review of standard product costs, Bills of Materials, routings and related master data. Analyse inventory, work in progress, stock accuracy and provisions for assigned areas, investigate exceptions and escalate material issues. Execute assigned financial controls, identify weaknesses and propose improvements; support timely remediation and audit evidence requirements. Support internal, external and compliance audits by preparing accurate evidence and responding to queries within the agreed scope. Business partnering and investment Partner with operational and functional managers across Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Procurement, Sales and Marketing on assigned topics and sites. Investigate cost and process inefficiencies, quantify potential benefits and work with the business to develop practical improvement actions. Develop financial models and business cases for capital investment, test key assumptions and complete post-investment reviews in line with the agreed governance process. Present conclusions and recommendations clearly to operational managers and finance stakeholders, escalating decisions and material risks appropriately. Systems, improvement and team contribution Use SAP or an equivalent ERP, Excel, Power BI and other approved tools to improve the quality, consistency and efficiency of analysis and reporting. Contribute to controlled automation and reporting improvements, including Power Automate and approved AI capabilities where appropriate. Share technical knowledge and provide informal coaching or peer review to less experienced colleagues; the role does not carry formal line-management accountability. Undertake defined improvement projects or workstreams, with scope, decisions and escalation routes agreed with the Finance Manager. WORK EXPERIENCES Demonstrable experience of management accounting, financial analysis, audit or business partnering in a complex organisation. Experience of manufacturing, engineering, food production, FMCG, commodities or another operational environment is desirable. Working knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, financial controls and the drivers of operational performance. Advanced Excel skills and experience of Power BI or comparable analytical tools; SAP or equivalent ERP experience is highly desirable. Candidates moving from practice should demonstrate transferable capability in controls, analytical review, stakeholder communication and practical commercial judgement. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, or an equivalent recognised professional accounting qualification. A relevant degree or equivalent demonstrable professional experience is desirable. The professional accounting qualification and role-relevant capability are the primary requirements. At Tate & Lyle Sugars, our goal is to be the most admired sweetener Company. Service Excellence - Be the industry's Gold Standard by a relentless focus on reliability, providing products with superior quality and excellent customer services. Efficiency and Sustainability - Eliminate inefficiency to be a sustainable, low cost producer and to generate fuel for reinvestment. Value-Add - create strategic advantage and enhanced profitability through value-added products and services. The foundation of our values is Talent and Culture as we aim to build, retain and motivate a winning team.