Finance Transformation & Controls Lead

We are a leading alcohol wholesaler with annual revenues of approximately £160m. Following the implementation of a new SAP ERP platform, we are seeking a Finance Transformation & Controls Lead to strengthen financial controls, improve data quality and drive the ongoing optimisation of finance processes across the business.

The successful candidate will act as a key liaison between Venus Finance, Booker Finance and Technology teams, developing a deep understanding of end-to-end business processes and supporting the identification, investigation and resolution of process, data and control issues. They will champion continuous improvement, support business change and help ensure finance operations remain efficient, well-governed and fit for future growth.

Finance Process & Controls

• Act as the Venus finance representative for finance processes supported by SAP and other technologies.
• Review, document and improve finance processes to ensure they are efficient, scalable and well controlled.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) across the finance function.
• Identify process gaps, control weaknesses and opportunities for automation.
• Drive consistent adoption of agreed finance processes across the business.

Finance Transformation & Business Change

• Support finance transformation initiatives that improve efficiency, control, data quality and operational effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to standardise processes, reduce manual activity and improve the consistency of finance operations.
• Work closely with Booker Finance and supporting technical functions to ensure Venus’s requirements, risks and business impacts are clearly understood and effectively managed.
• Support the assessment and testing of process and system changes to ensure business requirements are met.
• Assist with user acceptance testing (UAT), process changes and system releases.

Financial Controls & Governance

• Support the development and implementation of a robust finance control framework.
• Monitor and investigate process exceptions and control failures.
• Support balance sheet integrity through improved control processes and reconciliations.
• Ensure finance processes remain aligned with group audit and compliance requirements.

Data Quality & Data Governance

• Drive improvements in finance-related master data quality.
• Work with business functions to establish clear ownership and accountability for master data.
• Investigate data discrepancies and identify underlying root causes.
• Ensure data flows between systems are understood, documented and controlled.
• Support initiatives aimed at improving reporting accuracy and business insight.

Cross-Functional Business Partnering

• Build strong relationships with Finance, Sales, Purchasing, Operations, Logistics and IT teams.
• Develop a thorough understanding of how different functions interact and impact financial performance.
• Support investigations into gross margin performance, pricing, rebates, stock movements and data-related issues.
• Facilitate effective communication between technical teams and business users.
• Act as a trusted advisor on process, controls and systems-related matters.

Continuous Improvement

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Lead root-cause analysis of recurring issues and implement sustainable solutions.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, reduce manual intervention and improve reporting capability.
• Support wider business transformation initiatives where required.

Essential

• Significant experience working within a finance environment with responsibility for financial controls, governance or finance process improvement.
• Experience working collaboratively with Application Support or Technology teams to resolve business process or system issues.
• Demonstrable experience working closely with IT teams and business stakeholders.
• Experience documenting and improving business processes.
• Understanding of data structures, data governance and system integrations.
• Proven ability to investigate complex issues and identify root causes.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel skills.

Desirable

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent experience.
• Experience within wholesale, FMCG, distribution, logistics or supply chain environments.
• Experience supporting SAP/ERP implementation or post-go-live stabilisation.
• Experience of finance transformation projects and change management initiatives.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

• Naturally curious and enjoys investigating issues.
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Comfortable challenging existing processes and driving change.
• Able to translate technical concepts into practical business solutions.
• Commercially aware with an understanding of how operational decisions impact financial performance.
• Collaborative and capable of building strong relationships across all levels of the organisation.
• Hands-on, pragmatic and solution-focused.

Success Measures

Within the first 12 months, success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• Improved adoption and effectiveness of finance processes supported by SAP and other business systems.
• Reduced finance process issues and workarounds.
• Strengthened financial controls and governance.
• Improved data quality and reporting accuracy.
• Clear process documentation across the finance function.
• Strong working relationships with Venus’s stakeholders, Booker Finance and supporting Technology teams.
• Tangible improvements in efficiency, process standardisation and issue resolution.

Venus Wine and Spirit Merchants Ltd are a well-established and respected UK-based distributor of premium wines and spirits, owned by Booker since June 2024. With over 20 years of experience, we are committed to supplying the highest quality products to our customers and delivering exceptional customer. We have our headquarters in Tottenham N17, a distribution depot in Leeds, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and Gerry's in Soho London - one of the country's most famous spirits shops.