Finance Business Partner

Role Overview

An established industrial distribution and services company is seeking a Finance Business Partner to join their Newcastle-based divisional leadership team. This position is hands-on and embedded within the division rather than functioning as a traditional, remote FP&A role, working closely with the General Manager on matters such as pricing, margins, and cost recovery.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary finance liaison within the division, actively participating in leadership meetings to influence operational decision-making.
• Foster strong relationships with leaders outside finance, helping them understand key drivers of business performance.
• Analyze margin fluctuations to identify causes such as rework, mispricing, or operational inefficiencies.
• Develop and enhance pricing models that factor in labor costs, machinery usage, and overhead recovery.
• Provide real-time pricing support to the sales team to guide immediate decisions.
• Design actionable metrics and leading indicators that accurately reflect mid-month business performance, moving beyond traditional month-end reporting.
• Collaborate with data and BI teams to specify dashboard requirements, ensuring meaningful and practical financial reporting.
• Transform financial reporting into a strategic tool that informs leadership decisions rather than just documentation.
• Support divisional-level budgeting and rolling forecasts processes.
• Conduct variance analysis between forecasts and actuals, delivering insights into underlying reasons.
• Ensure divisional plans mirror operational realities rather than solely top-down projections.
• Assist with financial modeling and build business cases for capital projects and other initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve margins and enhance cost efficiency throughout the division.

Candidate Profile

• Preferably holds CA or CPA qualifications.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the confidence to engage and collaborate with non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience in operational or commercial finance roles, particularly those embedded on site rather than purely corporate environments.
• Exposure to mining, industrial, or manufacturing sectors is highly valued, though not mandatory.
• Willing and able to be physically present on-site four or more days per week.

Benefits

• Join a private equity-backed company with a strong national brand.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Flexible working conditions available.
• Work within a supportive and high-performing finance team.
• Pathways for career advancement and ongoing skill development.
• Attractive salary package with bonus incentives.