Senior Finance Manager - Trading

Home. There’s no place like it.And there’s no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that’s what we do. We’re the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And we’ve crafted a workplace that feels just as welcoming – where you can bring your ideas, be yourself, and feel right at home. At Dunelm, our Finance team isn’t just about numbers, we’re the powerhouse behind smart decisions, smooth operations, and spotting golden opportunities for growth.  We balance the books and manage procurement like pros, but we also dive deep into financial data to uncover patterns, trends, and hidden gems that help steer our business forward. With an approximately 85-strong team, we’re just the right size - agile enough that no one gets lost in the crowd (or stuck doing the same thing every day), but big enough to offer real opportunities to grow explore new areas and really challenge yourself. If you think finance is all grey suits and spreadsheets - think again. Here, we're making numbers exciting, decisions smarter, and opportunities bigger. Work your way, together

We’re a hybrid business, which means you’ll have flexibility alongside time together with your team. In this role, you can expect 3 days a week in the office or on-site, helping you stay connected, collaborate and do your best work for our customers. The Business Finance Team is a team of roughly thirty finance professionals, who partner with the functions across Dunelm, to: Produce timely and accurate weekly and monthly reports and insight to inform trading and operational control and decision making Set targets (in conjunction with business) and provide independent view of forecasts and trends  Hold business to account to deliver to targets and manage risks and opportunities Support and challenge tactical and strategic decision making, including financial appraisal (and post investment appraisal) Agitate for optimising profitability and return on investment, and for best use of our resources Use our unique viewpoint to join things up, ‘unblock’ issues and put simple structure around priorities and actions There are many opportunities for development in the team, both: Progression through Analyst, Business Partner, Finance Manager, Senior Finance Manager and Head of; and Partnering with the varied parts of Dunelm’s business, including Stores, Supply Chain, Digital, Marketing, Tech, Commercial and many more! As Senior Finance Manager for the business functions you partner, you are responsible for leading your team to provide support and challenge to your business partners in line with the Business Finance purpose, whilst also ensuring that all requirements for the Dunelm Finance function are delivered. In addition to leading your team, you will directly partner with your Executive and Dunelm Leadership Team partners on specific projects, initiatives and focus areas, acting as a key member of their leadership teams. You will work closely with your colleagues partnering other areas of the business to support join up of opportunities and issues across the end-to-end operation.   Leadership of your team, including direct line management of Finance Managers and coaching and development of the broader team.  Primary outcomes of the team include: Production of weekly and monthly reporting Forecasting, budgeting and strategic planning Decision support, from tactical decisions up to large strategic projects, including financial appraisal Insight and analysis to better inform decision making Challenge and support to business functions and, where relevant, to third party suppliers Ensure the month-end is closed accurately, timely and in accordance with policies as set by Financial Reporting (P&L and balance sheet) Partner directly (and indirectly via the team) the Exec and Dunelm Leadership Team members in the functions you support – acting as ‘critical friend’ Direct ownership, leadership and presentation of regular or ad hoc outputs and meetings. E.g. Weekly Trade, Steering Groups for focus areas, acting as Finance Lead Identifying business opportunities or risks and influencing stakeholders to take action. Questioning the status quo and coming up with improvement ideas.   Constantly re-review the prioritisation of your team’s workload, looking for better ways to do things and being brave in stopping activities.  Specifics for Trading FinanceEnd to end ownership of sales, margin and stock from a finance partnering perspective, from planning through to performance Ownership of budgeting and forecasting cycles (specifically sales and margin planning, plus channel-based sales driver expectations like traffic, levers etc), across commercial categories and sales channels – ensuring alignment across target setting and wider business planning Ownership of weekly Trade content and trading story, helping the business to understand performance and areas of focus. Follow up of ad-hoc Trade actions that support diagnosis of business trading performance.  Partnering of Exec and Leadership Team stakeholders to achieve targets and identify areas of opportunity/optimisation (through eventing, margin investment, clearance decisioning etc); specific critical challenge on strategic planning Reporting support; partnering where required to surface important content to aid decision making. Continuous review of existing reports to prevent inefficiency or duplication. Month end responsibility areas: ownership of sales, product margin and commercial gross margin adjustments (including freight and volume rebates)Management and prioritisation of Exec/DLT asks (capacity, nature of ask, importance of output to decision making) Development of team members through coaching, nature of task, and level of exposure Continuous improvement mindset embedded in the team Essential SkillsProven line management experience, delivering through others Commercially minded, with a genuine drive to make a difference and support Dunelm to achieve its growth and profitability targets Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to condense complex information into clear messages to gain understanding and buy-in A good relationship builder building trust with key stakeholders and able to influence Finance qualified, with broad finance experience and knowledge, able to represent the whole finance function with stakeholders Equally comfortable in the high level and directional as the detailed and accurate and able to flex approach based on the circumstances  Comfortable with ambiguity and changing priorities and able to lead a team through continuous re-prioritisation to ensure the best value outcomes are delivered BehaviorsCommunicating – Making the complex easy to understand, influencing and engaging others to achieve support for decisions and actionsCuriosity – A desire to truly understand the business operations and to question why things are done the way they are. Always probing beyond the first answer. Adapting – Having the courage to change direction to achieve outcomes. Creating a safe environment for the team to experiment and learn. Thinking Big – Using internal and external networks and knowledge to suggest and influence change Challenging – Being the voice of constructive dissent to help reach better outcomes; shape opinions and challenge thinking Making It Happen – Cutting through complexity to deliver agilely against the most important outcomes. Set clear roles, responsibilities and expectations with your team. D&I statementDunelm is committed to becoming an inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms. Our commitment to youAccessibility allows everyone to have an equitable chance when applying and showing off their potential, which helps us create a more inclusive and diverse team that brings fresh ideas and perspectives. Should you need it, we have an accessibility tool available in the top menu to support you when you’re completing your application. If you require any other reasonable adjustments during the application and assessment process, reach out to your recruitment partner. Work your way We want our colleagues to feel at home wherever they work, so that they are comfortable and can be their best selves. In addition, we want everyone to feel connected to the business, our strategy and the teams they work with. Where hybrid working is applicable, colleagues need to strike the right balance to fulfil both of these important factors. You will find the right mix of being at home, in the office & out in the business, bearing in mind business needs, job role and level of responsibility. Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area – and at every stage – of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing. Taking opportunities Meet Amanda, our Chief Stores and People Director, who shares how she feels empowered to take opportunities every day, why Dunelm is her happy place, and why it’s a really exciting time to join us.Look in our toy boxOf course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with. Dazzling designAt Dunelm, we love every aspect of the design process. We're continually researching new developments in packaging, materials and production methods, tapping into new data insights and keeping track of changing lifestyle trends. We're hugely collaborative in the way we work. Together, the teams here have a direct impact on our success, creating amazing products that drive sales and delight our customers, as well as providing direction for our wide and varied range of brands. Where you’ll be workingHere is where you'll be based, whether that's an office, or store or one of our sites. Keep on growing We want you to get as much out of working with us as possible. That's why we'll do everything we can to engage you in the process of learning, and encourage you to explore new opportunities around your particular skills and interests. For you, this includes:Housewarming & Settling In where you can find out more about the wider business, our culture, behaviours, networks and wellbeing supportThrive, our learning and skills platform which gives you a blended, bite-sized, social learning experience with learning relevant to your roleOur Enterprise Leadership Programme designed specifically for our strong growth potential Heads of Department to help them reach the next level in their careerOur INSPIRE Programme designed for our strong growth potential senior managers across the business to enhance their leadership capabilityOur EXPLORE Programme designed to prepare our next generation of Line ManagersPersonal Effectiveness workshops and self-led learning, also delivered through ThriveApprenticeships opportunities relevant to your role – from level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) through to Level 7 (equivalent to Masters)Colleague Development Fund to support colleagues in accessing external training relevant to your roleCoaching and mentoring to support you in your current role and help you prepare for the nextFunctional academies that offer training to support you in the technical aspects of your roleSelf-awareness tools to help you understand what really matters to you, and where your own talents and ambitions lieProgress conversations that reflect on how you're doing and define your focus areas for the coming monthsCareer conversations that explore what you want from your career, in light of your current capabilities, potential and future aspirationsMeet your teamMeet your teamI’m in my happy place when…"There's a lot of knowledge between us and we learn from each other. But there's also plenty of scope to explore your own ideas." Sasha, Finance ManagerMeet your teamI’m in my happy place when…"As a Wellbeing Buddy, I'm here to help colleagues talk openly and honestly about their mental health." Abi, Internal Communications ManagerMeet your teamI’m in my happy place when…"I’m surrounded by people, part of a great team and with a tea in hand. If I can walk away from my day knowing I’ve had a positive impact on someone, that means everything to me." Lottie, Belonging & Engagement PartnerMeet your teamI’m in my happy place when…"I’m working closely with my stakeholders, mapping out what they need in their next hire and then heading out to find the perfect match." Rakesh, Resourcing ManagerRewards you deserve Along with competitive salaries, we offer a range of other great benefits to recognise the unique contribution you bring. Salary Advance so you can access up to 50% of the money you've earned during the month, rather than having to wait until pay dayInstant discounts with a range of other companies to help you stretch your budgetPension contributions to help you save for your retirementShareSave scheme that enables you to save monthly and buy Dunelm shares at a discounted rate, building up your investments for a rainy dayContinuous training and coaching to ensure you feel confident in your current role and ready for any new challengesAccess to wellbeing support as and when you need it, including an online GP for you and your immediate familyColleague networks that give everyone a voice and create an environment where we all feel at homeOutstanding development opportunities and all the support you need to grow your career the way you want25 days annual holiday plus your birthday off to celebrate, and another day when you move home, so you can get settled inGenerous discounts on all our own products, in-store and online to help you make your house a homeCycle to work scheme to help you keep your fitness up and your travel costs downCharity day off (paid, of course) so you can volunteer for a charity that matters to youFree on-site parking (excluding London office) and good public transport linksHow did we get here? Today, Dunelm is a leader in the 11bn UK homewares market. With over 200 stores across the country and a successful online operation – dunelm.com – we offer over 60,000 products across a broad range of categories. But where did it all begin?1979Founder, Bill Adderley and his wife Jean take on a stall in Leicester Market selling curtains. Within a month, they make 600% profit.1984First bricks-and-mortar store founded in Churchgate, Leicester.1988With momentum growing, first flagship store opens in Leicester, East Street, offering warehouse facilities for expansion across the region.1991First superstore opens in Rotherham, offering premium brands such as Dorma, which the company goes on to acquire.1996Bill's son Will is appointed CEO of the company, following in his father's footsteps.1999Now a household name in the Midlands, Dunelm Mill opens a head office with warehouse facilities in Syston, Leicestershire.2001The acquisition of a small custom-made curtains business marks the start of Dunelm's made-to-measure service.2002A landmark year as Dunelm Mill opens its 50th store and a new central warehouse in Burton. The company goes on to open new stores at a rate of 10 each year.2005A fully shoppable website goes live, with a dedicated warehouse below our Radcliffe store2006Dunelm floated on the London Stock Exchange, marking the beginning of a new era for the company.2010In Liverpool, the company opens its 100th store, having celebrated its 30th birthday in 2009.2011To accommodate continued growth, Dunelm builds a new head office in Syston.2013Company rebrands from 'Dunelm Mill' to 'Dunelm' – reflecting what our customers have called us for years.2016Our family grew to include Worldstores.2018Nick Wilkinson joins the business as our new CEO.2021To accommodate our continued growth, Dunelm opens a fourth warehouse in Daventry.2022Launch of our ‘Conscious Choice’ collection – homeware that lasts longer and is made from more sustainable materials.2024First Central London store in Westfield.2024Expanded into the Republic of Ireland, acquiring Home Focus at Hickey’s.2025Opened our 200th store in Merthyr Tydfil.2025Clo Moriarty joins as CEO, taking the reins from Nick Wilkinson. How to applyHere you'll find all the information needed to make a great application Our application process You're ready to apply - here's some information about what to expect. Hints and tips Okay, so you've found the job you want. What can you do to give yourself the best chance of success? FAQs If you have some questions and queries about the process, we're here to answer those for you. Senior Finance Manager - TradingExternal Advertising Start DatePosted:25 Aug 2026All LocationsLeicester, United KingdomAll Locations is a required field

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