Finance Business Partner

Role : Finance Business Partner (Audit background preferred) Reports to: Commercial Finance Manager Location: Warrington (hybrid) Salary: circa £65,000 + Car Allowance, Bonus, Private Health Medlock Partners are delighted to be partnering with a Global Engineering business based in the Cheshire area as they look to appoint a technically competent, yet commercially focused Finance Business Partner. Reporting to the Commercial Finance Manager, the Finance Business Partner will partner closely with operational leaders, commercial teams and central finance to drive profitability, improve insight and strengthen financial capability across the business. This is a high-impact role with broad exposure, senior stakeholder engagement and genuine influence over decision-making, performance and long-term planning. Key Responsibilities; Full month-end ownership, including journals, variance analysis and reporting to site management and Board-level stakeholders Oversight of commercial administration and pricing activity, including inter-site pricing and margin transparency Forecasting, performance analysis and business insight Close partnership with commercial, trading, supply chain and operational management teams Supporting commercial negotiations and supplier contract renewals, including financial modelling and scenario analysis Preparation of investment proposals, long-term capacity modelling and strategic planning support Line management of one direct report Review and approval of month-end journals and reporting for senior leadership Financial oversight of stock, production, stock takes and operational performance Forecasting, analytics and business partnering with technical and commercial teams Modelling commercial impacts for contract renewals and supplier negotiations Supporting new projects, long-term planning and investment cases Evaluating new contracts and renewals using a standard framework covering pricing, cost-to-serve, material flow, processing requirements, transport costs and scenario testing Reviewing contract performance vs plan (volumes, yields, cost variances, haulage costs, recharge items, etc.) Providing proactive challenge and insight to commercial stakeholders to improve margin and profitability Supporting the development of high-quality internal reporting, MI and financial capability across the business Driving improvements in forecasting, analysis, financial processes and reporting tools Delivering financial modelling, market analysis and investment evaluation for senior leadership and UK commercial directors Supporting both UK finance and commercial teams in strengthening understanding of numbers and reinforcing strong financial governance Key requirements: Professional finance qualification (preferably ACA) or equivalent experience Strong financial modelling and analytical skills Proven experience in business partnering, commercial finance or operational finance Ability to challenge constructively, communicate clearly and influence senior stakeholders Experience supporting contract evaluation, pricing or operational performance (advantageous) Comfort working in a fast-paced, multi-site or complex environment Strong organisational skills, curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset This role would ideally suit a practice/audit trained finance professional with a commercial mindset who is looking for a position that delivers high impact and full visibility at a senior level. You will possess the ability to influence commercial outcomes and operational performance by taking on a broad, influential and high profile remit within a global organisation. In return the successful candidate will join an elite finance function that offers full training and support, a comprehensive salary and package, coupled with un parallelled progression opportunities. The business operates a “investment in people” culture, is globally conscious and boasts a highly impressive staff retention rate.