Inventory FP&A Manager

Role creation to drive financial reporting & control on RL EMEA common inventory and validate, influence and challenge inventory management decisions (buy, allocation, destruction, liquidation) cross-functionally with Merchandising & Production Planning, Finance and Supply Chain partners. The Inventory FP&A Manager will work as an integral member of the regional finance team driving inventory improvement across RL’s brands, geographies and sales channels. This role will be responsible for the oversight of inventory aging, month-end supervision, movement analysis, and forecasting for inventory across the EMEA network with ability to efficiently work. The position will also be responsible for other related Wholesale FP&A areas of control such as margin, samples and DC expenses.

Primary responsibilities include:

Inventory Planning and Reporting: Timely deliveries of monthly inventory management reporting deck, monthly forecasts and close, annual budget and LRP, KPI Reporting, Seasonal Buy Reviews.

Analyse Inventory actuals with Inventory Planning team (season mix vs expectation, carryover actualisation, etc.)

Support Inventory accounting on high risk Inventory-related topics where needed (e.g. WHS future returns).

Maintain and manage NRV accrual process & control. Liaise with external auditors on overall inventory strategy and NRV calculation.

Effective business partnership with the Merchandising Planning team, with focus to align on agendas between Merchandise Planning & Finance team to achieve common business objectives.

Validate with main business partners and Finance any decisions around excess stock, carryovers, de-reservation, transfers, 3rd party liquidation, disposition.

Become a process and system expert, while continuously develop and streamline inventory processes as the business evolves.

Serve as the key contact for financial topics related to EMEA’s inventory.

Monitor and signal inventory headwinds in a timely manner enabling implementation of course correct actions to reduce business impact.

Perform Seasonal Buy Review to ensure Merchandise’s Seasonal OTBs are aligned with FP&A’s projections.

Liaise with Brand Planning to proactively anticipate margin and samples buy.

Performs other inventory related duties or special projects as assigned.

University Degree in Finance & Accounting.

First experience in main audit firm strongly desired.

Experience ideally within FMCG industry in a Finance organization.

Strong communication and influencing skills.

Experience in large complex organisation and appetite to drive change.

Natural team player and ability to establish sound business partnerships.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Attention to detail and diligence, works with a high degree of accuracy.

Solid interpersonal and communication skills.

Strong computer skills (particularly strong working knowledge of Excel, including V-Lookup, Pivot & Functions).