Planning & Performance SME

Entity: Finance Job Family Group: Finance Group Job Description: This is a role within the Castrol organisation and the successful candidate will become part of the Castrol ring-fence. If you are part of the ring-fence, it is expected that your employment will move with Castrol to new ownership. It's an exciting time to join bp. Meeting the energy challenge requires many different approaches and solutions. And as part of Finance Business & Technology (FBT), you’ll be fully connected into the world of bp. You’ll play an increasingly important part within a network of like-minded colleagues partnering on strategic projects that stretch across the globe. And it starts with you. There’s a world of opportunities to build new skills, challenge yourself and grow a long-term career at bp. And no matter where you work, your role will have meaning, purpose and impact. So, if you want to be part of a caring, supportive environment where you can realize your full potential, we’re with you. About the role To support the performance management agenda including gross margin, LBM actuals and forecast (B/S, Cash and RCOP), Cluster P&L & cost allocations and Sales MI (customers & products) for the local designated CASTROL lubricant businesses. The Planning & Performance Lead Analyst will need to maintain a proactive business partnering relationship between finance and the cluster sales director(s) and their teams, providing them with commercial support and market intelligence, and will develop and maintain a ‘one team’ relationship with the ARC and GBS/BPO teams. In this role You will Strategy and Planning Supports the annual planning process, ensuring plans are appropriately challenged and assured for the designated business(es). Produces detailed forecasts covering volume, revenue, cost, margin and RCOP as informed by the LBM process, drawing insights and highlighting areas where performance targets are not being met. Contributes to business case preparation & subsequent review of FMs & CAPEX expenditure. Business Partnering and Performance Insights Establish & maintain a proactive business partnering relationship between Finance and the local entity sales director(s) to ensure underlying performance is well understood, to proactively challenge and propose performance improvements, and to monitor & investigate anomalies & trends. Supports the Performance Management agenda for the entities in scope, ensuring robust & timely forecasts and deliver MI analysis and commentary for the leadership team. Partners with other business stakeholders to provide detailed analysis of focus areas of performance, providing insights and interventions and associated analysis (V&Os) ensuring integrity & sufficient challenge. Supervise and support sales & marketing initiatives (including pricing) to ensure effective tracking & accurate analysis of profitability. Own the Local monthly LBM financialization process and supporting processes – eg COGS & where applicable, Trade Loan forecasts, working with ARC and GSC analysts. Supports regular forward-looking competitor analysis and insight gathering. Performance Reporting Translates financial and operational performance for the businesses and evaluates and articulates the underlying delivery of actuals vs. latest forecasts monthly to incorporate into the plan and current outlook for the year. Provides input to the Cluster Head Office channel of the recharge process for the entities, ensuring costs are recharged to countries fairly and accurately Support the ARC manager, in partnership with GBS, in completing Close activities, and with the review and completion of BSI activities for relevant accounts. Support the drive for continuous improvement in MI to ensure integrity & accuracy and to meet advances in business requirements. Leadership Contribute to the Performance networks across all clusters to share takeaways and solutions What You will need to be successful Any kind of College Degree or Economics (High School) or equivalent experience Part qualified or qualified in a recognised national or international professional accountancy qualification e.g. CIMA, ACCA, ACA, CPA. Absolute fluency in “business English” is mandatory. A good understanding and use of MI tools (e.g. SAP BW, BIGS BO) and the underlying IT&S system (preferably SAP) Experience of reporting and MI processes (actuals, RF & plan) with a focus on performance analysis and intervention Able to analyse and summarise sophisticated information and prepared to drive performance improvements together with the business Ability to quickly assess areas requiring attention and/or intervention, with a strong demonstration of business partnering to drive business performance. Focuses effort and prioritises work to deliver business value; must be self-starter, highly motivated with the ability to connect with all levels of the organisation. Looks for ways to do things better, faster and more efficiently. Builds networks to enhance effectiveness a