Opex Budget & Cost Management Lead

We're Hiring: Opex Budget & Cost Management Lead

Business Unit: Merchant Division

Function: Finance

Report to: Head of Finance

Role Purpose

The Merchant Division is seeking an experienced finance professional to take ownership of the divisional operating expenditure (opex) budget. The role is responsible for the end-to-end management of opex across the division, including cost collation, cost allocation, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, intercompany charges, and cost center accountability. This role will play a key part in the division-wide rollout of Microsoft Dynamics 365, ensuring data integrity, correct financial dimensions, and enhanced cost visibility across the division.

Primary Focus

To manage and optimise the divisional opex framework by ensuring accurate cost allocation, effective cost center management, reliable reporting, disciplined budgeting, and strong stakeholder accountability while supporting the successful implementation of Dynamics 365 and driving continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibility Areas & Associated Tasks Cost Collation & Allocation

Manage the consolidation of operating costs recorded across multiple legal entities.

• Allocate costs accurately to the correct cost centers across the division.
• Ensure consistency and completeness of cost allocation methodologies.
• Investigate and resolve misallocations, unallocated costs, and data inconsistencies.

Cost Center Framework & Reporting

Implement and continuously improve the divisional cost center framework.

• Design and maintain cost center reporting that is accurate, timely, and actionable.
• Develop variance analysis reporting comparing actual performance to budget and prior periods.
• Provide meaningful insights and commentary on cost drivers and trends.

Business Partnering & Accountability

Partner with cost center owners across the division to support effective cost management.

• Facilitate regular spend reviews and variance discussions.
• Hold cost center owners accountable for budget performance and corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary finance contact for opex-related queries. Dynamics 365 Rollout

Support the division-wide implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 from a cost management perspective.

• Ensure transactions are processed correctly with the required financial dimensions.
• Define and maintain dimension standards and data quality controls.
• Train and support finance and operational teams on correct transaction processing and reporting requirements.

Opex Budgeting & Forecasting

Lead the annual divisional opex budget process from planning through to approval.

• Coordinate budgeting timelines, templates, consolidation, review, and sign-off.
• Challenge budget submissions to ensure alignment with divisional objectives.
• Maintain forecasts and identify financial risks and opportunities.

Intercompany Charges

Own and manage the intercompany charging process across the division.

• Apply and maintain documented allocation methodologies and charging principles.
• Ensure intercompany charges are processed accurately and on time.
• Reconcile balances and resolve discrepancies with entity finance teams.

Key Competencies Required

• Cost Accounting & Cost Allocation
• Cost Center Management
• Opex Budgeting & Forecasting
• Financial Reporting & Analysis
• Intercompany Accounting
• Dynamics 365 & ERP Systems Knowledge
• Stakeholder Management & Business Partnering
• Process Improvement & Change Management
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Financial Planning & Cost Control

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant finance qualification (e.g. CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA, or equivalent) or demonstrable equivalent experience in management accounting or financial management.
• Proven experience in cost accounting, cost center management, and opex budgeting within a multi-entity or divisional environment.
• Hands-on ERP experience; Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation experience is highly advantageous.
• Experience with intercompany accounting, reconciliations, and cost allocation methodologies.
• Strong experience in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and stakeholder engagement.

Preferred Certifications

• CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA, or equivalent Finance Qualification
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Certification
• Financial Management or Business Analysis Certification

Ready to Drive Cost Excellence?

If you're a finance professional with a passion for cost management, financial planning, stakeholder partnership, process improvement, and operational excellence, this is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the Merchant Division while helping shape the future of financial reporting and cost accountability.