Finance Graduate - Finance

This vacancy has now expired, and is not accepting any new applications.

Role types
Grad Scheme
Role description

The Finance function at Heinz is looking to hire candidates with the potential to become the future leaders of the Finance function and Organisation. Heinz believes it is critical to have a robust leadership pipeline and that graduates joining their Finance programme have the ability, hunger, ambition and passion to achieve. It is also essential that they have a mixture of both excellent academics and extracurricular involvement.

Finance plays a crucial role within Heinz as it is partnered to all other parts of the business. Split into 4 financial divisions, there are interactions with all of the functions within the business.
The 4 divisions are:
• Supply Chain (Chris Stone)
• Commercial – Sales and Marketing (Jill Pemberton)
• Financial Controlling (Peter Thomlinson)
• Financial Planning (Chris Winter)

Those who wish to succeed within finance at Heinz, should not only have analytical and numerical skills, but also be able to fit into the team culture. Having the ability to speak up, make your voice heard and enjoy working in a united and non-hierarchical environment is essential. Integrity is an important value within Heinz and although the team is very driven towards delivering its numbers, it will not do this at the cost of longer term business health.

Most of the 120-strong Finance department is based in Hayes Park, although a number are also based in the factories across UK and Ireland. Graduates will be expected to travel during their programme, and will spend time near Norwich or Kendal (North West) during their rotation within Finance.

Finance Graduate Role

The 2 year programme will see graduates doing two different rotations.

In year one, graduates will spend time in either:

Commercial
Headed up by Jill Pemberton, graduates will be working in the Finance function directly supporting the Marketing department. They could be supporting a Category Marketing Director (e.g. soup) appraising new product development, dealing with pricing, or doing competitor analysis. An ability to get on with strong characters in the Marketing team is important.

Financial Controlling
Includes Processing, Accounts Payable, Compliance and Capital but will normally see graduates in the Reporting role. They will be dealing with the banking aspects of the business; running daily reports, dealing with currencies, ledgers and keeping on top of the performance of the business. Communication, influencing and being practical are important skills, as often grads will be working with other sites getting remote accounting staff to provide analysis and justification for financial transactions.

In year two of the programme, both the graduates will be in the Supply Chain Finance team.
 

Supply Chain
Headed up by Chris Stone, the Supply Chain rotation will typically be based in one of the factories across the UK and Ireland.  Graduates will be given a very real role with a lot of responsibility. They could be analysing problems within factory financials, perhaps looking at savings and how to reduce waste. They may also be doing appraisals for labour costs. A large amount of support will be given to successful graduates.

Training & Support

On joining Heinz, Finance graduates together with graduates from across other functions will come together in a one week induction programme that includes factory site visits and presentations from senior Managers in the business. This will allow them to gain an understanding into the Organisation as well as each of the functions and how they fit into the operation. Following the initial training week, they will start their roles within the Finance function.

Heinz Graduates will be sponsored through either the CIMA or the ACCA qualification (personal choice) and be given the appropriate time off to undergo exams. They will also be given training and support in their day to day roles, and a mentor will be appointed for the full duration of the scheme.

Graduates will be in ‘real jobs’ and be given a large amount of responsibility. It will be up to the individual to shine and make use of all of the support and opportunities provided as the approach will not be to ‘spoon-feed’ information.

They will also get exposure to Dave Woodward (UK & Ireland President) and Senior Management, who will take an active role in identifying potential leadership. In addition to this, all finance graduates will gain exposure within the function by attending quarterly meetings with the Finance Exec Team.

Throughout the scheme, the Finance graduates will join graduates from other functions in group workshops to further the development of core interpersonal skills and support the business technical and financial skills gained.

At the end of the 2 year programme, individuals will be placed in roles that take into account their performance and achievement throughout the scheme together with personal interests as well as the business needs. For real high-flyers there is the potential to be poached off the scheme after 18 months. As the finance function is moving more and more towards a European and worldwide business approach, the opportunities for exporting talent into Europe and globally have increased therefore the ideal candidate will be open and flexible to embrace such opportunities.

Background

Requirements
• Culture fit/Social skills are the most important aspect
• Degree: Minimum 2:1 in any of the preferred disciplines
• Preferred Business Studies, Finance, Economics, and Maths (Exemption expected)
• Exemption within CIMA/ACCA expected for non-Finance related subjects
• A Levels: A’s and B’s – Maths not essential
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills e.g. proof of sports/voluntary work/other extracurricular activities
• Work experience such as an internship or placement year

Preferred Skills
• Commercial and hunger to succeed – entrepreneurial spirit NOT entrepreneurs
• Down to earth and personable
• Effective relationship building with other parts of the business
• Good numerical competence

 

This vacancy has now expired, and is not accepting any new applications.

Finance Graduate Scheme