Senior Business Analyst

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the success of Irish whiskey globally. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, achieving +10% net sales growth globally in FY23. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets around the world.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son, and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network.

In 2022, we announced our ambition to significantly reduce carbon emissions across our distilling operations at Midleton Distillery in addition to our plans to invest in a new distillery on a site adjacent to our existing operations in Midleton.

We employ over 800 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is a worldwide leader in the spirits and wine industry, blending traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art brand-building, and global distribution technologies. Our prestigious portfolio of premium to luxury brands includes Absolut vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur and Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes. Our mission is to ensure the long-term development of our brands with full respect for people and the environment, while empowering our employees around the world to be ambassadors of our purposeful, inclusive, and responsible culture of authentic conviviality. Pernod Ricard’s consolidated sales amounted to € 12,137 million in fiscal year FY23.

About the role

This role is responsible for providing sound business analysis and insights on the performance and forecasts of Irish Distillers’ brands globally, including Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton & Spot whiskeys. The Senior International Business Analyst plays an integral role in communicating brand performance and highlighting key topics to the business in a timely manner, helping to support alignment with the strategic ambition of Irish Distillers Limited (IDL).

As a finance business partner, the Senior International Business Analyst also acts as a key support to the International Marketing Team with responsibility for maintaining budgetary control of Central Advertising & Promotional (A&P) spend for IDL’s portfolio of brands.

As part of the overall reporting and analysis responsibilities, the successful candidate will be expected to drive improvements in reporting capabilities and efficiencies, primarily by leveraging automation and Microsoft Power BI with the support of the Transformation team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Brand Performance Monitoring

• Perform P&L analysis of IDL brands’ monthly performance, highlighting key drivers of the results and red flagging issues.
• Responsible for the delivery of the international brand performance reports (monthly and rolling forecasts) which are shared with the wider business.
• Responsible for presenting brand performance updates to the IDL Leadership Team, IMT and other key stakeholders.
• Produce ad hoc analyses that facilitates a deeper level of understanding of the key drivers of financial performance.
• Act as a finance business partner to the Business Acceleration Team by providing financial data and analysis as required (Market Co. interactions, HQ business reviews etc.).
• Lead consolidation and analysis of Market Companies’ Strat Planning/3 Year Plan submissions where required.
• Act as a key point of contact for internal communications in relation to financial communications and press releases.
• Support the digital finance agenda by driving continuous improvements in reporting capability and efficiencies by leveraging Microsoft Power BI.

Advertising & Promotional Control

• Coordinate the rolling forecast Central A&P process with the IMT and Business Strategy team.
• Work closely with the IMT to ensure budgetary controls are in place for the Central A&P budget – monitor and report on A&P spend monthly as well as manage and communicate on risks and opportunities.
• Contribute to the bi-annual business review presentations with HQ.

Other

• Support long term demand planning and financial forecasting for IDL’s portfolio of whiskeys.
• Prepare brand P&L forecasting to support the annual impairment review.
• Support other strategic business / brand projects by providing analytical based decision support capability.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Degree level qualification in Commerce/Accounting/Business or related discipline essential (qualified accountant – ACA, ACCA or CIMA or similar qualification desirable
• >2 years PQE required
• Experience working within business analysis for a multi-national/FMCG company
• Experience in financial analysis is required
• Working knowledge of ERP systems SAP or Oracle
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, in particular Excel (advanced) & PowerPoint
• Excellent planning, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good commercial awareness and business partnering orientation
• Working knowledge of Power BI desirable
• Strong work ethic and a highly motivated self-starter with demonstrated efficient work methods
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage several priorities at once
• Experience in leading and following up financial agendas and priorities across the business
• Inquisitive nature with very strong analytical & problem-solving skills
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong relationship building & influencing skills at all levels within an organisation
• Proven team player
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Ability to adapt to new / changing requirements
• Convivial in nature, transparent, direct and honest person in communication and behaviour
• Excited & ready for a new challenge

Skills

• Strong people management skills, including the ability and desire to lead, support and develop direct reports.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and the ability to interact with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to work effectively while managing numerous workstreams to tight timelines.
• Ability to interact with non-finance departments, understanding their key requirements and tailoring processes to satisfy these requirements.
• Ability to grow high talent teams

LIFE AT IRISH DISTILLERS

At Irish Distillers, we live and love whiskey. Our shared spirit is guided by our values because we believe special things happen when Real, Remarkable and Responsible people come together. We’re proud to be part of the Irish Distillers and Pernod Ricard family, and the magic moments we create through our brands.

Our culture is a blend of curiosity and craic, where everyone can be the author of their own verse. Our enthusiasm for what we do is infectious. The spirit we share gives us purpose and makes life at Irish Distillers special. And what’s life without a little spirit?

WHAT WE OFFER

We understand our people are our special ingredient. We treat our employees with respect and offer an environment that is engaging, supportive and collaborative. We understand that employees require different supports at different stages of their working lives and our benefits, perks and programmes look to support your employee journey. We want to make you feel recognised and valued for your contribution to our shared success.

Some of offerings include;

Hybrid working ; A blended working arrangement of up to 3 days a week working from where you work best

Profit share ; - An annual profit share scheme to reward your contribution to the company’s success.

Product allowance ; an annual allowance to spend on our portfolio of products and merchandise, for you to enjoy responsibly.

People Development : We enable continuous development for our people at every stage of their careers through our people development, online learning, and leadership training programmes. 

Family leave : fully paid maternity, parent and paternity leave, allowing you spend precious time with your new family member 

Parental Support : Our ‘Reconnect’ programme includes access to a workplace parenting coach, a phased return to work and a supportive environment for new parents

Health & Wellbeing ; Our Wellbeing Programme “THRIVE” supports employees across the three main pillars: Life, Body and Mind

Charity Days : up to 2 days paid leave every year to volunteer at a charity of their choice

Like a well-blended whiskey, we believe that diverse perspectives make us better and we welcome people from all backgrounds, experiences, orientations, and differences to create together the spirit that makes us great.

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,448 million in FY20.

Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines.

Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders.

The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics, as illustrated by the 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis.

Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.