Heidi Docking
Essex/London Based
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in management reporting, long-term business planning, and client relationship management. Demonstrates strong analytical-thinking and advanced Excel knowledge to deliver strategic business advice and financial reporting and analysis. Proven ability in cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and change management to drive successful project coordination and sales forecasting. Committed to leveraging business insightfulness and strategic thinking for effective decision making and margin analysis.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Finance Business Partner
Poundland
Watford, Hertfordshire
03.2020 - Current
- Enhanced financial efficiency by advising budget holders and operational managers
- Contributed expert input to annual budgeting process aligning with corporate goals +4% LFL Sales growth
- Reviewed financial performance to develop and implement targeted improvement strategies
- Generated KPI reports enhancing operational efficiency and performance
- Built relationships and enhanced brand awareness with stakeholders
- Utilised advanced Excel skills to analyse extensive data sets efficiently
- Developed and applied financial modelling tools aligned with current trends and methodologies
- Analysed sales, margin and cost variances, advising line managers on potential issues
- Enhanced financial transparency for stakeholders with timely and precise reporting
- Enhanced forecasting accuracy by developing robust financial models
- Collaborated with budget holders to understand monthly report variances
- Conducted frequent budget variance analyses with budget holders
- Collaborated with business management to establish and monitor annual budgets
- Advised management on financial strategy development
- Enhanced financial workflows to improve efficiency and maintain accuracy
- Fostered effective collaborations with non-financial colleagues
- Reviewed budgets and forecasted to support Operations team
- Reviewed business performance against budget, identifying discrepancies swiftly
- Developed and delivered precise financial forecasts
- Provided strong management of finance team, meeting high-quality service standards, KPIs and deadlines.
- Developed monthly management packs to support senior-level decision-making
- · Help drive a consistent and challenging monthly and quarterly performance review process with the Trading teams to review the monthly P&Ls and WSSIs
- Liaised with budget holders with monthly reporting to understand variances.
Consultant Merchandise Business Analyst
Retail with Clarity
07.2019 - 03.2020
- Identified deviations from standard operating procedures, understanding causes and preventing reoccurrence .
- Guided clients toward improved organisational structures and better solutions for identified problems.
- Enhanced company performance through meticulous data analysis +10% sales
- Created tailored solutions by understanding and translating customer requirements into functional specifications.
- Developed robust financial models for forecast planning, contributing to sound business decisions.
Merchandise Business Analyst
Calvetron Brands / Jaques Vert
08.2012 - 07.2019
- Managed multiple stakeholders, ensuring clear communication throughout projects' lifespan.
- Performed quality assurance tests to ensure product reliability and efficiency before deployment.
- Facilitated smooth project execution by developing comprehensive project plans.
- Prepared proposals with revised methods, new strategies and redefined functions.
- Led cross-functional teams towards successful project completion on schedule and within budget constraints.
Merchandise Planning Manager – Central European Kids Essentials
Tesco
06.2009 - 07.2012
- 713 stores across five countries in Central Europe.
- Turnover £56m
- Direct Reports: 2x Trainee Merchandiser and 2x Assistant Merchandiser
- Setting up and planning department KPI's and Strategy.
- Robust Trading Process
- Drive, develop an manage top line strategy for department
- Effective capacity planning
- Plan and manage margin / OTB in line with strategy
- Plan and manage department WSSI
- Development of on an efficient sign off pack
- Coach and develop team and wider category team
- Cross category trade planning
Education
GCSE’s - English Language, English Literature, Math’s, Science (double award), German, Religious Education, History, and Physical Education
St Marks Roman Catholic Comprehensive School
Harlow 09.1989 - 06.1994
NVQ Passes - Word-processing, Spreadsheets, Databases And RSA Administration
Harlow College
Harlow 09.1994 - 06.1995
City and Guilds - Basic AutoCAD
Harlow College
Harlow 02.1996 - 06.1996
Courses Attended - Approach, Freelance Graphic, AmiPro, Business Words, Negotiation Skills, Time and Data Management, Core Skills, Business Objects and Range Management
07.1997 - 08.2003
Skills
- Executive Reporting
- Strategic Business Planning
- Cross functional collaboration
- Statistical analysis
- Analytical-thinking
- Stakeholder engagement
- Margin analysis
- Product knowledge
- Decision making
- Change management
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Sales forecasting
- Budget development
- Project coordination
- Business insightfulness
- Strategic thinking
Affiliations
- Tennis
- Fashion
- Theatre
- Travel
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Finance Business Partner
Poundland
03.2020 - Current
Consultant Merchandise Business Analyst
Retail with Clarity
07.2019 - 03.2020
Merchandise Business Analyst
Calvetron Brands / Jaques Vert
08.2012 - 07.2019
Merchandise Planning Manager – Central European Kids Essentials
Tesco
06.2009 - 07.2012
Courses Attended - Approach, Freelance Graphic, AmiPro, Business Words, Negotiation Skills, Time and Data Management, Core Skills, Business Objects and Range Management
07.1997 - 08.2003
City and Guilds - Basic AutoCAD
Harlow College
02.1996 - 06.1996
NVQ Passes - Word-processing, Spreadsheets, Databases And RSA Administration
Harlow College
09.1994 - 06.1995
GCSE’s - English Language, English Literature, Math’s, Science (double award), German, Religious Education, History, and Physical Education
St Marks Roman Catholic Comprehensive School
09.1989 - 06.1994
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