Kathie Flanagan
Witney,UK
Summary
Proactive and results driven commercial finance professional with considerable experience of budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting in a hospitality environment. Known for excellent communication and teamwork abilities. Safe pair of hands, loves the detail but ready to use and present problem-solving, data analysis, and financial planning skills in context of the bigger picture.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
6043
6043
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Finance Business Partner, Catering
Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation
Woodstock, UK
11.2022 - 08.2025
- Blenheim Palace catering was brought in-house from Jan 2023. This was a new role. I am also responsible for managing financial reporting for £10m Roof Restoration Project.
- Established and implemented P&L and financial processes for tracking cost centre performance across four catering outlets and conference & banqueting with joint revenue of over £8m.
- Designed budget templates, generating daily revenue calculations by outlet based on visitor conversion & spend per head models, category level COGS and permanent vs seasonal payroll split across outlets by kitchen and front of house.
- Researched & presented proposal for purchase to pay approval & stock management system for catering, signed off by CFO Jan 2024 & led project implementation. Project complete Nov. 2024 improving order process and inventory/working capital controls.
- Initiated joint project with Data Innovation Team to model seasonal hour payroll requirements achieving 1% improvement in staffing costs due to better rostering.
Commercial Finance Manager
Super7 Wholesale
Banbury, UK
08.2019 - 10.2022
- Managed Finance function for £18m annual turnover in Beers, Wines & Spirits international trading and £1.5m UK distribution channel for Japanese Whisky.
- Developed category-focused budgeting and cost analysis methods, resulting in superior financial insight and streamlined, efficient reporting procedures.
- Managed payroll including establishing direct company pension scheme.
- Developed deal-based FX Hedging system, replacing previous monthly revaluations with detailed performance insight and enhanced cash flow forecasting across 4 currency bank accounts.
- Formalised month end processes, documenting procedures to facilitate balance sheet reconciliations and ensure audit friendly working reports.
- Negotiated improved credit terms with suppliers through actively building strong working relationships emphasising shared reconciliations and on time payments.
- Revamped system for annual marine insurance renewal, reducing overall premium by providing accurate up-to-date data of stock in transit/warehousing.
- Developed and led company due diligence & compliance procedures, successfully concluding HMRC VAT/Duty audit in 2020.
Finance & Operations Manager
La Cava de Pyrene
La Rioja, Spain
01.2008 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: La Cava de Pyrene was a Wine Importer and Wholesaler owned by Les Caves de Pyrene Ltd, UK. We also managed two restaurants.
- Identified strategic advantages in evolving corporate structure from subsidiary to Spanish Limited Company and managed the change.
- Grew business from zero to €2 million turnover.
- Submitted consolidated management accounts, monitoring actual spend against cost centres working closely with the commission based commercial team and restaurant managers.
- Established financial accountancy procedures facilitating production & submission of statutory accounts including import duty declarations.
- Recruit, manage and developed office team of four to cover sales invoicing, credit control, customs clearance & reporting and purchasing.
- Cash flow improvement; successful negotiation with banks for invoice financing and customer direct debit facilities.
Senior Category Buyer
Sainsbury´s Supermarkets Ltd
London
01.1998 - 01.2002
- Planning, implementation and analysis of range, price, promotions, availability, and merchandising tactics.
- Business partnering with suppliers to agree prices, forecasting volume requirements. Hot Cross Bun Buyer for year 2000.
- Lead New Product Development team including consumer research, technical specifications, logistics and packaging to meet launch deadlines.
Assistant Locality Manager
Barnet Health Authority
London
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Setting priorities for community health strategy and planning.
- Networking and liaison across General Practice and Community Health Organisations.
- Review of management systems for projects supported by 5m development fund.
Education
Professional Qualification - Operational Level
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Certificate in Business Accounting -
CIMA
Post Graduate Certificate - Business Administration
Open University Business School
Certificate of Trading -
Sainsbury´s Supermarkets Limited
MSc - Health Promotion
King´s College London
01.1993 - 01.1995
MA - Anthropology
Peterhouse, Cambridge
01.1987 - 01.1990
Skills
- Self motivated, initiative taking leadership
- Forward thinking business insight
- Continuous improvement
- Change management
- Financial forecasting
- Project management
- Process enhancement, confident leveraging IT solutions
- Thrives on the detail
Personal Information
Custom
2020,Current,2024
Timeline
Finance Business Partner, Catering
Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation
11.2022 - 08.2025
Commercial Finance Manager
Super7 Wholesale
08.2019 - 10.2022
Finance & Operations Manager
La Cava de Pyrene
01.2008 - 01.2019
Senior Category Buyer
Sainsbury´s Supermarkets Ltd
01.1998 - 01.2002
Assistant Locality Manager
Barnet Health Authority
01.1996 - 01.1998
MSc - Health Promotion
King´s College London
01.1993 - 01.1995
MA - Anthropology
Peterhouse, Cambridge
01.1987 - 01.1990
Professional Qualification - Operational Level
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Certificate in Business Accounting -
CIMA
Post Graduate Certificate - Business Administration
Open University Business School
Certificate of Trading -
Sainsbury´s Supermarkets Limited
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