Leigh Crowden
Glenfield
Summary
Chartered finance professional with over 20 years experience with specialisms in supply chain & distribution finance.
Seasoned professional with focus on optimising supply chain operations. Proven track record of driving cost reductions and improving efficiency through strategic planning and process improvements.
Delivered EBIT improvements directly and indirectly through analytics, commercial negotiation and strong communication skills.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work history
Head of Supply Chain Finance
City Plumbing Supplies Ltd
Crick, Northamptonshire
05.2024 - Current
- Rebuild of team following restructure pre commencement of role. Recruiting/training of new direct reports and successful stakeholder management of new Chief Supply Chain Officer with improved insights to business within first 12 months.
- Full end to end stakeholder management of 3PL provider and financial ownership of multi site (350 branch) final mile logistics solution - £75m annual spend.
- Led on contract negotiations for seafreight, reduced year on year costs by £500k including reduction of £100k forex charges.
- 2 direct reports, implemented and created several process controls, nominated for finance award in first 2 months, probation period signed off early.
European Financial Controller
DHL Supply Chain
Rugby, West Midlands
08.2020 - 05.2024
- Commercial lead for £100m multi site European Transport/Warehouse solution - closed & open book commercials- increased overall account by 2% by improving controls on unbilled activity.
- Post Brexit created several several contractual solutions for customer inc creating Polish tax entity, reduced potential liability for DHL/TJX by £800k.
- Ownership of all contract specific FP&A/Controlling duties.
- Management responsibility for 10 heads over FM/AFM/FA levels -2 x CFO award nominations.
- Recruited back into DHL via finance director from DHL Freight - direct approach
Finance Business Partner
GXO Logistics (Formerly XPO Supply Chain)
Tamworth, Staffordshire
06.2017 - 07.2020
- Established finance team and implemented accounting controls for new account start-up.
- Consolidated three 3PL sites into one 650,000 sq ft NDC during go-live phase.
- Created and implemented all financial reporting suite both internal & external from standing start.
- Delivered weekly operational and finance presentations to customers during implementation.
- During adverse go live process, gave additional insight to customer activity driving adverse costs to influence behaviour change to mitigate saving £450k
- Secured additional £150k gainshare settlement with customer during Covid-19 pandemic by direct presentation and negotiation.
- Generated unbudgeted gainshare benefit for XPO through effective negotiation strategies.
Finance Business Partner
DHL Freight
Coalville, Leicestershire
03.2016 - 06.2017
- Executed end-to-end accounts creation for two DHL products, analysing balance sheets and forecasting third-party costs.
- Delivered monthly presentations to Product Directors, focusing on margin analysis and geographical performance of high-margin routes.
- Conducted monthly credit management meetings to assess DSO, liquidity, and working capital for top 25 accounts.
Finance Business Partner
Fresenius Medical Care
10.2015 - 03.2016
Finance Business Partner - Design
Walker Greenbank
Loughborough, Leicestershire
03.2015 - 10.2015
Business Analysis Manager
Antalis
Coalville, Leicestershire
01.2013 - 03.2015
Transactional & Commercial Roles
Various
East Midlands
03.2004 - 01.2013
Education
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Association of Accounting Technicians
A Levels A-C Physics Business Studies Engineering
10 GCSE's A-C
Army Reserve Commission -
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Skills
- Contract negotiations
- Financial forecasting
- Stakeholder management
- Cost reduction strategies
- Supply chain optimisation
- Strategic thinking
- International shipping knowledge
- Financial analysis
- Process controls
Affiliations
- Trail ultramarathons and all other fitness
- Classic motorcycle renovations
- Cooking and recipes
Timeline
Head of Supply Chain Finance
City Plumbing Supplies Ltd
05.2024 - Current
European Financial Controller
DHL Supply Chain
08.2020 - 05.2024
Finance Business Partner
GXO Logistics (Formerly XPO Supply Chain)
06.2017 - 07.2020
Finance Business Partner
DHL Freight
03.2016 - 06.2017
Finance Business Partner
Fresenius Medical Care
10.2015 - 03.2016
Finance Business Partner - Design
Walker Greenbank
03.2015 - 10.2015
Business Analysis Manager
Antalis
01.2013 - 03.2015
Transactional & Commercial Roles
Various
03.2004 - 01.2013
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Association of Accounting Technicians
A Levels A-C Physics Business Studies Engineering
10 GCSE's A-C
Army Reserve Commission -
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
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