Financial Analyst

The Financial Analyst will support the Retail Division of Mohamed Hilal Group by providing accurate and meaningful financial analysis to support commercial and operational decision-making. The role will be responsible for analysing retail sales, margins, store performance, operating costs, budgets, forecasts, and key financial KPIs across the Division.The role will work closely with Finance, Retail Operations, Brand, Merchandising, Commercial, and other relevant teams to identify trends, highlight opportunities and risks, and provide actionable insights to improve profitability and business performance.Key ResponsibilitiesRetail Financial AnalysisAnalyse sales, revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, and profitability across retail stores, brands, and locations.Monitor and analyse daily, weekly, and monthly retail sales performance against targets.Prepare store and brand-level profitability analysis and performance reports.Track key retail KPIs including sales growth, gross margin, average transaction value, units per transaction, conversion rates, and sales per square foot, where applicable.Identify trends, variances, and key drivers impacting retail performance.Provide recommendations to improve sales, profitability, and cost efficiency.Budgeting & ForecastingSupport the preparation of annual budgets and financial forecasts for the Retail Division.Work with Retail Operations and Brand teams to develop realistic sales and expense assumptions.Monitor actual performance against budget and forecast and provide variance analysis.Support periodic reforecasting based on business performance, market conditions, and operational changes.Prepare financial projections for new stores, store expansions, relocations, and other retail initiatives.Store & Brand PerformanceConduct financial performance reviews across individual stores and brands.Analyse store-level operating costs, sales trends, margins, and profitability.Identify underperforming stores and investigate the underlying financial and operational drivers.Support management in evaluating store performance and developing improvement plans.Analyse new store business cases, including projected sales, operating costs, investment requirements, and expected returns.Monitor performance of new stores against approved business plans and forecasts.Inventory & Commercial AnalysisAnalyse inventory levels, stock turnover, ageing, markdowns, and sell-through performance in coordination with the relevant teams.Support analysis of gross margins and profitability by brand, product category, and channel.Review the financial impact of promotions, discounts, campaigns, and commercial initiatives.Support pricing and promotional analysis to understand their impact on sales and profitability.Identify opportunities to improve inventory efficiency and reduce financial exposure from slow-moving stock.Management ReportingPrepare regular financial and commercial performance reports for Retail Management and Senior Management.Develop dashboards and management presentations highlighting key financial and operational KPIs.Provide clear explanations of significant variances and business performance trends.Present financial insights in a clear and commercially focused manner.Support management with ad-hoc financial analysis and business cases.Financial Modelling & Business SupportDevelop financial models to support retail expansion, new store openings, brand launches, and other strategic initiatives.Conduct scenario and sensitivity analysis to assess potential business outcomes.Evaluate the financial impact of proposed retail investments and operational decisions.Support commercial teams with financial insights for negotiations, promotions, and business planning.Identify opportunities for cost optimisation and improved profitability.Data & SystemsExtract and analyse financial and operational data from ERP and retail systems.Ensure accuracy and consistency of data used in financial reporting and analysis.Develop and maintain Excel-based financial models, reports, and dashboards.Identify opportunities to improve reporting processes and automate recurring analysis.Work closely with Finance and relevant business teams to resolve data discrepancies.Key DeliverablesAccurate and timely retail financial performance reports.Monthly budget versus actual and forecast variance analysis.Store and brand profitability analysis.Sales, margin, and expense performance tracking.Financial analysis for new stores, expansions, and retail projects.Retail KPI dashboards and management reports.Actionable recommendations to improve profitability and cost efficiency.Key InterfacesInternal: Finance & Accounting, Retail Operations, Brand Management, Merchandising, Commercial, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, E-commerce, and Senior Management.External: Auditors, consultants, landlords, suppliers, and other external stakeholders, where required.Performance ProfileStrong analytical and numerical skills with excellent attention to detail.Strong understanding of retail financial and commercial drivers.Ability to translate financial data into clear business insights.Commercially minded with strong problem-solving capabilities.Ability to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-brand retail environment.Proactive approach with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.Qualifications & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.3–5 years of relevant experience in financial analysis, FP&A, commercial finance, or management reporting.Retail experience is strongly preferred, particularly within a multi-store or multi-brand environment.Strong experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and variance analysis.Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, financial modelling, and data analysis.Experience working with ERP and retail management systems.Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar ERP systems would be an advantage.Professional qualifications such as CMA, ACCA, CIMA, or CFA would be an advantage.