Financial Operations Assistant

External Advertising Start DatePosted:
28 Apr 2025
Location
Leicester
Position
Finance
Vacancy Type
Permanent
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Overview

At Dunelm, our Finance team isn’t just about numbers — we’re the powerhouse behind smart decisions, smooth operations, and spotting golden opportunities for growth. Sure, we balance the books and manage procurement like pros, but we also dive deep into financial data to uncover patterns, trends, and hidden gems that help steer our business forward.

With around 80 brilliant minds on the team, we’re just the right size: small enough that no one gets lost in the crowd (or stuck doing the same thing every day), but big enough to offer real opportunities to grow, explore new areas, and occasionally show off your Excel wizardry. If you think finance is all grey suits and spreadsheets — think again. Here, we're making numbers exciting, decisions smarter, and opportunities bigger (and yes, we still get a strange thrill from a perfectly balanced ledger).

As part of our dynamic Finance Operations Team, the Finance Operations Assistant plays a crucial role in keeping the financial wheels turning smoothly. You'll be the hero who ensures our suppliers are paid accurately and on time, and that our group's cash and debt are reconciled and reported like clockwork — meeting (and exceeding) business expectations.

But this role isn’t just about keeping things ticking over — it’s about shaking things up! We’re looking for someone who’s ready to challenge the status quo, champion smarter ways of working, and help build a culture of continuous improvement, all while delivering outstanding service.

Success here is a team sport. Collaboration, curiosity, and a hunger to learn are key, especially as you’ll also get stuck into broader financial accounting and month-end activities. If you’re excited by numbers, passionate about making processes better, and love working with great people, then you’ll feel right at home with us.

D&I statement
Dunelm is committed to becoming a fully inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of sex, age, race, religion, ability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.
Work your way

Work your way

We want our colleagues to feel at home wherever they work, so that they are comfortable and can be their best selves. In addition, we want everyone to feel connected to the business, our strategy and the teams they work with.

Where hybrid working is applicable, colleagues need to strike the right balance to fulfil both of these important factors. You will find the right mix of being at home, in the office & out in the business, bearing in mind business needs, job role and level of responsibility.

Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword

Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here

From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area – and at every stage – of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Taking opportunities

Meet Amanda, our Chief Stores and People Director, who shares how she feels empowered to take opportunities every day, why Dunelm is her happy place, and why it’s a really exciting time to join us.

Where you’ll
be working

Here is where you'll be based, whether that's an office, or store or one of our sites.

Get Directions

Keep on growing

We want you to get as much out of working with us as possible. That's why we'll do everything we can to engage you in the process of learning, and encourage you to explore new opportunities around your particular skills and interests. For you, this includes:

Housewarming & Settling In
Housewarming & Settling In where you can find out more about the wider business, our culture, behaviours, networks and wellbeing support
Thrive, our learning and skills platform
Thrive, our learning and skills platform which gives you a blended, bite-sized, social learning experience with learning relevant to your role
Our Enterprise Leadership Programme
Our Enterprise Leadership Programme designed specifically for our strong growth potential Heads of Department to help them reach the next level in their career
Our INSPIRE Programme
Our INSPIRE Programme designed for our strong growth potential senior managers across the business to enhance their leadership capability
Our EXPLORE Programme
Our EXPLORE Programme designed to prepare our next generation of Line Managers
Personal Effectiveness
Personal Effectiveness workshops and self-led learning, also delivered through Thrive
Apprenticeships opportunities
Apprenticeships opportunities relevant to your role – from level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) through to Level 7 (equivalent to Masters)
Colleague Development Fund
Colleague Development Fund to support colleagues in accessing external training relevant to your role
Coaching and mentoring
Coaching and mentoring to support you in your current role and help you prepare for the next
Functional academies
Functional academies that offer training to support you in the technical aspects of your role
Self-awareness tools
Self-awareness tools to help you understand what really matters to you, and where your own talents and ambitions lie
Progress conversations
Progress conversations that reflect on how you're doing and define your focus areas for the coming months
Career conversations
Career conversations that explore what you want from your career, in light of your current capabilities, potential and future aspirations

Meet your team

Sasha, Finance Manager

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"There's a lot of knowledge between us and we learn from each other. But there's also plenty of scope to explore your own ideas."

Sasha, Finance Manager

Yaseen, Forecast & Modelling Analyst

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"Finance is often seen as boring, but it certainly isn't here. We're really involved with the business and it's genuinely good fun."

Yaseen, Forecast & Modelling Analyst

Rachel, L&D Programmes Manager

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"The experience I've gained is so diverse, and since I returned from maternity leave, my career has gone from strength to strength."

Rachel, L&D Programmes Manager

Abi, Internal Communications Manager

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"As a Wellbeing Buddy, I'm here to help colleagues talk openly and honestly about their mental health."

Abi, Internal Communications Manager

Rewards you deserve

Along with competitive salaries, we offer a range of other great benefits to recognise the unique contribution you bring.

Salary Advance

Salary Advance so you can access up to 50% of the money you've earned during the month, rather than having to wait until pay day

Instant discounts

Instant discounts with a range of other companies to help you stretch your budget

Pension contributions

Pension contributions to help you save for your retirement

ShareSave scheme

ShareSave scheme that enables you to save monthly and buy Dunelm shares at a discounted rate, building up your investments for a rainy day

Continuous training and coaching

Continuous training and coaching to ensure you feel confident in your current role and ready for any new challenges

Access to wellbeing support

Access to wellbeing support as and when you need it, including an online GP for you and your immediate family

Colleague networks

Colleague networks that give everyone a voice and create an environment where we all feel at home

Outstanding development opportunities

Outstanding development opportunities and all the support you need to grow your career the way you want

25 days annual holiday

25 days annual holiday plus your birthday off to celebrate, and another day when you move home, so you can get settled in

Generous discounts

Generous discounts on all our own products, in-store and online to help you make your house a home

Cycle to work scheme

Cycle to work scheme to help you keep your fitness up and your travel costs down

Charity day off

Charity day off (paid, of course) so you can volunteer for a charity that matters to you

Free on-site parking

Free on-site parking (excluding London office) and good public transport links

How did we get here?

Today, Dunelm is a leader in the £11bn UK homewares market. With over 170 stores across the country and a successful online operation – dunelm.com – we offer over 60,000 products across a broad range of categories. But where did it all begin?

1979

Founder, Bill Adderley and his wife Jean take on a stall in Leicester Market selling curtains. Within a month, they make 600% profit.

1984

First bricks-and-mortar store founded in Churchgate, Leicester.

1988

With momentum growing, first flagship store opens in Leicester, East Street, offering warehouse facilities for expansion across the region.

1991

First superstore opens in Rotherham, offering premium brands such as Dorma, which the company goes on to acquire.

1996

Bill's son Will is appointed CEO of the company, following in his father's footsteps.

1999

Now a household name in the Midlands, Dunelm Mill opens a head office with warehouse facilities in Syston, Leicestershire.

2001

The acquisition of a small custom-made curtains business marks the start of Dunelm's made-to-measure service.

2002

A landmark year as Dunelm Mill opens its 50th store and a new central warehouse in Burton. The company goes on to open new stores at a rate of 10 each year.

2005

A fully shoppable website goes live, with a dedicated warehouse below our Radcliffe store

2006

Dunelm floated on the London Stock Exchange, marking the beginning of a new era for the company.

2010

In Liverpool, the company opens its 100th store, having celebrated its 30th birthday in 2009.

2011

To accommodate continued growth, Dunelm builds a new head office in Syston.

2013

Company rebrands from 'Dunelm Mill' to 'Dunelm' – reflecting what our customers have called us for years.

2016

Our family grew to include Worldstores.

2018

Nick Wilkinson joins the business as our new CEO.

2021

To accommodate our continued growth, Dunelm opens a fourth warehouse in Daventry.

2022

Launch of our ‘Conscious Choice’ collection – homeware that lasts longer and is made from more sustainable materials.

2022

Our third Delivering Joy Christmas campaign, with stores supporting over 700 local community causes and donating more than 61,000 gifts.

How to apply

Here you'll find all the information needed to make a great application

Our application process

Our application process

You're ready to apply - here's some information about what to expect.

Hints and tips

Hints and tips

Okay, so you've found the job you want. What can you do to give yourself the best chance of success?

FAQs

FAQs

If you have some questions and queries about the process, we're here to answer those for you.