Christopher Benn Associates

Financial Planning & Analysis – Berks – £60,000 Per Annum

jobeditor — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:44:28 +0000

Are you Part Qualified and nearing completion of the CIMA qualification?

Entrepreneurial flair and investigative planning is sought by this leading group, set for massive growth. As a business partner providing support to all aspects of the business,

Carry out month end activities in relation to areas of responsibility: RA, MS, R&D QA.

Preparation of Expenses reports and Plan/ Update/LBE/LRP for RA, MA, R&D QA

Preparation of RCEs (Requests of Capital Expenditure)

Capex: planning and control

Monthly Headcount Reporting as per Affiliate and Corporate requirements

Purchase Order Database Maintenance and Training Maidenhead Users

Support Internal and External Audits

Preparation of monthly management reports and communication of analysis to RA/MS/R&D QA management

Business partner support for RA/MS/R&D QA management in understanding budget variances, business needs, and managing expenses within approved budget

Ideally you will have:

Previous experience in Month End closure and Finance Planning and Analysis

Good communication skills and collaborative style for business partnership success

Self-directed within an independent environment

Excellent computer skills – Excel and Lotus Notes

Education:

Business Studies/University education required

Part Qualified nearing completion of CIMA qualification.

Should your details be suitable for the role you are responding to, you will be contacted. In the event your details are not suitable, Christopher Benn Associates may retain them and contact you regarding future vacancies. Christopher Benn Associates will not submit your details to a client without your prior knowledge.

Christopher Benn Associates is an established Consultancy specialising in Finance recruitment. We provide a consistently high level of service based upon understanding your requirement and your career objectives. To discuss your next move, forward your CV via this website and one of our qualified consultants will call you.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Please note that we are unable to sponsor visa or work permit applications.

Please note that due to the high volumes of applications received we are not able to consider applications for candidates that fall outside the criteria specified.

PA – Berks – £28,000 Per Annum

jobeditor — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:07:38 +0000

Do you have experience supporting an IT sales team?

This is an exciting new role for an experienced PA to work for a Senior VP and also provide administration support for his Sales Team.

Duties to include:

Extensive diary management Travel arrangements Assisting the Executive Assistant with events when needed Supporting team Answer and resolve ad hoc queries from corporate clients Organise team meetings Provide support to new starters
Essential experience/skills

Experience of supporting a sales team Strong MS Office skills including MS Office, databases and PowerPoint Ability to work on own initiative An understanding of IT software sales Excellent presentation and communications skills Able to remain calm under pressure Team player with a “can do attitude” Meticulous attention to detail CRM System experience desirable

Should your details be suitable for the role you are responding to, you will be contacted. In the event your details are not suitable, Christopher Benn Resourcing may retain them and contact you regarding future vacancies. Christopher Benn Resourcing will not submit your details to a client without your prior knowledge.

Christopher Benn Resourcing is an established Consultancy. We provide a consistently high level of service based upon understanding your requirement and your career objectives. To discuss your next move, forward your CV via this website and one of our qualified consultants will call you.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Please note that we are unable to sponsor visa or work permit applications.

Billings Specialist – Surrey – Up To £26,000 Per Annum

jobeditor — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:16:23 +0000

Working within a team you will be producing invoices in line with customer requirements and terms of contract on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis. You will ensure billings are checked and reconciled and be liaising regularly with customers to deal with any queries. This is a pressurised, hands on role requiring attention to detail and the ability to work to strict time limits with a high degree of accuracy. Candidates will require a background in billings, sales ledger or credit control.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Please note that we are unable to sponsor visa or work permit applications.

Please note that due to the high volumes of applications received we are not able to consider applications for candidates that fall outside the criteria specified.

Payroll Supervisor – Berks – £40,000 Per Annum

jobeditor — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:45:12 +0000

Have you had experience of multiple payrolls both UK and Internationally?
Do you have experience of PeopleSoft?
Have you previously held a managerial role within payroll?

This is an exclusive opportunity to apply your payroll skills in a high profile managerial role within this leading business. As a key member of the team, you will have responsibilities for domestic and international payrolls You will also be responsible for a team of 3 on a daily basis who perform end to end payrolls for multiple EU countries ensuring pay runs are processed in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring compliance with local legislations and company policies.

Strong communication skills are required as you will build relationships across the establishment at every level.

Experience of full payroll preparation along with strong managerial skills is paramount for you to process and develop your responsibilities.

An outstanding opportunity to take your Payroll career to another level.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Please note that we are unable to sponsor visa or work permit applications.

Please note that due to the high volumes of applications received we are not able to consider applications for candidates that fall outside the criteria specified.

Manufacturing Project Co-ordinator – Hants – Up To £35,000 Per Annum

jobeditor — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:34:09 +0000

Do you have experience of an Electronics manufacturing department?
Do you have experience in procurement and production planning?
Do you have manufacturing order processing experience?
Do you have a Business Studies, Project Management or CIPS qualification or equivalent?

Urgent new opportunity to join the Materials Management team with responsibility for Purchase orders and managing Projects from planning to delivery in line with customer demands.

Experience/Skills:

Previous experience in procurement and production planning
Experience of an Electronics manufacturing department
Strong IT skills including MS Word, Excel, Outlook and ideally MS Project
Experience of MRP system essential
Excellent communication skills at all levels – written and spoken
Methodical and organised, process driven
Previous experience managing small projects highly desirable
CIPS qualification is also desirable though not essentail

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Please note that we are unable to sponsor visa or work permit applications.

Technical Specialist – Berks – c£50,000 Per Annum

jobeditor — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:59:40 +0000

Technical Specialist will be required to performcustom development tasks and provide support for the technical implementationtools of my clients Information Management Systems and related products.

You will partner with solutions architects and analysts who possess deep experience of workflows. The solution architects will define the framework and will act as application subject matter experts who will rely on the Technical Specialist to turn the concept into reality.You will have knowledge of web oriented languages including any of the following HTML, C, .NET or Java script along with experience of SQL, data analysis and database methodologies.

You will be involved in software development, programming, and/or applications; you will enjoy working with and analyzing complex data and developing software solutions. Good at innovative problem solving. Great social skills able to adapt your approach to be effective working with different people.

In addition to having a primary focus on localisation and customisation tasks the Technical Specialist will be responsible for site specific software development activities and to ensure that the software satisfies project specifications and is delivered and deployed in line with project requirements.

You will be visiting client sites and implementation partners for technical support. You will also be required to provide technical training and to produce training materials. International travel may be required.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Please note that we are unable to sponsor visa or work permit applications.

Market Development Representative – Berks – Up To £60,000 Per Annum

jobeditor — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:00:52 +0000

As a member of the market development team, responsibilities will include all activities related to Telephone lead qualification of my clients products , Market development is intended to service prospects that have been marketed to both by outbound and inbound campaigns.

You will enjoy prospecting, qualifying, educating, rapport building, persuading and nurturing the prospects who will typically be CEOs or Cots. You will work alongside the Sales Manager to help service and manage the Application Partner account.

Working in a small team of 4 reporting to Director of Marketing.

Essential is B2B sales experience qualifying and selling technically related products to companies over the telephone. Knowledge of the IT/ Software Domain.

Degree educated or equivalent would be desirable

Circa 55k basic plus 10% bonus also Bupa x 4 Pension and Life assurance.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Please note that we are unable to sponsor visa or work permit applications.

An Interview with the Woman behind the Christopher Benn name: Elaine Pritchard

Elaine — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:12:16 +0000

Many of you may have spoken to Elaine in the past, but you may not know the history behind the Christopher Benn name. Here’s an interview with the woman that set up what has become one of Berkshire’s leading recruitment consultancies – in her home, back in 1999.

1. Elaine can you give me a bit of background history on Christopher Benn? It has been around since 1999 – have you been there from the very beginning?

I am the founder, owner and at, times tea girl! I fell into recruitment back in the 80’s. Then in 1999, I started Christopher Benn, purely to work on a few selected clients from my study at home. As time went on, I found the company was growing. Here we are, 14 years later and still going strong!

2. How many team members do you now employ? How has the business developed over the years?

I currently employ 5 staff. When you look back, it’s surprising how things have evolved. Back in 1999, I was working on P/quals and Qual! Once the hiring managers were in place they then wanted to put finance teams in place then we offered accounts staff across the board

3. At Christopher Benn you work in two different sectors – Resourcing and Finance. Does this bring with it any challenges?

Without a doubt! Although I personally recruit only Finance, I am responsible for running both divisions. Once you’ve gained an understanding of the sectors in which you work, the real challenge is keeping up. Things can change in an instance so it’s really important to stay ahead – read, research and embrace it. That’s what my staff do and that’s why clients come back to us and candidates trust us.

4. Since 1999, the recruitment landscape has altered a great deal. Do you think it has changed for the better?

It has certainly changed. The best change for me is the legislation that now protects the temporary employees. We offer both permanent and contract recruitment services so we are well aware of the challenges that both parties can face. Anything that can legally protect contractors, in my book, is a good thing.

5. How do you keep up with the latest technologies? Do you think it’s important for recruitment consultancies to do this?

Keeping up with the latest technologies is very important in any industry. In recruitment, things are changing very quickly and we attend various workshops, seminars, courses to make sure we are up to date and able to provide the very best service to both candidates and clients. What we cannot do in-house, we outsource to tried and trusted external agencies.

6. Your business is based in Eton – what’s the employment market like at the moment? How has the recession affected the region?

Business is like a rollercoaster! We have been very fortunate in that we have built up an excellent client base of clients that use us on repeat assignments. From a candidate perspective, we are still getting recommendations – which can only mean we are doing a good job for them. Because Eton is predominately retail, we have seen a lot of changes in the high street – it used to be all antiques and art galleries.

7. What sort of place is the Christopher Benn office – is it a good place to work?

I enjoy coming to work each day – for me it’s great but I suppose you should ask the team to find out what they think! I have tried to create an environment where working together is a priority and respect is a must. Our people are our greatest strength and so even the quietest voice will be heard.

In my opinion, any team member in any organisation wants to produce work that they’re proud of. I believe everyone wants integrity – when we produce quality, value-added solutions for our clients, we establish a trust which is difficult to break. From this, there comes real job satisfaction and a desire to learn more. We foster this desire and develop our people – enabling growth.

Lastly, but by no meant least, I think it’s important that there’s an element of fun. We encourage an atmosphere of enthusiasm and spontaneity. We spend a great deal of time in the office and if we don’t enjoy it, what’s the point of it all?

8. What are your future plans for Christopher Benn?

We are recruiting! I want to recruit like-minded consultants – people that are passionate about providing a great service and willing to learn and develop. In addition, we aim to continue to supply a personal tailored service to clients and candidates alike. Then, with the development of our existing staff, we plan to expand both our Associates and Resourcing divisions. It’s an exciting time at Christopher Benn and there’s a very real possibility for people to get involved and join us in our success.

Spring is Here: Does Your CV Need a Spruce-Up?

Elaine — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:10:53 +0000

It’s the perfect time of year for fresh starts; for many people, that means dusting off their CVs and looking for a new job. But before you dip your toe into the job seeker’s pool, take a moment to step back and consider what will make your CV really stand out.

Quality above all else

First, remember that as recruiters, we receive scores of CVs each day before we filter them through to employers. So make it easy for us to recommend you with excellent presentation, layout, format and content. Ensure that your CV only covers two pages. This is important, as when we send over your CV, employers will want to be able to read it easily; it also shows that you have the ability to communicate efficiently.

Check your grammar! Amazingly, a large number of CVs are sent through with poor spelling and grammar and these often lead to instant rejection, especially if the role being recruited for insists on good communication skills.

In terms of formatting, opt for a reverse chronological order that lists your most recent achievements first and works backwards, picking out the most relevant items. Forget listing menial and outdated qualifications; instead, just focus on the key points that will jump out to the employer. Include details of achievements and quantify anything that you claim to have succeeded in, as this gives plenty of juicy material for the interview.

Don’t use long paragraphs; opt instead for punchy bullet points and use commanding language that brings your content to life. Avoid elaborately designed formatting, unless you are applying for a creative role. Choose a clear, easy-to-read font in a decent size (nothing below size 10). Be ruthless with your copy editing and leave a reasonable amount of white space. Remember that readability is key to avoid taxing the reader. Also remember that you have to explain any gaps in your CV; ideally, this would be included in your covering letter.

Equality and diversity

You do not need to put your gender, date of birth, a photo or anything else that may lead to discrimination, however inadvertently. Ageism, racism and sexism are forbidden by law and we do not need to know these things about you. Similarly, you do not need to mention if you have children, or mention your family or personal life. Focus on work. When it comes to listing hobbies and interests, include a little something to give a sense of who you are as a person, but don’t overdo it: the focus should be on your work experience and achievements.

Personalise and tailor your CV

Work through the job specification carefully and pick out the key words and phrases that the job description mentions. Then, make sure that you use these in your CV or covering letter to show that you have taken in and responded to the requirements of the role.

Never lie and avoid embellishing facts, but be open and persuasive about your abilities and suitability for the role. Also, take the time to write a covering letter, as this will show that you are truly interested in applying for the job in question, rather than simply firing out random applications to all and sundry.

Additionally, if you can find the name of the employer, then add this to your letter and give any e-mails the correct reference number. Small details add up to show that you are organised, committed and motivated. We wish you all the very best in your job search.

The 5 Most Worthless Phrases in Your LinkedIn Headline

Elaine — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:09:15 +0000

Your LinkedIn Headline is arguably the most important piece of real estate within your Profile.

Yet, most users remain confused about its true function, and what to use (in place of the default, which is your current job title).

Here’s why you need to pay attention…