Associate Consultant - Analyst in Manchester

Location: Manchester, England, U.K. - hybrid working model

Reporting to: Consulting Team - Performance Manager

The world of payments is going through the most thrilling transformation imaginable. Volumes are growing, payment options are expanding, and complexity is intensifying. Retailers are at the epicentre of these changes, and it is CMSPI’s mission to revolutionise payments for merchants and retailers worldwide. We are a hyper-growth company and the go-to payments advisor for Global 500 merchants, driving big cost savings, huge sales growth, and enhanced strategies. CMSPI is at the forefront of transforming the payments industry, and as an Analyst (Associate Consultant), you’ll be at the heart of this exciting journey.

We are seeking a data‑driven Analyst (Associate Consultant) to play a pivotal role in our journey to become the world’s no 1 payments supply chain consultancy.

Role Overview

CMSPI’s Analysts (Associate Consultants) play an integral role within our payments consulting team, where they combine payments knowledge with in‑depth and meaningful analytics, to discover exciting opportunities that drive optimisation across our clients’ payment arrangements. You’ll work alongside senior associates, engagement managers, consulting leadership, and the wider CMSPI team to understand the business goals of our clients, with a focus on helping them to better navigate the complexities of their evolving payment ecosystems. The team’s goal is to provide powerful data insights to drive tangible improvements to client’s payment strategy and third‑party supplier arrangements.

While following CMSPI’s refined internal processes and standards, this role provides our Associate Consultants with the opportunity to closely support CMSPI’s delivery teams to identify, investigate, and present optimisation initiatives directly to some of the most exciting brands in the world. The day‑to‑day deliverables also offer the ability to quickly grow your career and develop your own commercial, technical and leadership skills in the process – all as part of an intelligent and vibrant global team.

Key Focus Areas

• Perform in‑depth analysis on complex client payment data, internal and external payment processes, using benchmarking data, industry research and payments knowledge. Analysis should be completed efficiently and accurately, with minimal corrections.
• Produce accurate reports to communicate back to clients through various methods including Excel, Power BI, written reports and presentations.
• Use CMSPI methodologies and entrepreneurial initiative to suggest opportunities and improvements to client arrangements and support these with detailed analysis.
• Accompany the project team to client meetings to provide technical and analytical support.
• Collaborate with Engagement Managers on the production of negotiation and tender documentation to be sent to suppliers of clients, with responsibility for written documentation, appendices and pricing tables.
• Review commercial contracts and SLAs for CMSPI and clients.
• Complete all required training on projects and internal processes.
• With support of the Performance Manager and Director, People Performance, proactively work on an individual development plan.
• Gain a thorough understanding of each market CMSPI operates in and our core product offerings.
• Continue to share knowledge from projects with the wider business.
• Work closely with Senior Associates and Engagement Managers in the management and coordination of projects to ensure deadlines are met, looking at driving process improvements internally to promote efficient data analysis and ultimately drive further value in client projects.

You are a great match if...

• Ambitious individual excited by a challenge and curious to learn a new industry and new skills.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics, Sciences, Mathematics, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• 1+ years of professional experience in consulting or analysis, including experience in presenting complex analytical findings.
• Strong ability to apply logic, creativity and solid problem‑solving techniques across a variety of topics.
• Interest in innovation and developments around CMSPI’s key differentiators – consulting, market intelligence and sophisticated data analytics.
• Excellent written and verbal skills, demonstrating an authentic and professional communication approach.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage and prioritize a high volume of tasks to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrates proactive behaviour in clarifying expectations, asking questions and understanding deliverables for the best outcomes.
• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, resilience and flexibility to work in a fast‑growing business and industry.
• Comfortable presenting opportunities to internal and external stakeholders, with keen relationship‑management skills.
• Willingness to travel to client and company meetings as required.
• Competence in and experience utilising MS Office.
• Experience in SQL and Power BI is highly desirable but not required.

What we offer...

• Comprehensive payments industry training by in‑house and industry experts.
• Excellent performance‑based earning opportunity, including OKR‑driven bonuses.
• Future opportunity for equity, rewarded to high performers.
• Personal and professional learning opportunities and growth experiences aligned with your career aspirations.
• Quarterly values award for all employees – with a financial prize.
• Regular company‑wide socials and team‑building events.
• Monthly reimbursement of commuting costs.
• 22 vacation days + UK public holidays and discretionary office closure during Christmas.
• Competitive pension plan, Vitality healthcare cover (after 6 months) and cycle‑to‑work scheme.