At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis for our Roastery, driving performance and cost optimisation.
- Company: Join Costa Coffee, a global leader in coffee experiences, part of the Coca-Cola System.
- Benefits: Enjoy a share investment plan, annual bonuses, and discounts at Costa stores.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with exciting career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on our coffee production while developing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 3-5 years in commercial finance and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Costa Coffee, we are what we craft. We’re reimagining coffee experiences in over 50 countries and counting, as a key part of the Coca‑Cola System. Whether you get your coffee in a store, from a machine, at home, or on the go – we’ve got you covered.
The Finance Manager – Roastery is a key role within the Supply Chain Finance function and supports the Basildon Roastery leadership team. The primary purpose of the role is to deliver accurate reporting, effective management, and transparency of all Roastery costs. This includes delivery of financial plans and analysis, integrity of reporting, insightful business analysis, cost optimisation, standard cost setting, actual cost analysis and alignment to company strategy.
What you’ll do:
- Lead financial planning, budgeting and forecasting for the Roastery, ensuring accurate, forward‑looking cost management.
- Deliver clear reporting, analysis and insights to drive performance, cost optimisation and strategic decision‑making.
- Own financial governance of production spend, including business cases, project investment and cost control.
- Partner closely with Roastery leadership and cross‑functional teams to provide challenge, support and actionable insights.
- Manage standard costing, commodity and FX‑related risks, ensuring robust financial controls and continuous improvement.
Who you are:
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with 3‑5 years PQE in commercial finance within a production, manufacturing or roastery setting.
- Highly analytical with strong financial modelling skills and advanced Excel capability.
- Commercially minded, with a strong understanding of operational drivers and cost management.
- Confident communicator and influencer, able to explain complex financial information to non‑finance stakeholders.
- Proactive and results‑focused, with the ability to challenge, problem‑solve and deliver insights that drive business performance.
Benefits:
- Share Investment Plan (SIP) – share owner in Coca‑Cola.
- Annual discretionary bonus scheme based on business results and individual contribution.
- Smart pension with tax and NI savings, matching up to 10%.
- Costa Financial Support Fund for unexpected financial pressure.
- 50% discount at all Costa‑owned stores; 25% off at other participating stores.
- Private medical cover via the Private Healthcare scheme.
Where you’ll work: Right now, our Support Centre teams work flexibly, blending home and in‑person working whenever it matters most — either for team connection, creative collaboration or sharing ideas. From January 2027, we’ll be moving into our brand new St Albans Head Office, an inspiring space where our teams will come together three days a week to connect and bring our ambition to life. For this role, those in‑person days will be shared across both our St Albans Support Office and our Basildon Roastery, offering a unique opportunity to stay closely connected to both our central teams and the heart of our coffee production.
Finance Manager - Roastery in St Albans employer: Costa Coffee
At Costa Coffee, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Finance Manager at our Basildon Roastery, you will benefit from competitive perks such as a share investment plan, annual bonuses, and flexible working arrangements, all while being part of a global brand committed to innovation and excellence in coffee experiences. With opportunities for professional growth and collaboration across teams, you'll play a vital role in shaping the financial future of our operations in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager - Roastery in St Albans
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Costa Coffee on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Dive deep into Costa's values and recent news. Show us how your skills in financial planning and analysis can directly benefit the Roastery.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms. We want to see how you can communicate effectively with non-finance folks at Costa.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Costa family.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager - Roastery in St Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in commercial finance, especially in production or manufacturing settings. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, don’t shy away from showcasing your financial modelling skills and any relevant projects. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've driven performance and cost optimisation in the past.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. We love seeing enthusiasm for coffee and finance combined!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll get all the latest updates directly from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Costa Coffee
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive performance in previous roles. Prepare examples of your financial planning and analysis work that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Understand the Roastery Operations
Familiarise yourself with the coffee production process and the specific challenges faced by a roastery. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about cost management and optimisation strategies during the interview. Showing that you understand the operational drivers will impress the leadership team.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to explain complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders. Practice simplifying your explanations and using relatable examples. During the interview, focus on being clear and concise, ensuring that your communication style resonates with the audience.
✨Show Your Proactive Side
The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and delivering insights. Prepare to share instances where you've identified issues before they became problems or suggested improvements that led to better financial outcomes. Highlighting your results-focused mindset will set you apart from other candidates.
