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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support finance transformation projects and improve business processes.
- Company: Join Henderson Group, Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, employee discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in finance while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Studying towards a relevant degree with Excel proficiency.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 16 £ per hour.
Attractive Salary & Benefits
36.5 Hours per week
Newtownabbey
12-month Higher Education Placement commencing May/June 2026
Who are we?
Henderson Group are proud to be Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,700 colleagues and have been placed 3rd in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2025. We're proud to be an Investors in People accredited employer, and our culture is lived out through our four core values- Ambition, Customer First, Teamwork and Integrity.
A look into the role
Our placement opportunities are designed to develop today's talent for the future. Students who obtain a place with us will complete a 12-month intensive learning program, supported by senior leaders and business specialists, positioned within one of our key organisational departments. It is designed for a student who has completed their second year Undergraduate study and is seeking to gain valuable experience working in Industry before returning to University to complete their final year in 2027/2028.
Our expert finance team play a vital role to ensure that our business runs in the most efficient and compliant way possible. Working within our Henderson Wholesale finance team, you will have an opportunity to collaborate with multiple stakeholders within a large, complex business unit for one of Northern Ireland's largest employers. During the placement year the successful applicant will focus on business transformation, assisting the Finance Transformation team with delivering business change and improvements which will increase operational efficiencies.
As Business Transformation Assistant you will:
- Support the transformation team to analyse, record and model current business processes and systems to establish where improvements can be made, and benefits achieved
- Support the development and delivery of projects that introduce new initiatives to enhance current business functions
- Support finance department with tasks such as documenting new processes for go live to help with training
- Develop a good understanding of business systems and assist with any relevant queries
- Develop skills using programmes such as Microsoft Power Platform & Power Automate
- Develop positive relations with internal teams involved with projects for smooth implementation of new processes.
Skills for Success
Joining us as Business Transformation Assistant the minimum criteria you'll need is:
- Working towards Third level relevant qualification
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office solutions particularly Excel
- General understanding of finance functions within a business and the terminology
- Excellent standard of numeracy
- Ability to analyse and interpret data
The attributes you'll need include:
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Enthusiasm to learn a broad range of skills and technical capabilities
- Excellent attention to detail and communication skills
It is Desirable if you had:
- A-Level (or equivalent) in an IT, Finance or Business-related subject
- General understanding of finance functions within a business and the terminology
- Experience using process mapping tools such as Visio/Bizagi
- Advanced excel functions such as VLookUps, If statements or Macros.
- Basic working knowledge of SharePoint, Power Automate, Power Platform.
Are we right for you?
As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.
- Ambition - We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
- Customer First - We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
- Teamwork - We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
- Integrity - We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.
The Reward
The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success. Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.
Benefits include market competitive salary, employee assistance programme, social club, Perks Offers/Discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.
This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. Hybrid and flexible working arrangement available.
If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist - Joanne McClelland would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer - email to get in touch. Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on 6th February 2026.
We are an equal opportunities employer.
Finance Business Transformation Assistant (Student Placement) in Newtownabbey employer: Henderson Group
Contact Detail:
Henderson Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Transformation Assistant (Student Placement) in Newtownabbey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Henderson Group on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company values. Show us how your ambition and teamwork skills align with what we stand for. We love candidates who resonate with our culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions, especially those related to finance and business transformation. We want to see your analytical skills in action, so be ready to discuss your thought process!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Transformation Assistant (Student Placement) in Newtownabbey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Finance Business Transformation Assistant role. Highlight any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of finance and systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your enthusiasm for the role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention why you’re excited about working with Henderson Group specifically.
Show Off Your Skills: Be sure to include any technical skills you have, especially with Microsoft Office, Excel, and any process mapping tools. If you’ve got experience with Power Platform or Power Automate, shout about it!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Group
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your finance basics and be ready to discuss key concepts. Understanding terms like cash flow, profit margins, and financial statements will show that you’re serious about the role and can engage in meaningful conversations with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Tech Skills
Since the role involves using Microsoft Power Platform and Excel, be prepared to talk about your experience with these tools. If you’ve used advanced functions like VLookUps or Macros, mention specific examples of how you applied them in past projects or coursework.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Henderson Group values teamwork, so think of examples where you collaborated effectively with others. Whether it was a group project at university or a team sport, share how you contributed to the team's success and what you learned from the experience.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Henderson Group's core values: Ambition, Customer First, Teamwork, and Integrity. Prepare to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples of how you've demonstrated these qualities in your academic or work life.
