At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with teams to turn financial data into actionable insights and drive growth.
- Company: Join Impact Food Group, a leading school caterer on a mission for better food culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, training opportunities, and discounts at over 850 retailers.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to positive social impact and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Newly qualified or part-qualified accountant with 2-4 years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
At Impact Food Group, we’re more than just a school caterer. We’re on a mission to create a positive food culture and help more students enjoy healthier, better-quality food. Making a positive social impact is at the heart of everything we do. We’re constantly learning, evolving, and improving — every way, every day.
We are one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.
Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector. Guided by our values: integrity, bold, impactful, humble, and community; you will help us shape a workplace and culture we can all be proud of.
The Finance Business Partner (FBP) acts as the primary financial co-pilot and strategic advisor to key operational and commercial stakeholders. Rather than just reporting on past performance, the FBP is an embedded partner who seeks to understand the "why" behind the numbers, providing clarity on the past, insight for the present, and foresight for the future.
The ultimate goal of this role is to turn robust financial data into actionable commercial insight, enabling operational teams to drive growth, protect margins, and deliver measurable financial improvements.
What you’ll be Doing
- Role Responsibilities
- Strategic Partnering & Influence
- Commercial Advisory: Act as the dedicated point of contact for financial advice to non-finance operational directors and managers, translating complex data into clear, actionable business recommendations.
- Challenge & Collaboration: Build strong, collaborative relationships across departments while maintaining the commercial diplomacy to constructively challenge operational assumptions and plans when necessary.
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Foresight
- Agile Planning: Lead the annual budgeting and rolling reforecasting processes for assigned operational divisions, ensuring alignment with overall corporate strategy.
- Scenario Modelling: Build and maintain flexible, multi-tab financial models to stress-test business variables (such as volume shifts, supply chain changes, and macroeconomic cost pressures).
- Commercial Performance & Benchmarking
- Post-Mobilisation Reviews: Conduct "Actual vs. Business Case" performance reviews on recently launched contracts or initiatives to measure financial success and feed lessons learned back into future models.
- KPI Development: Design and track forward-looking operational benchmarks (e.g., gross profit percentages, labour efficiency ratios, and volume uptakes) to guide teams toward maximum profitability.
- Systems, Data & Process Excellence
- Data Leverage: Work closely with systems specialists to fully exploit core financial platforms, automating routine reporting to maximize time spent on high-value analysis.
- Consistency of Output: Adhere to and help refine standardised operational procedures to ensure absolute consistency and quality of commercial finance outputs across the team.
- What We Are Looking For
- Technical & Professional Credentials
- Finance Background: Newly qualified or part-qualified accountant (CIMA / ACCA / ACA) with strong foundational knowledge of P&L mechanics, margin analysis, and cost allocation.
- Proven Experience: 2–4 years of experience in a highly commercial pricing, FP&A, or business partnering role. Ideally within a fast-paced, multi-site, or contract-led industry.
- Advanced Financial Modelling: Superb Excel skills with a proven track record of building robust, clean, and easily navigable commercial models.
- The opportunity to build a career you can be proud of in a growing business.
- Access to a wide range of free training, qualifications, and development opportunities.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers.
- Pension scheme and other great company benefits.
- Monthly incentives and recognition for top performers.
What’s in It for You?
If you’re looking for your next step and want to be part of an organisation that genuinely makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, which IFG will pay for.
We are a committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.
Finance Business Partner in Woking employer: Impact Food Group
At Impact Food Group, we pride ourselves on being more than just a school caterer; we are dedicated to fostering a positive food culture that enhances student wellbeing. Our vibrant work environment in Surrey encourages continuous learning and growth, offering employees access to extensive training and development opportunities, along with competitive benefits such as 25 days of annual leave and a staff discount scheme. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of students while enjoying a supportive and dynamic workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner in Woking
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Impact Food Group. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Impact Food Group.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Impact Food Group's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Impact Food Group.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Impact Food Group will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Impact Food Group employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
