At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Finance Business Partnering and provide commercial insight to drive performance.
- Company: Impact Food Group, a fast-growing school food provider making a positive social impact.
- Benefits: Career growth, free training, 25 days leave, staff discounts, and monthly incentives.
- Other info: Opportunity to make a real difference in students' lives through better food choices.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team that values integrity and community while shaping a positive food culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in Commercial Finance and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ 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 of integrity, boldness, impact, humility, and community; you will help us shape a workplace and culture we can all be proud of.
The Role
The Head of Commercial Finance leads Finance Business Partnering across IFG's operational regions and acts as the primary Finance partner to the COO and wider Senior Leadership Team. Leading a team of four Finance Business Partners, the role ensures Finance provides consistent, high-quality commercial support, challenge, and insight across the business. Working closely with the COO, SLT, Regional Directors, Regional Operations Managers, and the Head of Finance Data & Analytics, the role helps the business understand what is driving performance, identify risks and opportunities, and support better decision making through clear financial and operational insight.
What You'll Be Doing
- Role Responsibilities
- Strategic Partnering & Leadership
- Act as the lead Finance partner to the COO and Senior Leadership Team.
- Lead, coach, and develop four Finance Business Partners.
- Build strong relationships with Regional Directors and Regional Operations Managers.
- Commercial Insight & Performance
- Provide commercial insight and analysis to support operational decision making.
- Identify the drivers behind revenue, labour, food cost, participation, wastage, and profitability.
- Connect performance trends across regions to identify risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
- Data, Analytics & Reporting
- Work closely with the Head of Finance Data & Analytics to deliver meaningful and actionable insight.
- Champion adoption of Power BI and standard reporting across Finance and Operations.
- Turn financial and operational data into clear recommendations and actions.
- Forecasting & Performance Management
- Coordinate regional budgets and forecasts, providing challenge and consistency.
- Support operational leaders in understanding key drivers of performance.
- Ensure emerging risks and opportunities are identified early.
- What We Are Looking For
- Significant Commercial Finance, Operational Finance, or Finance Business Partnering experience within a multi-site environment.
- Proven experience leading and developing Finance Business Partners or similar teams.
- Strong understanding of revenue, labour, food cost, participation, margin, and profitability drivers.
- Strong analytical capability and ability to translate data into commercial insight.
- Experience of budgeting, forecasting, and performance management.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with experience partnering senior operational leaders and executive teams.
- ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualifications.
What’s in It for You?
- 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.
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.
Head of Commercial Finance 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 Head of Commercial Finance 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.
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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.
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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 Head of Commercial Finance 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.
