At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial performance and influence investment decisions in a strategic finance role.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer transforming the Food business.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on M&S's growth while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in business partnering and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
This is a brilliant opportunity to step into a visible, strategic role within Food Finance - shaping decisions, influencing senior stakeholders and playing a key part in delivering M&S's growth ambitions. It's an exciting time to join M&S as we continue to transform and grow our Food business. We’re looking for a Senior Finance Manager – Business Partnering to play a critical role at the heart of Food and Sparks, partnering senior leaders to drive commercial performance, shape investment decisions and deliver meaningful financial insight.
This is a high impact role where you’ll combine strategic thinking with hands on delivery, working across Food Marketing, Sparks and the wider leadership team to influence decisions, optimise performance and support long term growth. To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.
What you’ll do
- Partner with Food Marketing and Sparks leadership to drive commercial performance, leading ROI analysis and influencing investment decisions.
- Act as the finance lead for Sparks, building complex financial models and supporting roadmap, business cases and senior stakeholder decision-making.
- Lead monthly financial close and forecasting cycles, ensuring clear insight on risks, opportunities and performance against budget.
- Deliver integrated forecasts, budgets and long‑range plans that balance stretch with deliverability across the Food business.
- Own and enhance reporting (including Power BI), ensuring data integrity and delivering clear, actionable insights to ExCo and senior stakeholders.
Who you are
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant post qualification experience.
- Proven experience in business partnering, FP&A or similar within a fast paced retail, FMCG or commercial environment.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and tell a clear, compelling financial story.
- Experience managing and developing others, with a passion for building high performing teams.
- Highly analytical and strategic, with strong financial modelling skills and experience using reporting tools such as Power BI.
What’s in it for you?
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger – helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast‑moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing. Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third‑party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation.
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours.
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
- Market‑leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.
Everyone’s welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you’d benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Senior Finance Manager Business Partnering - Food in London employer: Marks and Spencer
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where collaboration thrives. As a Senior Finance Manager in the Food division, you will not only influence key financial decisions but also enjoy a range of benefits including a generous colleague discount, competitive holiday allowance, and tailored training from day one. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing and development, M&S provides a unique opportunity to grow your career while contributing to meaningful change in the retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager Business Partnering - Food in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at M&S 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 understanding M&S's values and recent initiatives in the Food sector. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial storytelling! Be ready to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms. This will help you connect with senior stakeholders during interviews and demonstrate your business partnering skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply 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 the M&S team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Manager Business Partnering - Food in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Finance Manager role. Highlight your business partnering experience and any relevant financial modelling skills to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders and driven commercial performance in previous positions.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role is all about delivering meaningful financial insights, don’t forget to mention your analytical prowess. Talk about your experience with tools like Power BI and how you've used data to inform decisions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our Food Finance team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the Food sector and be ready to discuss how you've influenced investment decisions in the past.
✨Showcase Your Business Partnering Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with senior stakeholders. Highlight specific instances where your insights led to improved commercial performance or strategic decisions.
✨Master Financial Modelling
Since building complex financial models is part of the role, be prepared to discuss your experience with this. If possible, bring a sample model or be ready to explain your approach to creating one.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your analytical and strategic thinking. Prepare to discuss how you would handle various financial scenarios, including risks and opportunities, to show your problem-solving skills.
