At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead FP&A and cost management for a top UK retailer, driving commercial decisions.
- Company: Join Marks & Spencer, a leading retailer with a strong sense of purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Inclusive culture focused on innovation and collaboration for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in retail finance while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong FP&A and commercial finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 65250 - 79750 £ per year.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join Retail Finance in a broad and commercially influential Senior Finance Manager role, giving you exposure to the performance and transformation of one of the UK's leading retailers. You'll take ownership of FP&A and cost management across UK Retail, partnering closely with the Retail Leadership Team to drive stronger commercial decision-making, cost control and delivery of the Retail transformation plan. Managing two Finance colleagues, you'll combine strong financial leadership with commercial insight and influence across Retail, Property, Food and Fashion, Home & Beauty.
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.
Your key accountabilities will include:
- Lead the FP&A cycle for UK Retail, taking ownership of quarterly forecasting, annual budgeting and the longer-term three-year plan, ensuring outputs are efficient, accurate and provide meaningful insight for senior stakeholders.
- Act as a trusted commercial partner to the Retail Leadership Team, providing challenge and insight across cost control, strategy and cost-out initiatives, helping shape both immediate decisions and the future Retail cost base.
- Own reporting and analysis across Retail costs and performance, identifying trends, assessing trials and initiatives, and driving greater understanding of margin and profitability through weekly reporting, monthly store P&Ls and contribution KPIs.
- Build strong relationships across Finance and the wider business, working closely with Property, Food and Fashion, Home & Beauty Finance, Group FP&A and the Retail Leadership Team to ensure a joined-up approach to financial planning and decision-making.
- Lead, develop and empower your team, supporting two Finance colleagues while working with the MI team to continuously improve reporting, increase efficiency and provide better information to support business decisions.
Your skills and experience will include:
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong commercial finance experience and the confidence to operate at Senior Finance Manager level in a large, complex organisation.
- A strong commercial business partner who can translate complex financial information into clear recommendations, constructively challenge senior stakeholders and communicate effectively with both Finance and non-Finance audiences.
- Highly analytical with strong FP&A capability, comfortable getting under the detail of a significant cost base, identifying trends and opportunities and using insight to influence commercial decisions.
- Retail and FP&A experience would be particularly valuable.
- An experienced and engaging people leader, able to develop a commercially focused Finance team while collaborating effectively across a broad network of Finance and business stakeholders.
- Confident working with financial data and reporting tools, with advanced Excel skills and experience of Power BI.
- Knowledge of Business Objects and SAP would be an advantage.
What’s in it for you?
- 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 - Retail - FP&A and Cost Management in City of Westminster employer: Marks & Spencer Group
Join M&S as a Customer Assistant in our Food section, where you'll be part of a dynamic team that values hard work and dedication. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we offer a vibrant work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. Located in Wolstanton, you will enjoy the benefits of working for one of the UK's fastest-growing retailers, with opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career while delivering exceptional service to our valued customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager - Retail - FP&A and Cost Management in City of Westminster
✨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.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Marks & Spencer 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 Senior Finance Manager - Retail - FP&A and Cost Management in City of Westminster
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 Marks & Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer 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.
