At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial performance and deliver financial insights for M&S Food and Sparks.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer transforming the food industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-impact finance role with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in business partnering and financial analysis.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 75000 £ per year.
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 - Food Marketing and Sparks employer: Marks & Spencer
Joining M&S as a Senior Finance Manager means becoming part of a dynamic team that values collaboration and innovation in the heart of the Food business. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including a generous colleague discount, and a commitment to inclusivity, M&S offers a rewarding work environment where you can thrive and make a meaningful impact. The company's dedication to supporting your growth and well-being ensures that you will not only contribute to the success of the organisation but also advance your career in a supportive and forward-thinking culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager - Food Marketing and Sparks
✨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. 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 - Food Marketing and Sparks
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.
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'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
✨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.
✨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 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 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.
