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- Tasks: Own the P&L for M&S Beauty and drive financial performance.
- Company: Join M&S, a leader in Fashion, Home & Beauty with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the Beauty category and shape strategic decisions.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong FP&A skills and analytical mindset.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth and wellbeing support.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Step into one of the most energising parts of M&S: the Fashion, Home & Beauty Commercial Finance team. We sit at the heart of some of the most creative, fast-moving and commercially important decisions in the business - shaping ranges, influencing trading strategy and unlocking growth across categories customers love. It’s a place where no two days look the same, where curiosity is encouraged, and where your insight has the power to directly impact what appears in our stores and online. If you want variety, pace and a visible role that truly moves the dial, you’ll feel right at home here.
We’re looking for an experienced and commercially astute Commercial Finance Manager to join our Fashion, Home & Beauty Commercial Finance team on a 9-month FTC. This is a pivotal role supporting one of the most dynamic and fast-growing categories at M&S: Beauty. If you’re someone who thrives on insight, loves bringing clarity to complexity, and enjoys partnering with senior leaders to drive performance, this is a fantastic opportunity to make an impact.
As Finance Manager, you’ll act as a key strategic partner to the Beauty leadership team, helping shape decision-making across trading, commercial strategy, and long-term planning. You will own the P&L, provide sharp commercial insight, and drive financial performance across sales, profit, stock, and cash. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role where your analysis and recommendations will directly influence how we trade, grow and elevate the Beauty category.
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. Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
What you’ll do:
- Own the P&L for M&S Beauty, partnering with senior leaders to deliver sales, profit, stock and cash targets, and analysing key drivers of sales, margin and profitability to provide proactive trading insight and inform decisions across pricing, product mix, promotions and new initiatives.
- Lead forecasting, budgeting and strategic planning for the Lingerie business, providing clear visibility on assumptions, risks and opportunities, embedding key initiatives into plans, and owning a robust rolling Risks & Opportunities process against Budget and latest forecast.
- Drive stock and working capital performance, optimising return on stock investment and ensuring stock levels and commitments align with customer demand, forward plans and commercial strategies.
- Deliver strategic insight and decision support by identifying trends, shaping forward decision-making, and producing ad-hoc analysis including scenario modelling, pricing evaluation, initiative appraisal and promotional effectiveness.
- Act as a strong cross-functional business partner, working closely with Merchandising, Buying, Online, Marketing, Finance Ops and Customer Insight teams to lead commercial conversations, improve performance visibility, and enhance the efficiency, accuracy and scalability of Commercial Finance processes.
Who you are:
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with relevant commercial finance experience.
- Strong FP&A capability, with experience in forecasting, budgeting and performance analysis.
- Highly analytical and curious, with great attention to detail and a passion for turning data into insight.
- Confident communicator, able to influence, challenge and build credibility with senior stakeholders.
- Commercially minded, with a strong understanding of how retail businesses operate.
- Advanced Excel skills; PowerPoint experience beneficial but not essential.
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.
Commercial Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty (9m FTC) employer: M&S
Contact Detail:
M&S Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty (9m FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the Fashion, Home & Beauty sectors on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching M&S and its latest trends in Beauty. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for the brand and how you can contribute to its success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial analysis skills! Be ready to discuss how you would approach P&L ownership and provide insights. We want to see your analytical prowess in action during those interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at M&S.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Manager - Fashion, Home & Beauty (9m FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Fashion, Home & Beauty: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the Fashion, Home & Beauty sectors shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our dynamic team and how you can contribute to shaping the future of M&S.
Be Specific About Your Achievements: Use concrete examples from your past roles to highlight your commercial finance expertise. We love numbers, so don’t shy away from showcasing how your insights have driven sales, profit, or improved processes in previous positions.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Commercial Finance Manager role. We’re looking for someone who understands the retail landscape, so connect your skills directly to what we’re after.
Apply Early!: Due to high interest in this role, we recommend applying as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute; get your application in through our website and make sure you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at M&S
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the Beauty category, such as P&L management and stock performance. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've turned complex data into actionable insights. Think about times when your analysis influenced trading strategies or improved profitability. This will show your potential employer that you can bring clarity to complexity.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration. Be prepared to discuss how you've partnered with teams like Merchandising and Marketing in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you've built credibility with senior leaders to drive performance.
✨Stay Curious and Adaptable
M&S values curiosity and adaptability, especially in a fast-paced environment. Share examples of how you've embraced change and sought out new opportunities in your previous roles. This will demonstrate that you're not just reactive but proactive in driving growth.