At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial performance and deliver financial insights for M&S Food.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer transforming its Food business.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, bonuses, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Collaborative office culture with a focus on team development and creativity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-stakes finance role with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in fast-paced retail or FMCG environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 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?
- 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.
Senior Finance Manager Business Partnering - Food in London employer: M&S
M&S is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and creativity thrive. As a Senior Finance Manager in our Food business, you'll benefit from a competitive salary, generous colleague discounts, and extensive development opportunities, all while being part of a supportive culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and growth. Join us to make a meaningful impact and enjoy a fulfilling career in a company that values your contributions and invests in your future.
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 people in the industry, especially those at M&S. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. You want to showcase your experience in business partnering and financial modelling in a way that resonates with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. Bring examples of your work with tools like Power BI to the table.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining the M&S family.
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 speaks directly to the role of Senior Finance Manager. Highlight your experience in business partnering and financial modelling, and don’t forget to showcase your commercial acumen!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our Food business. Share specific examples of how you've influenced investment decisions or driven commercial performance.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:We love numbers! Make sure to include any relevant experience with financial analysis and reporting tools like Power BI. We want to see how you can deliver actionable insights that drive performance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply 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 business.
How to prepare for a job interview at M&S
✨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 used data to influence decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Business Partnering Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with senior leaders in the past. Highlight specific instances where your insights led to improved commercial performance or strategic investment decisions.
✨Master Financial Modelling
Since this role involves building complex financial models, practice explaining your modelling process clearly. Be prepared to discuss tools like Power BI and how you've used them to deliver actionable insights.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Team Development
This position requires managing and developing others, so think about your leadership style. Prepare to share experiences where you've built high-performing teams and how you foster collaboration and creativity.
