At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial performance and drive revenue for M&S Food's Ambient Trading team.
- Company: Join M&S, a brand committed to quality, innovation, and sustainability in food retail.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Inclusive culture focused on collaboration and personal development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of food retail with data-driven decisions.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong commercial acumen and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
M&S Food is on a mission to deliver exceptional quality, innovation, and value for our customers every day. We are redefining what great food retail looks like, combining trusted sourcing with bold ideas to create products that excite and inspire. Our vision is to lead the market in quality and sustainability, while driving growth through data-driven decisions and customer-focused strategies.
Fully woven into the DNA of M&S, our Finance team plays a fundamental role in shaping business decisions, delivering targets, analysing performance, managing costs, and ensuring our most vital data is accurate. We add value by helping every area of the business make data-driven decisions and understand what drives commercial performance.
We are looking for a highly motivated and commercially minded Senior Finance Manager to join our Food Commercial Finance team. In this role, you will lead a team of three and partner with our Ambient Trading teams to deliver the ambitious Food transformation programme, driving revenue and profit to meet business unit targets. 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 financial performance for Ambient Trading: Take ownership of the P&L, balance sheet, and controls, ensuring delivery of revenue and profit targets while influencing pricing, promotions, and supplier negotiations.
- Provide insight and challenge: Use data and analytics to inform decisions, identify risks and opportunities, and assess strategic initiatives, ensuring shareholder value is at the heart of every decision.
- Drive commercial planning and governance: Oversee budgets, forecasts, and performance reviews; manage robust governance processes around pricing, supplier performance, and compliance with GSCOP obligations.
- Optimise supplier and commodity management: Support Joint Business Plans, track inflation impacts, and work with buying teams and suppliers to ensure competitive pricing and maximise supplier income opportunities.
- Enhance reporting and capability: Collaborate with Business Service Centre and Analytics teams to improve reporting processes, deliver month-end insights, and participate in initiatives to build finance capability across the team.
Your skills and experience will include:
- Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA, CA) with at least 5 years' post-qualification experience.
- Strong commercial acumen and experience in business partnering, ideally in retail or FMCG.
- Proven ability to communicate and influence at senior levels, with a collaborative and solution-driven approach.
- Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, business case appraisal, and governance.
- Leadership experience with a track record of developing teams and driving performance.
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We are 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 have 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.
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.
Senior Finance Manager - Commercial Food employer: M&S
At M&S, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Senior Finance Manager in our Food Commercial Finance team, you'll benefit from competitive perks such as a 20% colleague discount, generous holiday allowances, and tailored training to support your career growth. Our commitment to inclusivity and employee wellbeing, alongside opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the retail sector, makes M&S a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager - Commercial Food
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and retail sectors. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral. Don’t be shy; we all love a good natter!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching M&S and their Food Commercial Finance team. Know their values, recent projects, and how you can contribute. We want to see that passion and knowledge shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. We recommend rehearsing with a friend or in front of the mirror until you feel confident and natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talent that fits our vision, so make sure you get your name in the mix!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Manager - Commercial Food
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food Retail:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the food retail industry shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission to deliver exceptional quality and innovation.
Highlight Your Financial Expertise:Make sure to showcase your qualifications and experience in finance, especially in areas like budgeting and forecasting. We’re looking for someone who can take ownership of financial performance, so don’t hold back on your achievements!
Be Data-Driven:Since we value data-driven decisions, include examples of how you've used analytics to inform your strategies. This will show us that you understand the importance of insights in driving commercial performance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward!
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 retail sector, such as P&L management and budgeting. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
You'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've developed teams and driven performance. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them while fostering collaboration.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with M&S Food's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability. Show that you understand the commercial landscape and can contribute to their ambitious transformation programme.
✨Prepare Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Ask about their approach to data-driven decision-making or how they envision the future of food retail. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and strategic thinking.
