Commercial Business Partner

Overview

At Newrest Inflight UK Ltd, you will play a critical role in shaping the inflight customer experience while influencing financial decisions that drive bottom-line results. This unique position is ideal for a dynamic leader who thrives at the intersection of operations and finance.

We are seeking a highly analytical and operationally experienced professional to lead and optimise our airline catering operations while driving financial planning, performance analysis, and cost control. This dual-role position will bridge inflight service excellence with robust financial oversight, supporting data-driven decisions to enhance profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end catering strategy, including menu development, vendor management, contract negotiations, and onboard service innovation.
• Oversee day-to-day catering logistics, ensuring compliance with food safety, regulatory standards, and airline SOPs.
• Collaborate with procurement and commercial teams to identify cost-saving opportunities and drive service improvements.
• Analyse passenger feedback, waste metrics, and service quality KPIs to inform catering adjustments and enhancements.
• Manage vendor relationships, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement through SLAs and KPIs.
• Develop and maintain catering budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses in coordination with the finance department.
• Conduct in-depth cost modelling, scenario analysis, and financial impact assessments of catering and inflight service initiatives.
• Partner with accounting and operations to ensure accurate expense tracking, reporting, and reconciliations.
• Support monthly and quarterly reporting cycles with insights into cost drivers, efficiency opportunities, and revenue impacts.
• Lead financial evaluation of vendor proposals, CAPEX/OPEX projects, and strategic investments in inflight service delivery.
• Communicate effectively with both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Understand and interpret contractual terms; communicate contractual terms to stakeholders and ensure adherence to contract.
• Lead RFP and ad hoc proposals; lead contract negotiations to reduce value leakage, improve commercial outcomes, and mitigate risk by ensuring contract and regulatory compliance.
• Routinely monitor contract performance to ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled and key milestones are met.
• Update commercial terms where appropriate, including routine, standardized contracts like service orders, addendums, and MSAs.
• Obtain approval for non-standard terms in accordance with agreed approval matrices.
• Develop, deliver, and maintain effective commercial methods, processes, and operational procedures to ensure contracts are managed in line with internal and external compliance standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, CIMA or ACCA Qualified (Desirable)
• Experience in a similar environment with large corporate customers and suppliers
• Strong understanding of FMCG would be desirable
• Advanced financial modelling, budgeting, and analytical skills using Excel and financial planning systems
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and cross-functional collaboration abilities
• Proven track record in cost reduction, process optimization, and customer experience enhancement
• Translator between finance and the business
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills
• Deliver actionable insight and challenge to all stakeholders
• Become a trusted partner to the business
• Strong focus on problem solving and ownership to drive results
• Advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint
• Proven track record in building and maintaining strong customer relationships

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Financial acumen
• Operational excellence
• Vendor & stakeholder management
• Data-driven & decision-making
• Attention to detail
• Leadership & team development
• Organised self-starter, with drive and ambition who thrives under pressure, and is capable of confidently working alongside the most senior stakeholders across the wider business
• Attention to detail, commitment to accuracy & adherence to deadlines