At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial evaluations for new distribution centres and manage budgets.
- Company: Join Ocado Retail, the UK's largest online supermarket with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, private medical insurance, and generous discounts.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow your career while embracing AI and smart technology.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving strategic growth in a tech-savvy environment.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in financial modelling required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working - 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours
Level: Manager
Application Closing Date: Friday 19th June 2026
About us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value. We’re also on a mission to empower our business with smart technology; we've recently launched our AI Academy, providing a tailored AI learning journey for every colleague.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com. Not only is Ocado the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About the team and the role
This is a newly created role sitting within our dynamic FP&A team. We are a key strategic partner to the leadership team, managing the 5-year plan, budget, and monthly reforecast processes across the business. We pride ourselves on delivering deep financial analysis, driving critical insights, and shaping future outlooks to support stronger decision-making and sustainable, profitable growth.
As the Finance Manager – Network & Property, you will act as the dedicated finance partner to the Network & Property team, who manage all of our sites and ensure our volume demands are met. This is a pivotal role as Ocado Retail undergoes significant organic expansion. You will be heavily involved in the financial evaluation of our network—spanning the build-out of new Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs), spokes, and existing network investments.
You will have a seat at the table from project initiation conversations all the way through to investment sign-off decisions, and be expected to ask the right questions and challenge assumptions to drive to the right outcomes. You will need to think strategically, evaluating new sites as critical nodes within a wider network while considering complex elements like delivery economics. Because this is a brand-new role, you’ll be comfortable operating in ambiguity, building new processes from scratch, and taking true end-to-end ownership of our business case processes.
What you’ll do
- Lead Expansion Business Cases: Own the end-to-end development of robust business cases for new distribution centres (CFCs) and spokes; build multi-variant models to evaluate real estate costs, automated CAPEX, and last-mile/middle-mile trunking efficiencies.
- Commercial Property Partnering: Partner with the Property Negotiation and Development teams, providing rigorous financial modeling and data insights during commercial discussions, site acquisitions, and upcoming lease renegotiations.
- Own Post-Investment Reviews (PIR): Lead the PIR process for completed network projects, delivering deep-dive analysis and lessons learned to the Strategic Governance Board to improve future decision-making.
- Capex & Budget Management: Manage all budget/forecast inputs and own the Capex budget for network and property; track actual spend against budget for live construction projects and network upgrades with a strict focus on cash flow and robust fixed asset controls.
- Drive Tech & Capacity Innovation: Model the financial trade-offs of structural capacity constraints; continuously improve investment appraisal tools using Oracle for automation, and incorporate AI into BAU processes to uncover new ways of working.
Who you are
- Highly Numerate & Analytical: A keen eye for detail with strong experience consolidating and analysing numbers to drive total confidence in financial outputs.
- Financial Modeling Expert: Proven experience building robust business cases and financial models from scratch, ideally handling multi-variant scenario planning.
- Commercial Lease & Logistics Acumen: A solid understanding of lease negotiations, key contract levers, and operational network efficiency factors.
- Strong Stakeholder Management Skills: Excellent at building meaningful cross-functional relationships and comfortable challenging spend plans or assumptions to drive better business outcomes.
- Adaptable & Organised: Highly organised, able to juggle multiple complex workstreams at once, and comfortable operating within ambiguity to build brand-new processes.
- Mobility: Ability and willingness to travel within the UK to network sites when required.
- Tech & System Savvy: A proactive, continuous improvement mindset with a motivation to use systems (e.g., Oracle) to automate Capex tracking and site performance reviews.
- Forward-Thinking: An interest or experience in incorporating AI and advanced scenario modeling/sensitivities into business-as-usual processes.
What’s in it for you
By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail. You'll also be part of our AI Academy, a dedicated learning journey designed to empower every colleague with the smart technology skills of the future.
If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal.
- Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
- Spend & Save: Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
- Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.
Our Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.
Your Application and AI
In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don't lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you're a great fit for us.
Everyone’s welcome
We’re an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. We want to ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply; if you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at careers@ocadoretail.com and we'll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.
Finance Manager - Network & Property employer: Ocado Retail
At Ocado Retail, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions innovation and employee development. With our hybrid working model in Hatfield, you’ll enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises health and wellbeing, alongside access to our AI Academy for continuous learning. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your contributions directly impact the success of the world's largest online supermarket, all while enjoying a range of fantastic benefits.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager - Network & Property
✨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.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
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 Ocado Retail. 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 Finance Manager - Network & Property
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 Ocado Retail.
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 Ocado Retail'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 Ocado Retail
✨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 Ocado Retail.
✨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 Ocado Retail 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 Ocado Retail 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.
