At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape sustainability strategy using finance expertise to drive impactful change.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a forward-thinking and purpose-driven organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, and a performance-related bonus up to 20%.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in sustainability while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in finance business partnering and a passion for sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
You will play a pivotal role in shaping the company's sustainability strategy by leveraging your finance expertise to drive meaningful change for customers, communities, and the planet. Collaborating closely with Finance, Sustainability, and other business units, you will provide valuable insights, financial leadership, and strategic guidance to ensure the successful delivery of Sainsbury's Plan for Better commitments, with a focus on areas such as Healthy & Sustainable Diets and Human Rights.
Your responsibilities will include evaluating the financial and non-financial impacts of sustainability initiatives, developing financial models to inform decision-making, and partnering with cross-functional teams to support strategic sustainability priorities and enhance business resilience. Additionally, you will work towards enhancing the quality, governance, and accessibility of sustainability data and reporting, while building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive sustainable business practices and positive outcomes.
Who you are
You are a qualified accountant with a strong background in finance business partnering, analytics, and commercial acumen. Your ability to influence senior stakeholders, provide valuable insight, and drive strategic sustainability priorities demonstrates your strong problem-solving skills and capacity to turn analysis into actionable strategies. With a genuine interest in sustainability, coupled with advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, you excel in evaluating the financial and non-financial impacts of sustainability initiatives, supporting key decisions, and fostering strong relationships across Finance, Sustainability, Commercial, and external stakeholders to drive meaningful change and deliver on sustainability commitments.
Essential Criteria
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
- Proven commercial finance business partnering experience, applying financial analysis to support commercial decision-making and influence business outcomes
- Demonstrable experience in or a passion for sustainability, ESG or corporate responsibility
- Demonstrable ability to communicate and influence senior stakeholders, building effective working relationships across functions
- Evidence of identifying business issues, using analysis to develop recommendations, and converting insights into actionable outcomes - experience with Power BI, Power Query or similar analytics tools is desirable
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, deliver to deadlines, and utilise advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills to support reporting, analysis and stakeholder communication
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you'll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there's always the chance to try something new - whether that's as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working.
When you join our team, we'll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
- Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury's every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day.
- We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover.
- You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 20% of salary, depending on how we perform.
- Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday.
- We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, interest free car loan of up to £10k, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers.
- And if you ever need it there is also an Employee Assistance Programme, you will also be eligible for private healthcare too.
- Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks' pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks' pay for paternity leave.
Commercial Finance Manager - Sustainability in City of Westminster employer: Sainsbury’s Group
Sainsbury's is an excellent employer for those seeking a dynamic and rewarding role as an Online Assistant. With a commitment to inclusivity, generous benefits such as a nightshift premium, shopping discounts, and well-being support, employees thrive in a fast-paced environment that encourages personal growth and teamwork. The early morning shifts offer a unique opportunity to be part of a dedicated team that ensures customers receive the best quality products right at their doorsteps.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Manager - Sustainability in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Sainsbury’s Group. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Sainsbury’s Group.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Sainsbury’s Group. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Manager - Sustainability in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Sainsbury’s Group and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Sainsbury’s Group how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury’s Group
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Sainsbury’s Group.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Sainsbury’s Group's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
