At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape Sainsbury's sustainability strategy using your finance expertise to drive impactful change.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation committed to sustainability and positive community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, performance bonuses, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across various business functions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in sustainability while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in finance business partnering and a passion for sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Location: London Store Support Centre & Home – colleagues go into the office 1-2 days per week on average.
Join Sainsbury's as a Finance Manager - Sustainability and become a crucial member of our dedicated Sustainability Finance team, where you will have the opportunity to utilise your financial expertise to shape and drive Sainsbury's sustainability strategy while contributing to impactful changes for our customers, communities, and the environment. Working collaboratively across Finance, Sustainability, and various business functions, you will play a pivotal role in providing financial leadership, valuable insights, and strategic support to help achieve our Plan for Better commitments. This role offers a unique platform to make a real difference and be at the forefront of driving positive sustainability initiatives within a forward-thinking and purpose-driven organisation.
What you'll do
- 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
Responsibilities
We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. For a FTSE business, we move incredibly fast. When we’re not handling projects, we’re helping all corners of the wider group with what they’re trying to achieve. And around here, you can see the results of your work as soon as you walk into a store, which gives you a real sense of purpose and responsibility. Better still, the team around you will listen to your ideas and opinions, and you’ll have every chance to try something new. The sheer scale and complexity of our set-up means there’s always something else around the corner, and we’ll help and support you every step of the way. We’re trusted to get on with it. So get ready to make things happen here.
Qualifications
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.
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.
Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
Commercial Finance Manager - Sustainability in London employer: Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's is an excellent employer for those passionate about fashion and design, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With opportunities for professional growth and mentorship within a dynamic team, employees can thrive while contributing to innovative womenswear collections that resonate with customers. Located in a supportive environment, Sainsbury's prioritises employee well-being and development, making it a rewarding place to build a career in the fashion industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Manager - Sustainability in London
✨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 Sainsbury's. 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 Commercial Finance Manager - Sustainability in London
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 Sainsbury's.
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 Sainsbury's'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 Sainsbury's
✨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 Sainsbury's.
✨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 Sainsbury's 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 Sainsbury's 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.
