Commercial Finance Manager - Commercial Programmes & Operations in Slough

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.

Please note, this role is based out of our London Store Support Centre & Home. Colleagues go into the office 2 days per week on average.

Joining Sainsbury's as a Finance Manager - Commercial Programmes & Operations means becoming part of a dynamic and forward-thinking team dedicated to driving strategic transformation and delivering tangible economic benefits across the retail landscape. As a key player in our Commercial Finance division, you will have the opportunity to work closely with senior stakeholders, shape business decisions, and lead financial initiatives that contribute to our long-term success. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and continuous development, this role offers a stimulating environment where your expertise and leadership can make a real impact on the company's growth trajectory and bottom line.

What You’ll Do

You will play a vital role in leading the financial performance of key strategic programmes, collaborating closely with senior business partners to develop robust business cases that deliver significant economic benefits across the retail profit and loss statement. You will be responsible for providing best-in-class financial support, managing stakeholder relationships, presenting executive summaries at key business meetings, and ensuring that the capital governance process is efficient and effective. Additionally, you will lead budget reporting processes, work with the Investor Relations team to provide external narrative with strong financial backing, and deputise for the Head of Finance when necessary, showcasing your advanced financial acumen, leadership skills, and ability to drive transformational change within the organisation.

Who You Are

You are a qualified accountant with a proven track record of working independently and providing strategic financial support to senior stakeholders. Your advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, coupled with your ability to communicate effectively and influence decision-making processes, enable you to drive financial performance and deliver material economic benefits across the retail P&L. With your self-motivation, excellent organisational skills, and comfort with ambiguity, you excel in managing complex financial projects, prioritising initiatives, and providing valuable insights to support the implementation of the business strategy.

Essential Criteria

• Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, or ACA)
• Commercial finance experience within an FMCG organisation
• Proven ability to develop business cases that support strategic decision-making
• Demonstrable experience in influencing and partnering with senior stakeholders to achieve business objectives
• Proficiency in advanced Excel functions (e.g., pivot tables, lookups, power pivots, macros) and PowerPoint for financial reporting and analysis
• Ability to clearly communicate complex financial information to senior stakeholders and non-finance audiences, both verbally and in writing
• Proven ability to work independently, manage own time, and prioritise tasks effectively under pressure

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).