At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive financial performance and support strategic decisions for our Rail Gourmet business.
- Company: Join SSP, a leader in the rail and hospitality sectors with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy employee discounts, health support, and award-winning training programmes.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working model and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping financial strategies and collaborating with key stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance, strong analytical skills, and confidence in client interactions.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About the Role
Location: London Based Hybrid
We are looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Finance Manager to help drive the financial performance, insight and strategic direction of our Rail Gourmet (RG) business. This is a broad, hands-on role covering business partnering, management accounting, FP&A and commercial support across new and existing client contracts. You will work closely with RG Operators, business partners, and key client accounts – playing a vital role in shaping decisions, optimising performance, and ensuring robust financial governance across the RG portfolio. In this high-impact role, you will partner with senior stakeholders, deliver meaningful financial analysis, and support strategic initiatives that drive value and operational excellence across SSP’s Rail Gourmet business.
What you’ll be doing
- Act as a trusted financial partner to RG Operators and management, supporting strategic and operational decision-making.
- Build strong client relationships by delivering financial insights and contributing commercial input during client meetings.
- Prepare robust financial models and scenario analysis to evaluate new business opportunities and contract revisions.
- Deliver insightful reporting and analysis to support performance reviews and identify improvement opportunities.
- Lead the annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting and financial planning cycles for RG client accounts.
- Manage month-end processes, including journals, reconciliations and financial statements to support audit requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance financial processes, productivity and reporting quality.
What we’re looking for
Essential
- Proven experience in a complex, client-facing or retail environment.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen with a track record in management accounting, budgeting and planning.
- Experience business partnering with operational teams.
- Confidence attending and contributing to client meetings.
- Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical capabilities.
Desirable
- ACCA or CIMA qualified, ideally with 5+ years post-qualification experience.
- Experience in the rail, hospitality or contract services industries.
- Familiarity with SAP S/4HANA.
- Experience developing financial models for bids, tenders or commercial proposals.
Why Join us
- Employee Discounts across our brands (over 400 locations)
- Friends and Family Discount App
- Award-winning training, apprenticeships and development programmes
- Health & Wellbeing support
- Hybrid working model with flexibility for work-life balance
- Inclusive and diverse workplace with employee networks and communities
Ready to start the best part of your journey? Join us at SSP and play a key role in shaping the financial performance of our Rail Gourmet business – where your insight, collaboration, and ownership will help drive our success across the UK and beyond. At SSP, we value diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects a range of backgrounds, skills and perspectives.
Finance Manager employer: SSP Group
Contact Detail:
SSP Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn to find folks who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its financial performance. Understand their business model and be ready to discuss how your skills can help them achieve their goals. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and have your own questions ready to show your interest!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re the perfect fit for the Finance Manager role. It shows you’re keen and professional!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications and updates all in one place!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in management accounting, budgeting, and any client-facing roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our Rail Gourmet business. Share specific examples of how you've driven financial performance and built strong client relationships in the past.
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical capabilities, don’t shy away from showcasing your advanced Excel skills. Mention any financial models or scenario analyses you've developed that led to successful outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on the path to joining our team at SSP!
How to prepare for a job interview at SSP Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the Rail Gourmet business and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this role involves partnering with RG Operators and management, practice building relationships. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with clients or operational teams, and be prepared to share these stories during the interview.
✨Excel at Excel
Advanced Excel skills are a must for this position. Before your interview, ensure you're comfortable discussing your experience with financial modelling and scenario analysis. You might even want to prepare a quick example of a model you've built in the past.
✨Showcase Continuous Improvement Mindset
The role requires driving continuous improvement in financial processes. Be ready to talk about specific instances where you've identified inefficiencies and implemented changes that enhanced productivity or reporting quality.