At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and performance management for Premier Inn's F&B business.
- Company: Join a leading hospitality brand with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a matched pension, discounts on stays, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career advancement in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of F&B finance while making a real impact on profitability.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in finance, strong analytical skills, and a qualified accountant.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 78000 £ per year.
This role is responsible for leading the financial strategy, planning and performance management of Premier Inn's F&B business. Working in close partnership with the Head of F&B, it provides the commercial insight, financial challenge and strategic decision support required to optimise revenue, margin and profitability. Through ownership of planning, forecasting, analysis and performance reporting, the role influences decisions across pricing, product, supply chain and labour, helping deliver sustainable long term growth. The position holds full accountability for the F&B budget, forecasting, performance reporting and end-to-end commercial finance support. It leads a multi-manager team to deliver high-quality analysis, strategic decision support and strong operational partnership.
What you'll be doing:
- Commercial Strategy & Leadership: Lead the financial elements of the F&B strategy, shaping long term revenue, cost and margin plans. Provide financial insight and challenge on pricing, product, category and promotional decisions to maximise sales, profitability and return on investment.
- Menu & Product Economics: Lead financial planning for all menu cycles, analysing dish/category performance and modelling the impact of pricing, promos, inflation and supplier changes to ensure commercially strong menus.
- Financial Planning & Forecasting: Own full-cycle budgeting and forecasting across all F&B revenue and cost lines, integrating market trends, supplier dynamics and operational insights into clear, scenario-based plans.
- Performance Insight & Reporting: Deliver executive-ready performance reviews, deep commercial insight and automated reporting that highlight drivers of pricing, cost of sales, waste, labour and operational execution.
- Operational Partnership & Profitability: Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to improve stock accuracy, waste reduction and site-level profitability, while leading margin improvement initiatives and developing a high-performing F&B finance team.
Why You'll love it here:
- Matched Contributory Pension up to 10%
- Up to 60% off Premier Inn and Hub stays
What you’ll need:
- Proven ability to lead and develop finance teams, delivering high quality insight, reporting, forecasting and decision support.
- Strong track record of owning end to end budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes, including performance management and scenario modelling.
- Ability to shape and deliver commercial or financial strategy, translating long term objectives into clear plans and measurable outcomes.
- Advanced financial modelling and analytical skills, using data to assess opportunities, challenge assumptions and support investment and commercial decisions.
- Credibility and confidence to influence and challenge senior stakeholders, providing clear financial insight and recommendations that drive business performance.
- Knowledge of operating within a complex, multi-site consumer facing business, ideally within hospitality, retail, leisure or a similar sector.
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or qualified by experience.
Senior F&B Finance Manager employer: Whitbread PLC
Whitbread PLC is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where fun and hospitality thrive. As a Restaurant Team Member at The Warrener in Thetford, you'll enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive training, and valuable employee benefits, all while being part of a supportive team that values your growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior F&B Finance Manager
✨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 Whitbread PLC. 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 Senior F&B Finance Manager
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 Whitbread PLC.
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 Whitbread PLC'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 Whitbread PLC
✨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 Whitbread PLC.
✨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 Whitbread PLC 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 Whitbread PLC 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.
