Lead Finance Planning

In Cork; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail cooperative in Chester is looking for a Lead Finance Planning & Reporting Analyst. This hybrid position focuses on delivering accurate financial analysis and reporting by collaborating with business teams. You will need an accountancy qualification and experience in financial reporting. You'll support decision-making through insights and trends analysis. Additional benefits include an annual bonus, extensive holiday, and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Annual bonus based on performance

28 days holiday rising to 32 with service

Pension with up to 10% employer contributions

Access to subsidised onsite gym

30% discount on Co-op products

Virtual healthcare services

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience working in an analysis, insight, or financial reporting team.
• Solid understanding of analytical methods and techniques.
• Ability to translate technical language to a non-technical audience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with teams to deliver accurate group analysis and reporting.
• Take ownership of variance analysis and insights across business areas.
• Develop data models and dashboards for analysis and insights.

Skills

Analytical methods

Proactive approach

Communication skills

Relationship-building skills

Education

Accountancy qualification (e.g., ACA, CIMA)

Tools

SAP Group Reporting

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Lead Finance Planning & Reporting Analyst
£40,000 - £50,000 plus great benefits (Work Level 6A)
Manchester city centre - in this role you'll work in a hybrid way splitting your time between home and the office (find out more about our hybrid working policy).

We're looking for a Lead Financial Analyst to join our Central FPAR team in Manchester. We'll look to you to pull together the data that shows us our complete Group performance, which we'll use to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. You'll collect insights, spot trends to support our decision-making and build strong relationships with our finance stakeholders to add value.

What you'll do

• Collaborate with our business unit FPAR teams to deliver accurate and value add group analysis, reporting and forecasts on monthly basis
• Take ownership for weekly and periodic variance analysis and insights across group, and a variety of business areas and projects
• Develop data models to deliver analysis and insights through dashboards and visualisations
• Analyse historical financial data to identify trends and variances
• Explore new analysis techniques and methodologies to improve the quality and value of the insights we provide
• Identify and understand arising risks and opportunities, considering the financial impacts they might have and including in forecasting
• Support with the annual and interim reporting process
• Supporting with ad-hoc analysis as required by the business

What you'll bring

• An accountancy qualification (e.g., ACA, CIMA, ACA) or are currently working towards one
• Experience working in an analysis, insight, or financial reporting team
• A solid understanding of analytical methods, practices, and techniques
• Strong IT skills (including Microsoft Excel and database applications) with the role requiring SAP Group Reporting training
• A proactive approach, with curiosity to develop business insights
• Good communication skills, with the ability to translate technical language to a non-technical audience
• Good relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and challenge people inclusively

Why Co-op?

At Co-op, we're owned by our members. And because we're owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you're not just taking a job, you're joining a movement. We're an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we're powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you'll also receive:

• An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ)
• 30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands
• Stream – early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
• Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice
• 24/7 colleague support service
• Training and support for your development and career progression
• Cycle-to-work scheme

A place you'll belong

We're building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve.

We're proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we'll support you.

Please note that we may close applications for this role early.

As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.