Commercial Finance Analyst

Morrisons; Oxford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK supermarket is seeking an experienced category manager to oversee product trading, manage stock levels, and collaborate with suppliers to enhance sales and margin. This role involves strategic planning, performance monitoring, and supplier negotiations. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and interpersonal skills to influence various departments and drive the annual business plan effectively. A generous benefits package is offered, including colleague discounts and an annual bonus scheme.

Benefits

15% colleague discount

Annual bonus scheme

Generous holiday entitlement

Company pension contributions

Private healthcare

Perks with over 850 retailers

Qualifications

• Ability to seek customer perceptions to drive improvements in sales and margin.
• Ability to influence teams across Supply, Technical, Pricing, etc.
• Experience managing multiple data sources for decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Plan and monitor the purchasing and launch of products for a trading category.
• Collaborate with business colleagues to manage stock and availability.
• Negotiate with suppliers to optimize value and efficiencies.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Market interpretation

Financial analysis

Project management

Job description

About the job

In this role you will develop an understanding and expertise about your category of products and will be the driver of sales and margin. You will take responsibility for a trading category, planning, controlling and monitoring the purchasing, intake and launch of products and ranges. The role requires collaboration with key stakeholders to resolve all issues efficiently and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Plan, control and monitor the purchasing, intake and launch of products and ranges for a trading category.
• Advise Morrisons colleagues, suppliers and the Hong Kong office on customer needs for your category, build ranges and product attributes.
• Collaborate with business colleagues to manage stock, availability, waste/shrink and markdowns for all products.
• Manage product availability through communication with stores, supply chain, logistics, marketing and other departments to allow buying colleagues to manage supplier relationships effectively.
• Provide relevant admin, analysis or task support to the category team as required.
• Negotiate with suppliers to optimise value (sales and margin) and operational efficiencies around product sourcing, supply and availability.
• Deliver sales and cash margin plans, and proactively work with the category cell to develop a 12‑month business plan.
• Monitor and evaluate performance against budget/forecast—including sales volume, value, cash and profits—and ensure the Net Achieved Margin (NAM) continues to improve through markdown control and accurate stock allocations.
• Explore opportunities for sales and margin for your category and articulate these in a 12‑month plan with targets.
• Act as an active member of the category trading cell, developing understanding for buying, quality assurance, supply chain and Hong Kong sourcing specialists.
• Work closely with the supply‑chain colleague to maintain stock values, follow the Open To Buy process and reduce toxic stock.

About you

• The ability to seek customer perceptions and motivations to inform and drive improvements, and translate these into sales and margin for Morrison's.
• Ability to interpret the market and make recommendations to maximise sales and margin.
• The ability to influence with effective interpersonal skills across teams such as Supply, Technical, Pricing, etc., to drive delivery of your annual plan.
• Analytical thinking – managing multiple data sources and making appropriate decisions for sales, stock, markdown and profit.
• Ability to manage Open To Buy experience.
• Ability to use financial analysis and customer data to create and deliver a business plan that increases brand perception, sales and profit.
• Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders and suppliers.
• A track record of project‑managing and driving the benefits from an annual plan.
• Ability to trade within the constraints of trading standards and legal compliance.
• Stock flow and stocks in line with targets.

About us

• 15% colleague discount in our stores and online, plus 10% for two friends/family members
• Annual bonus scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Company pension contributions
• Private healthcare
• Perks with over 850 retailers
• Foodmakers and Shopkeepers – the only UK retailer with our own manufacturing business spread across 18 sites.
• The option to work at our head office in Bradford, featuring an on‑site restaurant, coffee shop, convenience and sample store, prayer room, free parking and regular company‑wide events and promotions.