Finance Manager

Ocado Logistics; Hatfield; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company in Hatfield is seeking a Finance Manager - Operations for a 12-month FTC. The role involves managing financial performance and reporting, budgeting, and acting as a finance partner to senior leadership. The ideal candidate is a fully qualified accountant with strong operational finance experience, capable of influencing outcomes in a fast-paced environment. This position offers hybrid working, continuous improvement initiatives, and further career development in a significant logistics network.

Benefits

Flexible working: 30 days 'work from anywhere' policy

Private medical insurance

25 days annual leave

Pension: Up to 7% employer contribution

15% discount on Ocado.com plus partner discounts

Qualifications

• 3+ years PQE in operational finance.
• Experience managing or mentoring finance team members.
• Proven ownership of budgeting and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own periodic management reporting for fulfilment operations.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes for operations.
• Act as a trusted finance partner to senior leadership.

Skills

Operational finance experience

Budgeting and forecasting

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Line management

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)

Tools

Excel

Oracle or Hyperion

Job description

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Finance Manager - Operations

12‑month FTC

Hybrid working - 2 days per week onsite (Hatfield Head Office)

Why Ocado Logistics?

At Ocado Logistics, we're transforming the way the world shops. As the engine behind Ocado's UK operations, we bring together cutting‑edge technology, a rapidly expanding network of sites, and exciting global partnerships to deliver an outstanding customer experience.

We are the beating heart of the UK business – a connected network of fulfilment centres, delivery operations and offices working together to optimise the supply chain. For our people, this means genuine variety, visible impact, and careers where no two days are the same.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Finance Manager – Operations to join our UK Logistics Finance team.

Reporting into a Senior Finance Manager, this role sits at the centre of our fulfilment and delivery operations. You'll partner closely with Regional General Managers, senior operational leaders, and the UK Logistics leadership team, providing insight, challenge and direction in a fast‑paced, complex environment.

This is a high‑impact role with real influence – shaping decision‑making across one of the most operationally critical areas of the business. You'll take on line‑management responsibility as part of the role, with the chance to build and strengthen your leadership capability. While previous people‑management experience is welcomed, you'll be fully supported to develop and thrive if you haven't managed people before!

Why This Is a Great Role

This is a standout opportunity for a qualified accountant (CIMA / ACCA / ACA) with strong operational finance experience who enjoys being close to the business and influencing outcomes.

You'll own budgeting, forecasting and reporting for our delivery operations, translating complex operational data into clear, actionable insight for senior stakeholders. You'll play a key role in identifying risks and opportunities, driving efficiencies, and supporting strategic decisions across a large‑scale logistics network.

The role offers a balanced mix of business partnering (50%) and operational finance (50%), alongside the chance to get involved in continuous improvement initiatives – helping to define "what good looks like" across processes, reporting and trend analysis. If you thrive on pace, visibility and accountability within a business of over 16,000 employees, this role could be perfect for you.

We're looking for a go‑getter – someone with momentum, curiosity and motivation, who wants to use their experience to shape decisions, improve ways of working, and deliver meaningful results.

What You'll Be Doing

Financial Performance & Reporting

• Own periodic management reporting for fulfilment operations, delivering robust analysis and clear, insightful commentary
• Present financial performance to senior finance and operational leadership
• Build a deep understanding of operational cost drivers and performance trends
• Ensure accurate and fair cost allocation across UK clients, including Ocado Retail and Morrisons

Budgeting, Forecasting & Insight

• Lead budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes for operations
• Provide constructive challenge on assumptions, risks and opportunities
• Communicate financial risks and opportunities clearly to senior stakeholders
• Support weekly KPI reporting with strong operational and financial insight
• Business Partnering & Decision Support
• Act as a trusted finance partner to the Head of Delivery Operations, Planning team and senior leadership team
• Support decision‑making on operational efficiencies, labour models, contracts, pay reviews and business cases
• Deliver ad‑hoc commercial analysis to support strategic and operational initiatives
• Work closely with wider finance teams to align operational drivers with group KPIs

Leadership, Controls & Continuous Improvement

• Line manage and develop two direct reports, ensuring high‑quality output and strong stakeholder relationships
• Maintain and enhance financial controls across the operational cost base
• Drive continuous improvement across finance processes, reporting and ways of working
• Represent operational finance within wider finance transformation and excellence initiatives

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with 3+ years PQE
• Strong experience in operational or commercial finance within a complex organisation
• Proven ownership of budgeting, forecasting and management of reporting cycles
• Confident senior stakeholder engagement and business partnering skills
• Experience managing or mentoring finance team members
• Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical capability

Desirable

• Experience within logistics, supply chain, manufacturing or large‑scale operations
• Experience within a Labour cost base
• Exposure to external customer or partner reporting
• Experience with finance systems such as Oracle, Hyperion or similar
• A continuous improvement mindset with experience evolving finance processes

Interview Process

Stage 1: Competency‑based interview with senior finance stakeholders and a scenario based test
Stage 2: Interview focused on insight, operational understanding and problem‑solving, including a short task or case study

What You'll Receive in Return

At Ocado Logistics, we believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. Our benefits include:

• Flexible working: 30 days 'work from anywhere' policy
• Wellbeing: Dedicated wellbeing apps and Employee Assistance Programme
• Holiday: 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 after 5 years (with buy option)
• Pension: Up to 7% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance
• Family‑friendly policies: Enhanced parental leave
• Financial benefits: Interest‑free season ticket loans and Cycle to Work scheme
• Transport: Free shuttle bus services
• Share schemes: Opportunity to share in Ocado's success
• Shopping perks: 15% discount on Ocado.com plus partner discounts
• Protection: Income Protection and Life Insurance

Ocado Group is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to treating all applicants fairly, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, disability or union membership.