Lead Finance Analyst

Co-op Group; Scunthorpe; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail cooperative in the UK seeks a Lead Finance Analyst to support cost management and financial decision-making. The role includes engaging with department leaders, building financial models, and providing insights for strategic planning. Candidates should possess an accountancy qualification and experience with financial reporting and analysis. The position offers a hybrid working model with competitive benefits, including a bonus, pension contributions, and 28 days of holiday.

Benefits

Annual bonus based on performance

28 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension with up to 10% employer contributions

Access to subsidised onsite gym

30% discount on Co-op products

Virtual healthcare services

Training and career progression support

Qualifications

• Recognised accountancy qualification required.
• Experience with working on budgets and forecasts.
• Strong Excel skills, including advanced formulas.

Responsibilities

• Manage budgets and explain variances with Departments.
• Build financial models for accurate reporting.
• Deliver payroll analysis and cost reporting.
• Analyse trends to provide actionable insights.

Skills

Accountancy qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent)

Experience with budgets, forecasts, P&Ls

Strong IT skills, including Excel

Attention to detail

Confidence in presenting data

Proactive mindset

Job description

Lead Finance Analyst

£45,000 to £50,000 plus great benefits (Work Level 6A)

Location: Manchester/Scunthorpe (hybrid working - typically two to three days per week spent across our Manchester and Scunthorpe offices, with at least one day each week based in Scunthorpe)

Co-op Wholesale is growing, and we're looking for people who want to help shape what comes next. As a Lead Finance Analyst, you'll help us make sure we're managing costs responsibly while supporting long‑term goals and investment decisions. You'll work closely with colleagues across the business to support decision‑making, spot risks and opportunities, and help shape our financial future.

In this role, we'll look to you to provide senior leaders with the data they need to control costs effectively and plan for the future. You'll play a key part in building and maintaining financial models, telling the story behind the numbers, and supporting our wider Finance team with accurate, timely reporting.

Why this role matters

We're building something big at Co‑op Wholesale. With a refreshed structure and exciting plans ahead, we're creating new opportunities to strengthen our proposition for our independent retailers, key accounts, and a growing corporate client base. To do this, we need to make sure we're making the right decisions with our resources and managing cost effectively to support our long‑term goals and help us invest where it matters most.

This is your chance to help bring new ideas to life and make a real impact across Co‑op Wholesale. Be part of it.

What you'll do

• Engage with cost centre owners and department leaders to manage budgets, explain variances and optimise spend, by building strong relationships across the business
• Work closely with our Financial Control team to ensure accurate, well understood monthly costs and own accruals and payments for Wholesale overhead costs
• Build and maintain financial models to support accurate reporting and forecasting, engaging with key partners in finance and the wider business
• Own the monthly Wholesale overhead cost reporting producing reconciliations and variance analysis across business areas
• Deliver payroll analysis and cost reporting, including salaries, group recharges, and accruals/prepayments
• Analyse trends and provide actionable insights to support decision‑making
• Own the weekly trade meeting reporting, working with stakeholders across the business, to drive improvements to reporting, process and data collation
• Drive continuous improvement of forecasting, reporting processes, and planning tools

What you'll bring

• A recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent)
• Experience working with budgets, forecasts, P&Ls, balance sheets and cash flow
• Strong IT skills, including Excel (XLOOKUPs, advanced formulas) and planning tools
• Great attention to detail and the ability to prioritise in a fast‑paced environment
• Confidence in presenting data and insights to financial and non‑financial audiences
• A proactive mindset and a passion for continuous improvement

Why Co‑op?

• 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 welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work.

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.

Learn more about our recruitment process at jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process and our inclusion commitments at jobs.coop.co.uk/diversity-inclusion

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.