Lead Finance Planning & Reporting Analyst

Co-op; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retail organization is seeking a Lead Finance Planning & Reporting Analyst to join their Central FPAR team in Manchester. This hybrid role requires collaboration on financial analysis, reporting, and forecasting. The ideal candidate will have an accountancy qualification and experience in a financial reporting team. Additional skills in analytical methods and strong IT proficiency, particularly in Microsoft Excel and SAP Group Reporting, are essential. Competitive benefits and inclusive culture offered.

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

Early access to pay via Stream

Virtual healthcare benefits

24/7 colleague support service

Training for career development

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Accountancy qualification or working towards one.
• Experience in an analysis or financial reporting team.
• Understanding of analytical methods and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with business units on analysis, reporting, forecasts.
• Take ownership of variance analysis across groups.
• Develop data models and dashboards for insights.

Skills

Analytical methods

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Education

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

Tools

SAP Group Reporting

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 at https://jobs.coop.co.uk/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 them 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 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.