Negotiable
Fixed-Term
Hybrid
Hatfield, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The Senior Finance Analyst role at Ocado Retail involves partnering with the Operations team to manage and analyze operational costs exceeding £900 million annually. This position requires a qualified accountant to provide insights for budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis while leading projects aimed at enhancing profitability. The role is pivotal in supporting decision-making processes and involves significant interaction with senior stakeholders. The position is based in Hatfield with a hybrid working arrangement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Business partner the internal Operations team and Ocado Logistics, tracking and challenging all Operational and Fee costs.
- Support the Finance Manager in monthly forecasting and annual budgeting processes.
- Provide monthly performance commentary and analysis for quarterly Network Profitability sessions.
- Lead the End-to-End Van Strategy program and perform Post Implementation Reviews for Capital projects.
- Support cross-functional projects to enhance profitability and customer proposition.
- Be the lead on weekly processes, liaising with and challenging external stakeholders.
- Support month-end Management Account processes, including Actual to Budget reporting.
- Continuous process improvement through ongoing project work.
Key Skills:
- Qualified accountant with post-qualification experience (ACCA, CIMA, ACA).
- Strong numerical and analytical skills.
- Experience in business partnering with senior and/or external stakeholders.
- Strong communication, relationship building, and influencing skills.
- Ability to articulate financial data clearly.
- Enhanced Excel skills preferred.
- Previous Retail or Operational experience advantageous.
- Organised individual thriving in a team environment.
- Inquisitive mindset focused on continuous process improvement.
- Detail-oriented and deadline-focused.
- Proactive approach with ownership of results.
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: Hatfield
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: fixed-term
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: Finance
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (6 months)
Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working – 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours
Level: Senior
Application Closing Date: Monday 5th January 2026
About Us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value. We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com. Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About The Team And The Role
This role will be joining the Operations, Supply Chain and Stock Finance team, we look after all things operational, from stock inbounding through to the management of our fulfilment and last mile spend and performance. The Finance Operations team are key business partners to the internal Operations team and work closely with our partners at Ocado Logistics; we strive to provide best in class insight & analysis into operational spend & investments to help drive improved profitability. With exposure to senior stakeholders and management of more than £900m worth of operational costs it’s an exciting role which has a real impact on the business. Reporting to the Operations Finance Manager, the role is pivotal in challenging and analysing operational costs and fees, involvement in project work, as well as providing insight for monthly packs, forecasting and budgeting processes.
What You’ll Do
- Business partner the internal Operations team, and both Ocado Logistics and Ocado Solutions, tracking and challenging all Operational and Fee costs for the Ocado.com and Zoom businesses (>£900m annually)
- Support the Finance Manager in monthly forecasting and annual budgeting processes
- Provide monthly performance commentary and analysis for the quarterly Network Profitability sessions
- Lead the End-to-End Van Strategy program and perform Post Implementation Reviews for Capital projects
- Support cross functional projects to enhance profitability and customer proposition
- Be the lead on weekly processes, liaising with and challenge external stakeholders to build a robust understanding of costs to support decision making
- Support month end Management Account processes, including Actual to Budget reporting, reviewing balance sheets and providing analysis for Board packs
- Continuous process improvement through ongoing project work
Who You Are
- Qualified accountant with experience post qualified (ACCA, CIMA, ACA)
- Strong academics with demonstrated numerical and analytical skills
- Experience of business partnering with senior and/or external stakeholders
- Strong communication, relationship building and influencing skills
- Ability to articulate financial data in a clear and transparent way
- Enhanced Excel skills preferred
- Previous Retail or Operational experience advantageous, but not essential
- Ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external to the business
- Organised individual that thrives in a team environment
- Inquisitive mindset with a focus on continuous process improvement
- An adaptable and responsive person that is open to change and challenging the status quo
- Dedication to detail, quality and accuracy
- Highly numerate and analytical with a keen eye for detail that is deadline focused and goal oriented
- Methodical, organised and responds quickly to change, whilst demonstrating a proactive approach
- Ownership of results with a motivation for continuous improvement and self-development
What’s In It For You
By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail. If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer:
- Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
- Spend & Save: Recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
- Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.
Our Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.
Your Application and AI
In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don't lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you're a great fit for us.
Everyone’s welcome
We’re an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. We want to ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply; if you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at careers@ocadoretail.com and we'll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.