Job Description

Finance Planning and Reporting Manager

£50,000 to £60,000 plus great benefits (Work Level 5)

Manchester City Centre/Hybrid working

Enjoy genuine flexibility in how you work, with the freedom to work remotely alongside days in the office to connect and collaborate with your team

At Co-op, every investment we make and every pound we generate helps us deliver value for our members, customers, colleagues, and communities. That's why we're looking for a Finance Planning and Reporting Manager to take ownership of one of the most important areas of our financial planning: Cash and Capital.

In this high-profile role, you'll provide the insight that shapes how we invest in our business, manage resources effectively, and deliver sustainable growth. Working closely with senior leaders across our Food business and Finance teams, you'll lead forecasting, planning, and reporting activities that influence key decisions.

This is more than producing forecasts. You'll be at the centre of conversations about business performance, future investment, and financial priorities, helping leaders understand the risks, opportunities, and drivers that impact Co-op's future success.

Why this role matters

Cash and Capital are critical to how we grow, invest, and deliver for our customers and communities. From funding strategic initiatives to supporting day-to-day operations, strong financial planning in this area helps make sure Co-op remains resilient, sustainable, and ready for whatever comes next.

As our Finance Planning and Reporting Manager, you'll provide the insight and challenge needed to turn financial data into business decisions. Your work will help shape investment choices, improve forecasting accuracy, and give senior leaders the confidence to make informed decisions about the future of our Food business.

What you’ll do

• Lead financial planning, forecasting, analysis, and reporting activity for cash and capital
• Deliver accurate and insightful financial reporting, including month-end reporting and in-year forecasting
• Partner with finance and business teams across Co-op to make sure risks and opportunities are reflected in budgets and forecasts
• Co-ordinate and manage forecasting activity, including our 13-week cash flow forecast
• Provide meaningful commentary and insight to support decision-making
• Use data and analysis to identify key performance drivers and make recommendations for improvement
• Help colleagues across Co-op develop a greater understanding of financial performance
• Identify opportunities to improve financial planning and analysis processes, tools, and ways of working
• Keep up to date with industry developments and best practice to continuously improve our approach

What you’ll bring

We’re committed to making our roles as accessible as possible, so we only ask for the minimum criteria. To thrive here, you’ll need to bring:

• A recognised accountancy qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
• Experience of cash and capital reporting and forecasting activities
• Experience of short-term cash flow forecasting, including 13-week cash forecasting
• Experience partnering with and influencing senior partners
• Good communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of finance systems, general ledger processes, and business intelligence tools

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
• Private healthcare
• 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.

As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up 15-20 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.