Head of Commercial Finance

Description:

Head of Commercial Finance

Impact Food Group

At Impact Food Group, we’re more than just a school caterer. We’re on a mission to create a positive food culture and help more students enjoy healthier, better-quality food. Making a positive social impact is at the heart of everything we do. We’re constantly learning, evolving, and improving — every way, every day.

We one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.

Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.

Guided by our values, integrity, bold, impactful, humble and community; you will help us shape a workplace and culture we can all be proud of.

The Role

The Head of Commercial Finance leads Finance Business Partnering across IFG's operational regions and acts as the primary Finance partner to the COO and wider Senior Leadership Team. Leading a team of four Finance Business Partners, the role ensures Finance provides consistent, high-quality commercial support, challenge and insight across the business. Working closely with the COO, SLT, Regional Directors, Regional Operations Managers and the Head of Finance Data & Analytics, the role helps the business understand what is driving performance, identify risks and opportunities and support better decision making through clear financial and operational insight.

What You'll Be Doing

Role Responsibilities

Strategic Partnering & Leadership

Act as the lead Finance partner to the COO and Senior Leadership Team.

Lead, coach and develop four Finance Business Partners.

Build strong relationships with Regional Directors and Regional Operations Managers.

Commercial Insight & Performance

Provide commercial insight and analysis to support operational decision making.

Identify the drivers behind revenue, labour, food cost, participation, wastage and profitability.

Connect performance trends across regions to identify risks, opportunities and areas for improvement.

Data, Analytics & Reporting

Work closely with the Head of Finance Data & Analytics to deliver meaningful and actionable insight.

Champion adoption of Power BI and standard reporting across Finance and Operations.

Turn financial and operational data into clear recommendations and actions.

Forecasting & Performance Management

Coordinate regional budgets and forecasts, providing challenge and consistency.

Support operational leaders in understanding key drivers of performance.

Ensure emerging risks and opportunities are identified early.

What We Are Looking For

Technical & Professional Credentials

Significant Commercial Finance, Operational Finance or Finance Business Partnering experience within a multi-site environment.

Proven experience leading and developing Finance Business Partners or similar teams.

Strong understanding of revenue, labour, food cost, participation, margin and profitability drivers.

Strong analytical capability and ability to translate data into commercial insight.

Experience of budgeting, forecasting and performance management.

Strong stakeholder management skills with experience partnering senior operational leaders and executive teams.

ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualifications.

What’s in It for You?

The opportunity to build a career you can be proud of in a growing business.

Access to a wide range of free training, qualifications, and development opportunities

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers

Pension scheme and other great company benefits

Monthly incentives and recognition for top performers

#Join Our Team #makeanimpact

If you’re looking for your next step and want to be part of an organisation that genuinely makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, which IFG will pay for.

We are a committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements