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Job description

FIXED TERM CONTRACT - Maternity Cover to Dec 2026

Finance Team Member –   Job Description

Function

The Finance Team Member role supports the effective day-to-day operation of the Finance function, helping to ensure accurate financial processing, robust controls and timely information that supports wider business decision-making. The role works closely with colleagues across Finance and the wider business to maintain high standards of accuracy, compliance and operational efficiency.

This post is being recruited as maternity cover. Alongside core responsibilities, there is scope during the role to support and train across other areas of the Finance function where operationally appropriate, contributing to broader operational resilience and continuity.

Scope

• Support and help strengthen Suma’s approach to financial risk management and controls.
• Communicate clearly and consistently, advising our departments where necessary, as well as updating the whole workforce, with regard to Suma’s financial position, direction and priorities.
• To operate with due care and prudence following all Financial Laws, Regulations and Industry Standards.

The Finance Team Member role covers a broad range of responsibilities. Duties will be shared across the team depending on experience, capacity and operational priorities. 

Main Tasks:

1. Cashflow management administration, producing fortnightly cashflow pack to the agreed timetable, organising monthly meetings, liaising with relevant individuals & teams to ensure Suma’s day to day cashflow management remains at a consistently high standard
2. If you currently hold, or are subsequently assigned, budget-holder duties, you assume delegated responsibility to manage that budget in accordance with Suma’s financial procedures and policies.
3. Assisting with Budget administration, maintaining accurate budget holder lists, consistent documented training, feeding back on budget holder performance, monthly and quarterly routines to provide current data to budget holders, ensuring that budget holders understand their responsibilities and our expectations of them
4. Creating and presenting internal financial reports, as and when required by Suma’s leadership team to agreed deadlines
5. Communicate and negotiate effectively with external bodies, examples include our bankers, auditors, asset finance providers, credit insurance, suppliers and customers. You are responsible for professionally, conscientiously and appropriately securing the best advice, value and service to achieve Suma’s aims
6. Producing the financial data for the internal co-op info pack on a weekly basis
7. Capital Expenditure administration, including securing asset finance quotes in a timely manner
8. Actively take an interest in developing and improving process and procedures to deliver increased efficiency and respond to changes and developments within the area.
9. Analyse financial metrics to assess Suma's ability to turn a profit relative to items' such as revenue or assets.
10. Carry out and support risk mitigation for Finance-area risks, working collaboratively to ensure agreed controls, procedures and monitoring are effective and consistently applied.
11. Attend regular team meetings and participate in discussion around improving Suma’s financial controls. 
12. Support the development and implantation of initiatives and policies e.g. finance policy, fraud policy, data protection.
13. Responsible for insurance administration and procurement; liaising with our broker, annual renewals, periodic market review, promptly submitting claims, communicating internally to ensure that insurance regulation compliance is maintained (Insurance Team Member)
14. Provide financial assurance for projects as and when required.
15. Advise Commerce teams on the financial implications of commercial decisions, including, but not limited to, Minimum Order Values, Carriage Charges, and Discounts.

Personal Specification

• Ability to prioritise work and work to deadlines (Essential)
• Strong Numeracy and Literacy Skills (Essential)
• Excellent accuracy/attention to detail (Essential)
• Good organisational skills (Essential)
• Good understanding of Financial Controls (Essential)
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, and in particular Excel (Essential)
• Experience of financial or budget administration (Essential)
• Positive, pro-active approach, with an ability to problem-solve and implement new systems and processes as necessary (Desirable)
• AAT qualified, or experience of working in a finance role (Desirable)

Job Requirements in Relation to the Suma Member Job Description

1. Suma members multi-skill, they actively seek out training and development to enable them to take on roles in both office and non-office areas. (where practical and reasonable)
2. Suma members see the bigger picture. They have a broad knowledge of Suma and an understanding of the wider business environment.
3. Suma members put in more than they take out. They work for the collective good, actively promoting cooperative values.
4. Suma members communicate openly and honestly. They are professional and approachable, endeavouring to understand the viewpoint of others.
5. Suma members actively seek out responsibility. They self-manage and involve themselves in the management and development of their business.
6. Suma members are flexible. They are responsive to the changing needs of their business.
7. Suma members are hardworking and have a can-do attitude. They monitor both the quality of their work and their productivity to ensure they meet member standard.

Commitment

This is a temporary position for approximately 12 months or/to Dec 2026.  The role is required 4 or 5 days per week, depending on availability or experience. As a fixed-term position, end dates will be reviewed and communicated as required.  

Co-ordinators

Currently no Coordinator in post due to such a small team, for day-to-day work and organisation (Operational matters, rota) this should be communicated with the Financial Area Leader and the Finance People Development Coordinator (Reviews, Pastoral, Training).

Performance Management

Performance will be managed by the Finance People Development Coordinator, with monthly reviews for the first three months, with a shift to every three months. There are not currently formal KPIs. There are ongoing tasks that must be completed each shift to a good standard in a safe and timely manner, feedback will be gathered from the Finance Area Leader, Coordinators, Team Members and any others you work closely with.

Application information

Further details of the advert and job description, can be found on our Suma website.  Please note that we do not accept CVs, along with cover letters - however applications are welcome from anyone meeting the requirements of the role. 

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