Company: ASDA
Role: Finance Manager
I’m a Finance Manager at Asda, working within logistics. My role is a mix of finance, operations and problem-solving, ultimately helping sites understand their performance and the financial impact behind it.
A big part of what I do is supporting distribution centres with reporting and analysis. I help turn operational data – things like KPIs (key performance indicators) – into clear financial insight, so sites can see how they’re performing against plan and understand what’s driving any variances. Alongside that, I’m involved in wider network projects, particularly those focused on improving efficiency and reducing costs.
This isn’t a typical finance role. While traditional qualifications like CIMA or ACCA can be helpful, they’re not essential. What matters more is being comfortable with numbers, having strong Excel skills, and being able to communicate clearly with operational teams. It’s about translating data into something meaningful and practical.
I didn’t go to university, but I built my career through experience and developing skills on the job. Strong GCSEs in Maths and English have definitely been important, alongside growing confidence with systems and data over time.
What attracted me to the role was the opportunity to work closely with operations and add real value. Finance in logistics isn’t just about reporting numbers; it’s about helping teams understand what those numbers mean and supporting them to improve performance. Whether it’s identifying cost pressures or supporting a new initiative, you can directly influence how a site operates.
The best part of the role is the variety. No two days are the same, and you’re constantly working with different teams, from site colleagues to senior leaders. There’s always a new challenge to get stuck into, whether that’s analysing performance, supporting a project, or finding ways to save costs across the network. I also really enjoy the problem-solving side, digging into the detail and working out what’s really going on.
The highlight of my career so far has been progressing into a Finance Manager role. It’s a step that reflects the experience and knowledge I’ve built up, and it’s given me the opportunity to have a bigger impact across the business.
For anyone thinking about logistics, I’d say don’t assume you need a specific background or qualification. There are lots of different routes in, and roles like mine show how varied the sector can be. If you enjoy working with data, solving problems and being part of a fast-paced environment, it’s a great place to build a career.