Modern Shared Service Center. What it is and how it works?
16 April 2026When we talk about finance, many people imagine stacks of paper and endless Excel spreadsheets. At METRO GSC, we show that it can be different. Our center in Szczecin is a place where precision meets creativity, and every working day is an opportunity to improve processes that have a real impact on the entire METRO and MAKRO network in Europe.
We are undergoing a transformation that changes our role from task performers into strategic business partners. Everyday accounting stops being routine and becomes a fascinating challenge where innovation and automation meet expert knowledge.
SSC. What is it?
A Shared Service Center, or SSC, is not just about centralizing repetitive processes. In our approach, it is the heart of the organization, where we combine accounting expertise, tools and technology to operate efficiently and effectively. For us, SSC is a place where we not only execute tasks, but also improve and optimize them. As a result, METRO stores can fully focus on sales, while we become a true business partner that understands end to end processes and helps make better, data driven decisions.
What is a Shared Service Center?
In the traditional understanding, an SSC focuses on standardizing repetitive processes such as accounting, reporting or settlements. At METRO GSC, we go one step further.
Our center is a space where knowledge, technology and experience come together to ensure that daily operations run faster and more smoothly. This is where new ideas are created, and every improvement is tested, implemented and scaled to genuinely improve work quality and ensure that data is accurate and available almost immediately.
How is the SSC sector defined?
SSC is a sector that centralizes shared services and transforms them into added value for the entire organization. At METRO GSC, we define it as a space where every process is analyzed in terms of efficiency and automation potential, and where our teams have a real impact on optimization. It is a center where accounting experts work closely with technologists and process optimization specialists. Together, they create solutions that are scalable across the METRO structure and enable global support for local entities.
How does a Shared Service Center operate?
Our SSC operates like a precise mechanism where accounting expertise meets modern technology. Every process is mapped, analyzed and improved, while repetitive activities are supported by automation and the SAP S 4 HANA system. As a result, our teams can focus on development and strategic projects instead of spending hours on routine accounting tasks. The automation and AI solutions we implement allow part of the work to be performed overnight. In the morning, the data is ready for use. This not only increases efficiency, but also brings job satisfaction and a sense of real impact on global processes.
Modern shared service center versus the traditional model. Key differences
In a traditional SSC, the main objective is to perform repetitive tasks at the lowest possible cost. At METRO GSC, a modern SSC is a strategic partner that takes full responsibility for end to end processes.
Our center not only executes tasks, but also introduces innovation, optimizes processes and applies automation so that our actions genuinely support business partners and increase their efficiency. Employees become solution creators rather than task executors, which allows them to develop competencies and influence processes that shape the everyday functioning of the entire organization.
SSC benefits worth knowing
The benefits of a modern SSC are multidimensional. For us, they mean not only more efficient and precise accounting processes, but also greater employee autonomy, the opportunity to work in an international environment and participation in projects that have a real impact on the entire METRO network.
Automation and AI allow us to speed up processes, minimize errors and focus on development projects. This is also a space where creative ideas from our teams are appreciated, tested and implemented. Every new project or improvement is a step toward better service quality and a real impact on global processes. Working in such an environment gives a sense of ownership, supports competency development and provides satisfaction from knowing that everyday work is transformed into added value for the entire organization. In this way, we also create a space where every idea can find its application. This ranges from small process improvements to innovations that influence METRO operations across Europe.
As a result, our employees feel that their work is not just about following procedures, but about genuinely shaping how the company operates. Together, we are building a center that inspires continuous development, experimentation and knowledge sharing. Our daily activities become an example of how a modern SSC can be at the heart of strategic decisions and innovation.
