Director, Finance

Function in a key leadership role within the business unit. Partner with cross-functional teams, providing management and metrics reporting and planning and analysis functions. Function as the finance partner for senior management and leaders within the business unit, working to facilitate and achieve accurate and timely financial forecasts, analysis, and management reporting. Incorporate a strong business partner role in terms of strategy, policy, controls, and risk management. Provide leadership and direction to management and/or professional level finance staff.

• Partner with the senior management team to grow the overall business profitability by providing management with financial information that helps drive results and achievement of financial goals
• Ensure robust financial controls are deployed consistently across the business and financial risks are appropriately managed and mitigated
• Provide clear and insightful performance measurement and drive performance management across all aspects of the business in partnership with senior management
• Ensure that forecasting (revenue, margin, profit) for the business is accurate and constantly reviewed to reflect changing market dynamics. This may incorporate sales, raw material, and cost forecasting
• Provide leadership and collaborate with senior management on finance Set pricing target margins and margin progression by segment, profit improvement programs, price increase, risk management, and mitigation strategies
• Coordinate the preparation of various reports (monthly, yearly and strategic) for the business, to include but not limited to reporting of business wins/losses to understand changing business dynamics, reporting and challenging the business pipeline to ensure alignment with business strategy, and business intelligence reporting in the area of customers, competitors, and suppliers
• Constantly strive to improve overall margin (e.g., work with procurement and supply chain to ensure we secure and retain raw material cost and process improvement benefits via the market costing approach or challenge the business to ensure we are maximizing our margins)
• Challenge and work with sales leaders in all areas of customer growth and margin management
  
  
  
  • Analyze and report on target margins by product group/customer classification; approve price quotes for new and existing business; review and challenge margins versus market place and provide insight to maximize returns; actively participate on key account teams who are working on customer insights and strategies; and function as gatekeeper and score keeper for the project pipeline, providing pricing support for key customer projects
  
  
  
  
• Participate in strategic investment decisions (M&A, Cap Ex, Joint Venture, )
• May lead accounting activities such as monthly financial closing process and preparation of monthly financial and operational results, coordinating and monitoring completeness/accuracy of monthly balance sheet reconciliations, developing accurate weekly financial forecasts, and developing financial presentations for board meetings and/or investment opportunities/decisions
• Drive a continuous Improvement mind-set across all finance processes to ensure elimination of unnecessary inefficiencies and unnecessary complexity is removed (e.g., business terms, customer segmentation, and SKU rationalization)
• Work with direct reports as a coach and partner to effectively manage their performance. Conduct formal performance conversations and hold direct reports accountable for results; work with them to cultivate their capabilities and utilize their strengths
• Ensure talent management and succession-planning strategy is executed for the finance group
• Perform management duties such as work delegation and review, performance management and development, technical direction and guidance, and mentoring and training
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills Other duties may be assigned as required

• Undergraduate degree in finance, accounting, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
• 5 or more years of diversified global business experience in the food industry in the areas of dairy finance, accounting, or related discipline coupled with 2+ years of management experience
• Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of the principles and practices of financial planning and analysis and general accounting
• Excellent financial modeling skills
• Strong knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management
• Solid business judgment and decision-making skills
• Able to provide timely, high quality and comprehensive information that allows others to take action
• Able to effectively analyze and interpret data
• Able to adapt to changing operational needs
• Able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism
• Able to work collaboratively with others, management levels within the company, and external stakeholders
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Able to demonstrate research and problem-solving skills
• Able to demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy
• Able to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines
• Able to maintain confidentiality of information
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans