Financial Analyst – North American Sales & Marketing

Reporting to the Director of North American Sales and Marketing, the Financial Analyst will have primary responsibility for supporting the North American Sales and Marketing organization. Primary focus will be in the areas of volume and sales budgeting, forecasting, ad hoc analysis, customer P&L?s, SKU rationalization, essbase management, capital expenses, sales and marketing operating expenses and proforma development.  Position also involves month end activities relating to volume analysis, customer list development and promo analysis

? Provide financial expertise and recommendations to enable effective sales/promotional event decisions for North American sales team.  Provide sales team with adequate decision making capability to manage trade calendars, investment decisions and overall customer performance

? Work with sales team to develop accurate sales and trade forecasts.  Analyze sales and trade variances to annual plan, forecast and prior year, provide insight to sales team.

? Calculate trade accruals for each period close.  Monitor period accruals for accuracy as cash spending is processed and update balance sheet (liability balances) as necessary.  Ensure accrual process is compliant with all SOX requirements.

? Partner with Shared Service Center to analyze deduction/payment processes and timing to maintain accurate A/R.

? Provide ?pre? and ?post? promotion event analysis.

? Manage customer pricing based on cost data.

? Provide coaching to sales team to enhance their financial skill sets and build partnering relationships that ensure both functions are working together to enhance team performance.

? Support US and Canadian VP Sales and Marketing with business reviews, sales and financial reports and management presentations.

? Lead annual plan and monthly forecast as it relates to customer volume, pricing, promotions, broker expense and sales and marketing operating expenses.  Provide analysis and perform reviews with management.

? Prepare financial analysis and P&L?s for new business opportunities.  Work directly with field sales to assemble program details.  Work directly with operations to develop cost assumptions.  Pull data together to develop P&L scenarios.  Provide recommendations to management and field sales on program viability.

? Lead key division projects for customer profitability and sku rationalization.

? Lead and provide key sales support for essbase.

? Coordinate various month-end responsibilities including:

1. Pricing rate variance analysis (List and promotions)

2. Cause of Change analysis (variances for mix, rate and volume), Package mix analysis vs. plan.

3. Monthly customer and mix volumes.

 

Bachelor?s degree in finance or accounting.

Approximately 4+ years experience in Finance Management

Proficient in Essbase, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and able to learn various in-house software applications

Experience with the close cycle in industry (managing the close).

Experience with BPCS and Cognos

MBA is a plus

Previous consumer products related industry experience

 

Advanced knowledge of Accounting Controls ?
Has knowledge of G.A.A.P., appropriate for the role.
Ensures that adequate control mechanisms are in place.

Follows procedures to ensure integrity of data.

 

Advanced ability in the area of Financial Analysis
Identifies information needed to prepare and validate analysis.
Interprets and draws conclusions from financial information.

Recognizes when numbers indicate need for more extensive follow through and extracts meeting from data by recognizing trends and patterns.

Advanced level of achievement as an Indispensable Business partner ?
Demonstrates an orientation to detail.
Ensure accuracy of information and quality of output.
Manages conflict and resolves issues.

Delivers what has been promised

 

Proficient in demonstrating Business Savvy ?
Understand the impact of one?s work on the organization.

Knows the overall systems and processes used in the organization pertinent to the role.

Proficient in Project Management ?
Prioritizes effort to achieve maximum results.
Sets project plans, including task assignments, resource requirements, assignments and cost constraints.

Performs sufficient follow up to ensure project progress.

Ability to multi-task and add efficiencies to processes.

Ability to work in a fast paced and quickly changing environment.

Ability to manage and motivate individuals.

Integrity ?
Demonstrates integrity and high personal standards.

Makes decisions bases on analysis of issues and uses sound judgment

Continuous Improvement ?
Gets going on important priorities.
Overcomes obstacles and takes appropriate risks.
Finds improved ways of getting results.

Teamwork ?
Builds and maintains productive working relationships, even in difficult situations.
Works across the organization to develop the best approaches and get the best results.

Gains cooperation from others

Sense of Urgency ?
Works with end result in mind, despite obstacles.
Meets deadlines, despite obstacles.
If flexible in approach to work

Meets changing demands and priorities

Accountability ?
Takes responsibility for issues.
Strives for high performance.
Uses technical knowledge effectively.
Emphasizes problem prevention

Identifies and implements ideas for improvement.

Developing People ?

? Coaches and develops people.

? Gives frequent realistic feedback.

? Recognizes rewards and prudent risk taking.

Delegates responsibility and authority to learn.