Financial Analyst

The Financial Analyst will analyze financial data, support budgeting and forecasting processes, and provide insights to drive strategic decision-making. The incumbent will bring analytical rigor and critical thinking, playing a key role in enhancing company performance by bringing to life datasets through financial modeling and clearly presenting complex data in clear terms. This role is crucial for optimizing operational efficiency and ensuring the financial health of the company.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze financial performance metrics, including cost structures, production efficiency, and profitability of manufacturing operations. Analyze manufacturing and sales financial data by collecting, monitoring, and creating financial models for decision support. Assist in improving financials by analyzing results; monitoring variances; identifying trends; and recommending actions to management.
• Assist in the preparation and management of budgets, forecasts, financial models specific to manufacturing processes, and ad hoc analysis of cost accounting data sets.
• Provide timely, relevant, and accurate reporting & analysis of company performance results against historical, budgeted, forecasted, and strategic planning results to facilitate decision-making toward the achievement of the budget and strategic plan.
• Maintain and develop various financial models and standard templates distributed for use by the company during the planning processes, ensuring quality, accuracy, and focused analytic review.
• Conduct cost analysis to identify areas for cost reduction and process improvements within the manufacturing cycle.
• Prepare and present financial reports and variance analyses to management, highlighting key insights and actionable recommendations.
• Monitor inventory levels and valuation, ensuring alignment with financial reporting standards and operational needs.
• Assess and evaluate capital expenditure proposals, providing financial justification and risk analysis.
• Collaborate with Operations team to gather data and provide financial support for strategic initiatives, such as build of materials (BOMs), cost of goods sold, inventory turns, retail margin enhancement and marketing.
• Collaborate with Marketing team to analyze advertising/marketing spend performance and special projects as assigned.
• Utilize current CRM tools and data to analyze customer buying patterns and trends, and present data to inform decisions regarding existing and new customers.
• Ensure adherence to financial policies, procedures, and compliance requirements within manufacturing operations.
• Leverage private equity experience to assess potential investments, mergers, and acquisitions in the manufacturing sector, providing detailed financial analysis and due diligence support.
• Assist department and company leadership on special assignments and projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent work experience (required).
• Proven experience (2-5 years) as a Financial Analyst, preferably in a manufacturing environment, with preferred experience in private equity.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with proficiency in financial modeling and data analysis.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and cost accounting principles.
• Proficient in financial software and Microsoft Excel; Excel skills to include VLOOKUP, Pivot tables, and Power BI.
• Experience with ERP systems is a plus.
• Experience using AI for data analysis, forecasting, financial modeling and budgeting
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented and able to work independently and as part of a team.