Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis - Manufacturing Business Unit

Job DescriptionJob Description

SUMMARY

The Manager, FP&A plays a pivotal role in driving the financial strategy for the company's businesses, with a focus on ensuring financial health, stability, and sustainable growth. This role involves actively managing a team of financial analysts of varying levels of seniority, while directly managing and leading the development of budgets, forecasts, and long-term strategic plans. The Manager is responsible for conducting thorough variance analysis on a monthly basis, providing insights to control costs, optimize performance, and enable business leaders to accelerate growth initiatives. Key responsibilities include leading comprehensive business unit financial planning and detailed analysis to inform critical decision-making processes. The Manager will also contribute to the development of robust financial models, pro-forma financial statements, and other strategic financial analyses in support of high-visibility projects and initiatives. Working closely with senior executives and cross-functional teams, this role ensures alignment of financial goals with broader business objectives, positioning the company for competitive advantage in the market. In addition to technical expertise in financial modeling and analysis, the Manager must exhibit strong leadership skills, actively coaching and developing analysts to foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment. Exceptional interpersonal skills are essential, as the role involves regular collaboration across departments to influence strategy and drive key business outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning of business unit(s) in close coordination with FP&A leadership, while developing an in-depth understanding of all key financial drivers and variables impacting these related businesses
• Perform detailed department-level financial analysis to identify key trends, variances, and opportunities across multiple business areas, providing executives with actionable insights to drive performance improvements and cost efficiency
• Actively manage, mentor, and develop financial analysts, fostering a collaborative, high-performance team environment. Provide guidance and coaching to enhance team members’ analytical skills, financial modeling capabilities, and overall professional growth
• Oversee the development and execution of financial models, ensuring that analysts produce high-quality, reliable financial reports that are aligned with business strategies and objectives
• Interface regularly with US and international Accounting and international Shared Services counterparts to ensure alignment on financial data and accurate accounting recognition, fostering strong cross-functional relationships to drive operational efficiency and consistency
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of business initiatives and projects, ensuring optimal deployment of capital resources and continuous improvement in financial performance
• Provide actionable financial insights and clear, strategic reporting commentary, including comprehensive metrics reporting that supports executive decision-making and drives business unit alignment
• Support high-visibility corporate projects by providing detailed financial modeling, scenario analysis, and strategic recommendations that align with business objectives and long-term goals
• Lead the creation of pro-forma financial statements and financial models for significant initiatives, providing critical support for M&A activity, capital investments, and other strategic business decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, leveraging automation and best practices to increase efficiency and reduce manual workloads across teams.
• Collaborate closely with department leaders to provide tailored financial guidance, ensuring that department-level budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics are aligned with overall business strategy and objectives.
• Ad-hoc corporate project modeling, analysis and reporting

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• 8-12 years of experience in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), with a minimum of 3 years in a managerial role, directly leading and mentoring financial analysts to deliver high-quality financial insights and drive business performance.
• Proven experience in managing financial models, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis at a strategic level, particularly in complex, manufacturing environments.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, including building sophisticated financial models, complex analysis, and visually compelling executive presentations.
• In-depth knowledge of business strategy, financial concepts, accounting principles, and financial management best practices, with the ability to connect financial data to broader business goals
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and provide actionable recommendations, using data-driven insights to inform key decisions across the organization
• Advanced proficiency with financial software and systems, particularly major ERP & EPM solutions such as Dynamics 365 & Planful/Hyperion. Experience in leveraging these systems to improve financial processes, reporting efficiency, and decision-making
• Strong attention to detail paired with the ability to synthesize complex financial data into clear, concise summaries and actionable insights for senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional time management skills with the ability to prioritize and proactively manage multiple, often competing tasks and projects, while meeting deadlines in fast-paced environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present complex financial information to senior executives and diverse cross-functional teams of varying levels of financial literacy
• Leadership capabilities in managing and developing a high-performance team, fostering a collaborative culture, and contributing to the professional growth of team members through mentoring and talent development initiatives
• Strategic mindset with the ability to contribute to long-term financial planning, capital allocation, and decision-making that aligns with business objectives and drives growth
• Experience in cross-functional collaboration, working with various departments such as Operations, Marketing, Sales, and HR, to drive financial alignment and optimize business performance
• Experience in driving financial process improvement, including automation, system integration, and continuous optimization of financial planning and reporting workflows
• Advanced problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify, analyze, and address complex financial issues, while providing strategic recommendations that align with business goals and priorities

EDUCATION

Bachelor in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration required

Master in Business Administration (MBA) and/or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA)