Finance Manager - Business Finance & Accounting Leader

Smurfit Westrock; Harrison (AR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock seeks a Business Finance & Accounting leader to own the plant's financials in Harrison, AR. You will partner with the site General Manager to drive profitability through data-driven insights and actionable plans.

Responsibilities include budgeting, CAPEX planning, internal controls, and profitability analysis, with collaboration across commercial and operations teams. Strong Excel/Hyperion skills and 5+ years in manufacturing are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Accounting or Finance required; MBA or CMA preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in pulp and paper or manufacturing industry preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel and Hyperion SmartView; QlikView a plus.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and team-building skills.
• Detail-oriented and able to multitask in a changing environment.
• Ability to work independently as needed.

Responsibilities

• Budgeting, financial preparation and reporting for the plant.
• Prepare annual budget and quarterly forecasts with GM.
• Use KPIs to project growth opportunities and drive improvement.
• Collaborate with Commercial leads to validate top-line revenue.
• Create simplified budget and reporting processes.
• Report key items to the business and drive actions.
• Support cost takeout initiatives and CAPEX planning.
• Oversee internal controls and asset protection.
• Perform profitability analysis and ad hoc studies.
• Review WIP, journal entries, and inventory counts.
• Monitor working capital and cash flow; ensure accuracy.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

MBA or CMA strongly preferred

Tools

Excel

Hyperion SmartView

QlikView

Job description

We are seeking a Business Finance & Accounting leader who will report to the General Manager. This individual will be responsible for the manufacturing plant in Harrison, AR, and will, through fact-based analysis, provide insights, recommendations, and analysis to drive improvements in operations, sales, and the overall profitability of the plant. The Business Finance & Accounting Leader will be a business partner to the site General Manager and accountable for the bottom-line results of the facility.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock

Budget and financial preparation and reporting.

• Prepare the annual budget and quarterly forecasts in conjunction with the Plant General Manager, with a goal of forecast accuracy.
• Utilize KPIs and plant initiatives to project future plant growth opportunities, encouraging analysis beyond traditional product cost.
• Collaborate with Commercial Business leads to challenge and validate top-line revenue expectations.
• The Business Finance and Accounting Leader should be able to effectively communicate the organization’s values.
• Creates simplified budget and reporting processes.
• Balances financial and non-financial indicators.
• Clearly reports and articulates key impactful items to the business results.
• Serves as a consultant to business partners to help develop action plans for improvement.
• Support, review, and track cost takeout initiatives.

Strategic Planning and Capital Expenditures (CAPEX)

• Partner with the General Manager on future and long-range capital needs to sustain and/or grow the site’s business opportunities.
• Understand competitor strengths and weaknesses.

Internal Controls

• The Business Finance and Accounting Leader is accountable for overseeing all internal controls and control failures at the site(s).
• They ensure decisions are made by those with authority to do so.
• They ensure key processes follow documented company policies.
• They ensure adequate control over the company’s local assets and financial reporting.
• They balance value creation with control efficiency.
• Responsible for optimizing processes through IT improvement and implementation.
• Drive process improvements through the utilization of best practices across the organization.

Profitability Analysis

• Leverage data systems to provide ongoing customer profitability analysis to help catch and correct margin erosion.
• Facilitate open discussion among business leaders on how to drive more margin through volume, price or operational changes.

Accounting

• Actively review and validate plant WIP, finished goods, and raw material values.
• Create and/or review monthly site journal entries.
• Review P&L accounts for the necessary reclassification of costs.
• Facilitate and assist with plant inventory counts, count verifications and reconciliation processes.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.

Working Capital/Cash Flow Monitoring

• Serve as the facilitator to business partners on decision-making processes that drive working capital improvements or prevent negative impacts.

Ad Hoc Analysis

• Compare plant performance to other similar plants or businesses.
• Support profitability improvement programs if the plant is on an improvement plan.
• Compile and deliver plant visit decks to senior leadership during onsite or Teams meetings.

What you need to succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; MBA or CMA strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of related experience in the pulp and paper industry or manufacturing is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced skills in Excel and Hyperion SmartView; experience with QlikView is a plus.
• Strong understanding of key metrics.
• Large capital project financial management preferred.
• Detail-oriented team player who can consistently meet deadlines, adapt quickly, work well with all levels of the organization, and possess the ability to work independently as needed.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, computer, and team-building skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask in a continuously changing environment.

What we offer

• Corporate culture based on safety, loyalty, integrity, & respect.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.