Finance Manager - Merchandising

Leslie's; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee wellness programs

Retail discounts

Job summary

A leading pool and spa care company in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a Finance Manager to oversee the financial performance within the merchandising division. This role combines strategic leadership with financial analysis, requiring a strong background in retail finance. Key responsibilities include budgeting, performance monitoring, and cross-functional collaboration. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in finance, proven leadership skills, and advanced proficiency in financial modeling and analysis tools like Microsoft Excel. A hybrid work schedule is offered, with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in finance or merchandising.
• Proven leadership experience is required.
• Exceptional communication skills to convey complex financial information.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of annual budgets and long-range financial plans.
• Provide financial analysis of merchandising performance.
• Collaborate with teams on pricing strategies and promotional calendars.

Skills

Financial analysis

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Retail finance analytics

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics

MBA or professional certifications preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

D365

Power BI

Job description

Founded in 1963, Leslie's is the largest and most trusted direct‑to‑consumer brand in the U.S. pool and spa care industry. We serve the aftermarket needs of residential and professional consumers with an extensive and largely exclusive assortment of essential pool and spa care products. We operate an integrated ecosystem of 900+ retail locations, backyard service and repair, a robust digital platform, and manufacturing and distribution divisions across 35+ states—enabling consumers to engage with Leslie’s whenever, wherever, and however they prefer to shop. With over 60 years of providing best‑in‑class products and solutions to our customers, there is nothing that we value more than the development and growth of our team. We strive to create a positive and fun atmosphere where our Team Members feel valued and are enthusiastic about the contributions they make to the success of Leslie's.

This position is not open to agency submissions.

This position is based at our corporate office in Phoenix, AZ, and follows a hybrid work schedule. Remote work is not available for this role. Candidates must reside within commuting distance, as relocation assistance is not provided. Additionally, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer‑sponsored visa support.

Job Overview

The Finance Manager supporting Merchandising is a highly strategic and influential leader responsible for driving the financial performance of our merchandising division. The role will report to the Vice President FP&A and will serve as a key partner to leadership in Merchandising, Supply Chain, Inventory, and Marketing to cross‑functionally drive key financial outcomes of key strategic projects currently underway. The role requires a hands‑on and entrepreneurial mindset and expert analytical skills to grow profitability, control inventory, enhance operational efficiency and ensure financial execution across all channels of business. As a leader of talent, you will play a crucial role in fostering a collaborative and high‑performing culture that aligns with our team and company vision and values. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of retail dynamics, strong analytical capabilities, and proven leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Planning & Analysis: Lead the development of comprehensive annual budgets and long‑range financial plans for the merchandising department. Develop and maintain robust financial models to accurately forecast sales, gross margins, inventory levels, and operating expenses across various product categories.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Provide in‑depth financial analysis of merchandising performance against budget, forecast, and prior periods. Identify variances, trends, risks, and opportunities, presenting actionable insights and recommendations to senior leadership to inform strategic business decisions.
• Inventory Optimization: Utilize financial analysis to inform and optimize inventory investment decisions, ensuring alignment with profitability targets and accounting practices. Partner with accounting, merchandising and supply chain teams to minimize overstocks and stockouts, and manage inventory turn effectively.
• Pricing & Promotional Strategy: Collaborate with merchandising, buying, and marketing teams to develop and evaluate pricing strategies, promotional calendars, and markdown schedules that support financial objectives and market competitiveness. Develop a sale and clearance strategy.
• Cross‑Functional Partnership: Build strong relationships and facilitate effective collaboration with key stakeholders across merchandising, buying, marketing, operations, and other finance teams to ensure cohesive financial and operational strategies.
• Team Leadership & Development: Manage, mentor, and develop a team of financial analysts, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and data‑driven decision‑making within the finance organization.
• Strategic Initiatives: Experience working in dynamic environments to achieve transformational projects/goals. Identify and assess business risks and opportunities related to merchandising. Provide proactive financial insights and recommendations to enhance operational efficiency, drive profitability, and support strategic company initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field required. Master's degree (e.g., MBA) or professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CFA) preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in finance, financial planning and analysis or merchandising, with a significant focus on retail or merchandising finance analytics required.
• Proven experience in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, and complex data analysis, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong understanding of retail business models, industry trends, and key financial metrics specific to merchandising (e.g., GMROI, inventory turns, open‑to‑buy, Dead Net Profit).
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, including executive management.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving abilities, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing business challenges.
• Experience with financial planning, inventory, and business intelligence such as: D365, Adaptive, Snowflake, Anaplan, Hyperion, MFP, Power BI, Blue Yonder.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, pharmacy, dental, & vision plan options.
• Health savings account (with enrollment in the high deductible health plan option).
• Health & dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Company‑paid basic life and AD&D insurance.
• Voluntary supplemental life insurance.
• Company‑paid short‑term disability and voluntary long‑term disability insurance.
• Pre‑tax and Roth 401(k) with company match.
• Paid vacation, sick, and bereavement leave.
• Paid holidays, including a floating personal day.
• Employee assistance and wellness programs.
• Earned Wage access is available, allowing early access to a portion of your earned wages before payday.
• Product discounts at Leslie’s Retail stores.

Leslie’s recognizes a critical component to our continued success is our people. Leslie’s is proud to have a culture of inclusion that seeks to celebrate and embrace the different backgrounds and perspectives that help drive our success and support team members in developing and growing with us. We aim to create a workplace where all team members feel welcomed and valued and inspire each other every day.