Finance Operational Analyst - Accounts Payable - Remote

United Natural Foods, Inc.; Providence, Northern (RI, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

401(k)

Job summary

United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) is seeking an Analyst to strengthen AP/AR data accuracy, perform essential accounting reconciliations, and monitor performance metrics.

You will support accrual postings, journal entries, and complex financial reporting while partnering with leadership and IT teams to improve processes and ensure SOX compliance. The role emphasizes data-driven decision support, collaboration across finance functions, and a focus on risk mitigation, accuracy, and timely

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in accounting/finance.
• 3-5 years in analysis, preferably within Accounts Receivable or Payable.
• Experience with data extraction, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Experience with Power BI, SQL, and Excel workflows.

Responsibilities

• Use tools to extract data from primary and secondary sources, removing corrupted data and fixing errors and related problems, including management of escalation for internal and external partners.
• Use statistical tools to identify, analyze, and interpret patterns and trends in complex data sets to guide decision making and provide key insights.
• Deliver, track and measure Key Performance Indicators including efficiency, quality, performance, and cost-to-serve, and benchmark against best-in-class standard.
• Collaborate with leadership, stakeholders and technical resources to identify process improvement opportunities, propose system modifications, and devise data governance strategies.
• Support Internal and External audit requirements by monitoring completeness and on-time execution of deliverables (i.e. SOX, external auditors, etc).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Accounting knowledge

Data analysis

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Self-starter

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Power BI

SQL

Excel

MS Access

PowerPivot

Job description

Job Overview:
The Analyst contributes to the effectiveness of AP/AR operations by ensuring accurate data, performing key accounting and reconciliation tasks, and monitoring performance metrics. This role identifies process risks and improvement opportunities, supports the timely posting of accruals and journal entries, and prepares financial reports that enable informed decision-making. The Analyst collaborates with leadership and technical teams to enhance systems and processes, ensures compliance with audit and SOX requirements, and helps maintain consistent, high-quality execution across financial operations.

What does it mean to be part of our Finance/Accounting Team?
A role on our Finance and Accounting team involves helping UNFI maintain and grow its financial health as we continue to transform and scale. We need to ensure that our financial analysis and statements revolve around constant communication with our partners within the organization as well as outside to provide the most current statistics for our business health. By being attentive to details, trends, and inefficiencies, and communicating with our teams, you'll be key to our success and continued growth as North America's premier grocery wholesaler.

Job Responsibilities:
Core Responsibilities

• Use tools to extract data from primary and secondary sources, removing corrupted data and fixing errors and related problems, including management of escalation for internal and external partners.
• Use statistical tools to identify, analyze, and interpret patterns and trends in complex data sets to guide decision making and provide key insights.
• Deliver, track and measure Key Performance Indicators including efficiency, quality, performance, and cost-to-serve, and benchmark against best-in-class standard. Foster open and effective communication with Leadership to exchange insights on factors that will impact SLA achievement, productivity, and staffing levels.
• Responsible for reviewing assigned business processes from end-to-end to identify and address operational,financial,and technological risks. Continuously identify opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Responsible for posting of appropriate accruals, completing journal entries, reconciles and reviews assigned accounts, period account reconciliations, evaluating, coordinates accounting matters with other departments and locations, prepares complex financial reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Collaborate with leadership, stakeholders and technical resources such as, engineers, programmers, and PMs to identify process improvement opportunities, propose system modifications, and devise data governance strategies.
• Support Internal and External audit requirements by monitoring completeness and on-time execution of deliverables (i.e. SOX, external auditors, etc).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:
Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform duties

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience in Analysis, preferably within Accounts Receivable or Payable
• Macro automation and Microsoft Power Business Intelligence
• SQL programming
• Six Sigma/Lean process improvement
• System Implementation preferred

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Advanced understanding of accounting, reconciliations, and back-office administration functions.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office Suite, including Access, PowerPoint, and expert proficiency in Excel and PowerPivot/PBI.
• Demonstrate sound decision making within appropriate level of authority and adherence to company policy.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization including leadership both verbally and in writing.
• Strong administrative skills including attention to detail, organization.
• Ability to prioritize workload and handle workload changes as they occur in a highly fast paced office environment to meet deadlines.
• Analytical ability to perform account research and reconciliations to resolve disputes.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and develop relationships with internal departments to resolve outstanding issues quickly.
• Self-starter who takes initiative.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

Work Environment:

• Remote Role: This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.
• Travel (minor): This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

Physical Environment/Demands:
Office Roles:

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

About UNFI: We are North America's premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000+ employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI
Benefits: Competitive 401k, Flexible PTO plan, Remote, Health benefits - first of the month following 30 days of employment, mentorship program/developmental opportunities.

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation:

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits:

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI's compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company's sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.