Financial Analyst

SunOpta, Inc.; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SunOpta, Inc. is seeking a Financial Analyst to join the plant leadership team in Modesto.

You will provide day-to-day financial analysis and reporting for the Plant Management Team and the Eden Prairie HQ Finance team, delivering timely feedback on performance against budget and helping maintain internal controls. You will prepare cost analyses, investigate variances, support cost reduction projects, manage inventory and batch transactions, contribute to forecasts and the annual budget, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 2+ years of relevant work experience.
• Experience with Oracle ERP and advanced Excel preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare weekly and monthly cost analyses against target and budget.
• Identify root causes of variances and assist in mitigation.
• Develop and improve reporting to support plant leadership in cost management.
• Collaborate with plant team to identify and measure cost-reduction initiatives.
• Close manufacturing batches with Operations and Logistics for accurate recording.
• Analyze data for weekly KPI reporting and provide insights to Plant Manager.
• Support inventory analysis, adjustments, and physical counts; ensure approvals.
• Prepare month-end journal entries, reserves, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Assist with forecasts, annual budget, and what-if analyses for new opportunities.
• Support internal and external audits and CAPEX budgeting.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Financial analysis

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Oracle ERP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Summary:

As a key member of the plant leadership team, the Financial Analyst is responsible for providing day-to-day financial analysis and reporting for the Plant Management Team and the Eden Prairie HQ Finance team.This position is responsible for providing timely and accurate feedback to the site team regarding tracking of actual performance to budget. Additionally, this position is responsible for assisting in the maintenance of the internal control environment.The Financial Analyst is expected to acquire a detailed understanding of the plant’s operations and loss points and develop strong working relationships with both the Plant and Eden Prairie HQ teams.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Prepare weekly and monthly analysis of actual costs versus target.
• Identify root causes of variances and lead or participate in efforts to mitigate.
• Develop and improve analysis and reporting to support plant leadership in managing cost performance to goal and drive cost reduction.
• Partner with other plant team members to identify, implement and measure cost reduction projects.
• Review and close manufacturing batches working closely with Operations and Logistics team to ensure that all batch transactions are accurately recorded.
• Capture and analyze data for weekly reporting on plant KPI’s and provide explanations and insights to Plant Manager for communication during the weekly performance review with Sr Ops Leadership.
• Perform on-going analysis of inventory transactions and accuracy, ensure required approvals for all adjustments, partner with Logistics team to improve inventory accuracy and turns.Support and participate in physical inventory count processes.
• Prepare journal entries, inventory reserve calculations, account analysis and reconciliation, and internal control documentation for the month end close process.
• Preparation of periodic forecasts and the annual budget.
• Assist with “what if” scenario financial analysis for new business opportunity as requested
• Manage internal and external audit processes
• Maintain CAPEX budget and RCA processes
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Finance, Operations, Cost Accounting experience preferred.
• 2+ years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• In-depth knowledge of Oracle accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
• Intermediate to Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Good collaboration skills.
• Strong project leadership and team leadership skills.
• Detailed understanding of inventory goods movement transaction flow.
• Strong analytical skills along with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong Financial Analysis skills – P&L and Balance Sheet
• Self-starter with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, problem solve and work with limited supervision.
• Deliver strong performance independently and as a member of multiple teams.
• Good understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and Sarbanes Oxley
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Considerations:

• Travel Expectations: Up to 15%.
• Location: This role can be located out of our Corporate Office in Eden Prairie, MN or out of one our SunOpta plants located in either Alexandria, MN, Midlothian, TX, or Modesto, CA
• Please Note: This role is an onsite role at one of the locations listed above, this is not a remote or hybrid opportunity.
• Majority of work is performed in an office environment.
• Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.