Plant Finance Manager - Manufacturing

Ferrero SpA; Fairfield (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Plant Finance Manager to provide critical operational and financial support in a dynamic manufacturing environment. This role will involve collaborating with the operations team to drive process improvements and enhance analytical capabilities. You will be responsible for preparing financial reports, monitoring performance indicators, and supporting strategic initiatives. Join a passionate team dedicated to innovation and excellence, where your contributions will directly impact the success of the organization. If you are a results-driven leader with a strong financial background, this is the opportunity for you to make a significant difference.

Benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Annual Bonus based on performance

Comprehensive health benefits

Financial wellness programs

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in corporate finance, preferably in supply chain.
• Strong leadership experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial support to the plant and supply chain organization.
• Prepare and distribute financial reports and forecasts.
• Drive planning and forecasting processes for the plant.

Skills

Communication Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Financial Modeling

Collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Tools

SAP

MS Office (Excel & PowerPoint)

Accounting software

Database software

Job description

For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s, NERDS, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy, and Trolli to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Plant Finance Manager - Manufacturing

Job Location: Fairfield

Want to make an impact?

The Plant Finance Manager - Manufacturing is a position responsible for providing critical operational and financial support to the plant and broader supply chain organization. This highly visible role will be responsible for supporting day-to-day business partnership with the operations team as well as driving best-in-class improvements in process and analytical capabilities. This role will also support network-wide control and analysis objectives.

Ways you will make a difference

• Act as part of the plant leadership team including support of plant initiatives in safety, quality, continuous improvement and ongoing operations
• Prepare, review and distribute daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual financial, operating and executive reports
• Provide specific, actionable and forward-looking commentary on changes in the monthly/quarterly financial forecasts
• Monitor and develop new performance indicators, highlighting trends and analyzing causes of unexpected variances
• Track expenses versus budget, analyze fluctuations and identify shortfalls and cost savings opportunities
• Drive the plant’s planning and forecasting process
• Assist in the development of the operating strategic plan
• Develop financial models and analyses to support strategic network initiatives
• Collaborate with IT on identifying and implementing business systems necessary to meet reporting requirements
• Support the senior management team and department heads with in-depth analysis
• Assist in preparing annual financial information provided to external auditors
• Provide technical expertise and best-in-class process improvements
• Participate and sometimes lead various manufacturing projects resulting in a well-controlled operating system – projects will vary depending on business needs
• Ensures internal controls are followed and that cycle counts, receiving/shipping documents, production order confirmations and other miscellaneous activities are entered into SAP in a timely and accurate manner
• Review accuracy of bills of materials including shrink percentages and routings and update to demonstrated plant performance capabilities.
• Provide day-to-day and weekly support of spending control and production order accuracy

Inherent in each position is a general duty to maintain each respective work area in a safe and sanitary condition. Regular, predictable, full-time attendance is required as an essential function of this position. The employee may be required to perform other such duties within the scope of their employment as may be assigned. The employee must also possess the ability to take direction, follow instructions, work with others, follow work rules and schedules, and focus on details.

Skills that will make you successful

COMPETENCIES/SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership and drive for results through effective collaboration
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial modeling skills
• Proven track record of driving change and process improvements
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with a sense of urgency
• Intellectually curious and a proven thought leader
• Ability to deal with ambiguity, change and a dynamic business environment
• Strength of character; must be tough-minded and able to deal with change, and unafraid to positively challenge status quo

LANGUAGE SKILLS - Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Strong communication, written, oral and interpersonal skills are required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS - Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY - Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Experiences that will support your success

• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in corporate finance, ideally with supply chain or plant finance experience from a top CPG organization
• Prior finance leadership experience in a manufacturing plant or standard cost environment strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting
• COMPUTER SKILLSTo perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Accounting software; Database software; Advanced proficiency in MS Office, primarily Excel & Power Point. SAP experience strongly preferred.

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits here.

Compensation

$120,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience.

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.