Sr. Manager - Financial Planning & Analysis

Westlake Chemical; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical, headquartered in Houston, seeks a senior FP&A leader to partner with the Roofing & Stone Division leadership. You will drive budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial consolidation across manufacturing operations to fuel profitable growth.

The role requires 10+ years FP&A in manufacturing, advanced Excel, and experience with HFM, SAP/JDE, and BI tools. You will lead the FP&A team, build business cases, and present insights to senior leaders.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Finance or Accounting or related field is required.
• Advanced degree and/or certifications (CPA, CMA, MBA) are highly preferred.
• Minimum 10 years FP&A experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Costing accounting background preferred.
• Prior people management experience is required.
• Advanced Excel skills including complex financial modeling and data analysis.
• Expert using HFM, Onstream or BPC.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience in operational analysis and variance reporting.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• SAP, JDE and Power BI experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual budgeting, monthly forecasting, strategic planning, and financial consolidation processes across the division.
• Develop, maintain budgets, forecasts, financial reports, operational analyses, and executive-level presentations.
• Responsible for all SG&A reporting, forecast, budget and variance analysis.
• Prepare and manage monthly, quarterly, and annual business reviews including sales and plant reviews.
• Monitor performance against budget and forecast, identify drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Communicate consolidated financial trends using KPIs and provide actionable leadership recommendations.
• Partner with Commercial Operations to analyze sales, pricing, margins, and profitability initiatives.
• Assess product/customer/channel profitability and advise leadership on growth and margin expansion.
• Manage all sales-related commission processes and rebate program coordination.
• Develop EBITDA bridges, variance analyses, and management insights.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial modeling

Data analysis

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Leadership

Education

B.S. in Finance or Accounting

Advanced degree / CPA / CMA / MBA

10+ years FP&A in manufacturing

Costing accounting background

People management experience

Tools

HFM

Onstream

BPC

SAP

JDE

Power BI

Job description

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY Reporting directly to the Roofing & Stone Division Controller, this role serves as a key finance business partner to the leadership team. This role will provide strategic financial insights, drive planning & forecasting processes, and support profitable growth across our manufacturing operations.

ACCOUNTING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the annual budgeting, monthly forecasting, strategic planning, and financial consolidation processes across the division.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate budgets, forecasts, financial reports, operational analyses, and executive-level presentation packages.
• Responsible for all SGA related reporting, forecast, budget and variance analysis.
• Prepare and manage monthly, quarterly, and annual business reviews, including sales reviews, plants’ reviews, Division business review and corporate presentations.
• Monitor financial performance against budget, forecast, and prior-year results, identifying key drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Communicate consolidated financial and operational performance trends using relevant metrics and KPIs, providing actionable recommendations to leadership.
• Partner closely with Commercial Operations to provide analytical support on sales performance, pricing strategies, margins, and profitability initiatives.
• Assess product, customer, and channel profitability and provide recommendations to commercial leadership to support growth and margin expansion.
• Manage all sales related commission processes.
• Collaborate with Pricing team on rebate program management.
• Develop EBITDA bridges, variance analyses, financial commentaries, and management insights explaining results against budget, forecast, and prior-year performance.
• Support strategic initiatives by developing business cases, financial models, investment analyses, and recommendations for leadership decision-making.
• Monitor capital spending, forecast capital requirements, evaluate project paybacks, and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Develop and enhance financial models, dashboards, and reporting tools utilizing advanced analytics and visualization technologies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase forecasting accuracy, reporting efficiency, and analytical capabilities.
• Lead, coach, and develop the FP&A team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Support and enforce compliance with SOX requirements, internal controls, and company policies and procedures.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• B.S. in Finance or Accounting or a related field is required.
• An advanced degree in Finance/Accounting and/or certification (CPA, CMA, or MBA) is highly preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in FP&A with solid track record in a manufacturing environment, with a deep understanding of operational drivers is required.
• Costing Accounting background preferred.
• Prior people management experience is required.
• Advanced excel skills including complex financial modeling and data analysis.
• Expert using HFM, Onstream or BPC.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience in operational analysis and variance reporting.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• SAP, JDE and PBI experience is a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel up to 10% including air travel or auto travel.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions — from housing and construction, to packaging and healthcare, to automotive and consumer. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.westlake.com.

Westlake (NYSE: WLK) is a global diversified industrial company that manufactures and supplies essential products that enhance the daily lives of people around the globe. Our products, now under a One Westlake brand, supply the necessary building blocks for everyday products across housing and infrastructure, packaging and healthcare, and automotive and consumer goods. Consumers gain the benefits of materials Westlake produces in products such as food packaging, medical devices, soaps and detergents, car interiors, fashion, toys, shoes, furniture, electronics, siding, stone veneer, windows, outdoor living, roofing, and pipe & fittings. Westlake is proud to contribute to driving a sustainable future through the creation of essential products that are Enhancing Your Life Every Day®.