Director of Finance

Director of Finance

The Company

This company has been a leading producer of food products in the Pacific Northwest and around the world.  Now a $1.5 billion company, they produce various products for wholesale, retail, grocery and foodservice customers.

Overview

 

Reporting to the division Vice President, this position will be responsible for overseeing financial results of the division, sales planning, system oversight, order processing and back office functions.  The position is also responsible for planning functions, investment analysis and strategic projects.

 

Responsibilities



 

§ Financial Operations

~  Review and Report on financial results of the division

* Oversee the monthly close process

* Develop key metrics for the division

* Report on profitability of division by products and by customers

* Control inventory, accounts receivable and other

* Support integrity of data in the corporate financial systems

 

~  Financial Reporting

* Develop and maintain management reporting

* Implement oracle business analytics

* Prepare internal management and board reports

 

~  Planning

* Oversee budgeting, forecasting and strategic planning process

* Implement division strategy strategy in Finance department

 

~  Develop strategies to improve financial performance of the division

* Understand product pricing and markets

* Review product and manufacturing costs

* Help optimize product mix through sales planning processes

 

§ Sales Planning

~  Assist in coordinating the sales plan and analysis of highest profitability options given production constraints.

* Coordinate the sales plan with the operations group

* Support pricing decisions

* Coordinate sales price coverage with risk management group to ensure proper commodity

hedging

* Coordinate with supply chain management group to improve efficiency and profitability

 

§ Customer Service

~  Assist in developing best practices for customer support and order processing function

~  Work with partners to develop data exchange and automated processing

~  Ensure quality of invoicing and customer paperwork

~  Coordinate with plant shipping and corporate logistics groups

 

Qualifications

 

§ BA in accounting, finance or related field. 

§ 10+ years of demonstrated successful experience.  Divisional or corporate controllership role a plus.

§ Strong computer skills, proficient in entire Microsoft Office platform.  Experience with Oracle a plus.

§ Excellent communications and interpersonal skills.

§ Ability to work with others to achieve desired results.

§ Ability to formulate and implement operational plans.

§ Working knowledge and experience with dairy or related manufacturing process a plus.

 

Success Patterns

 

Specific experiences, skills, and accomplishments candidates should have in their backgrounds to be able to achieve the performance expectations. 

 

§ Ability to manage staff of degreed and non-degreed personnel.

§ Ability to manage multi-group projects.

§ Past experience as a divisional or corporate controller

§ Quick mathematical abilities

§ Food products industry knowledge or commodity background a plus

§ Focus on process and process improvements

 

Personal Characteristics

 

Personality traits and work style patterns that candidates should have to meet the performance expectations.

 

§ Has to be a leader.

§ Good negotiator.

§ Has to handle multi-tasks.

§ Calm but firm.

§ Analytical instead of emotional.

§ Patient and active listening.

§ Know when to sacrifice short-term optimization to ensure long-term success.

 

* Passage & Associates is an executive search firm acting on behalf of our client.