131855BR

Westlake, OH

Job Description

As this is a hybrid role working out of our Creative Studios in Westlake, Ohio, we will focus on candidates who currently reside in Northeast Ohio.

The Director of FP&A will be responsible for the company's day-to-day execution of the company’s global FP&A activities. He/she will lead company-wide processes including the annual operating plan/budget and long-range planning, as well as oversee the monthly rolling forecasting process. This individual will work directly with leaders of all functional teams to assist in planning, forecasting, reporting and analyzing financial and operational results. This position includes responsibility for and development of the global FP&A team.

The Director of FP&A will be responsible for working with the senior leadership in setting the corporation’s strategic direction. The scope of work includes long term organic growth strategy as well as M&A related initiatives. He/she will lead all financial efforts that support the development and implementation of American Greetings’ overall strategy.

The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in financial planning, analysis, and modeling, with a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive data-informed decisions across multiple business units.

In addition to overseeing day-to-day FP&A activities, this role requires expertise in building and maintaining three-statement financial models, forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analysis to provide actionable insights for decision-making at the senior management level.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Financial Planning & Analysis Leadership:
o Lead the financial planning, analysis, and reporting functions for all business units including Product, Merchandising, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain, and partner with our International team. Own the annual budgeting process, monthly rolling forecasts, and long-term strategic planning.
o Manage all cash flow forecasting working closely with VP Treasurer on optimizing cash management.
• Three-Statement Model Development:
o Design, develop, and maintain comprehensive financial models, including Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements. Ensure the accuracy and functionality of models for scenario analysis, decision support, and financial forecasting.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
o Serve as a financial partner to senior leadership across business units, providing financial insights, analysis, and recommendations. Work closely with Accounting, Sales, Supply Chain, Business Intelligence, and International Units to support data-driven business decisions.
• Business Performance Analysis:
o Analyze financial and operational performance across all departments, identifying key drivers of business results and working with leadership to implement improvements. Monitor variances from budget and forecast and provide actionable insights to optimize financial performance.
o Lead team efforts to monitor industry trends, channel evolution, and key competitors’ strategies and tactics; identify and evaluate issues that could potentially impact company’s competitive position, and financial performance. Build commercially viable strategies to grow new or existing profit pools.
• Strategic Financial Support:
o Provide strategic financial analysis for business decisions, including pricing strategies, cost optimization, capital allocation, and new product development. Ensure alignment between financial strategies and corporate objectives.
o Provide finance support for Business transformation including supporting M&A initiatives. Quantification, measurement and presentation of project benefits and investments.
o Support M&A efforts, including due diligence and financial modeling. Manage acquisition-focused business development pipeline. Partner with BU leaders to identify and evaluate potential acquisition opportunities.
o Challenge budget holders on corrective action required to achieve performance targets and budgets
• Reporting and Forecasting:
o Oversee the preparation of periodic financial reports, including monthly forecasts and annual budget. Develop presentations for senior management, highlighting key financial insights and risks.
• Team Leadership and Development:
o Lead and mentor a team of FP&A professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture. Provide guidance on financial modeling, forecasting techniques, and business analysis.
• Process Improvement:
o Continuously review and improve financial planning and reporting processes, leveraging best practices, tools, and systems to drive greater efficiency and accuracy in financial management.

Experience Required:

Required Length & Type of Experience:
• 8+ years in a FP&A role; leadership experience required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Significant experience in strategic planning and multi-entity forecasting
• Global consumer goods or manufacturing experience required.
• M&A experience
• Strong team leadership capabilities and communications skills; an ability to work with and influence a variety of different positions within an organization.
• Dynamic, pro-active and enthusiastic leader with the financial and interpersonal skills that will allow him/her credibility across the business.
• Strong financial acumen, broad business skill set and strong strategic thinking capabilities.
• Highly articulate with the ability to communicate effectively with various levels in an organization including senior leaders.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member under deadline pressures; set priorities; multitask, drive change and respond to demands from multiple sources.
• Ability to structure a problem and lead complicated quantitative analysis.
• Demonstrated planning and organizational skills with a deadline driven focus.
• Strong proficiency in financial modeling and advanced Excel skills; experience with financial planning software (e.g., SAP-BPC, Anaplan, SAP).
• Strong verbal and written skills as well as the ability to effectively present financial data to senior management and business partners.
• Robust analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent financial modeling experience and skills

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Statistics, Business Administration or other relevant degree.
• Preferred: MBA, CMA, or CFA

Career Site Category

Corporate Jobs