The opportunity:
The Sr. Finance Manager, Packaging Machinery and Automation (PM&A) will, through fact-based analysis, provide insights, recommendations, analysis and drive improvements in operations, sales, and the overall profitability of the plants. Overall Finance responsibility for 2 manufacturing locations. One in the United States and one in Europe, with $100 million of revenue.
This position is a business partner to the Vice President, PM&A, and accountable for the bottom-line results in conjunction with Plants and Region management. Will act as lead for PM&A Finance team including developing talent, mentoring, and coaching Financial Analysts, with diverse skillsets. This position will report to the VP Finance, Consumer Packaging US&C.
How you will impact WestRock:
General Business Support Analysis:
Provide accurate and timely financial analysis, and support variances from budgets and forecasts from a business perspective and work with management on problems/issues as identified and participate in providing solutions.
Drive change management across the business to drive decision making on key short- and long-term financial forecasts- including creating integrated profit dashboards (Machinery and Cartons) and automating reporting.
Provide productivity analysis to support CTO (cost take-out)
Partner with Food and Beverage OPE to analyze results and measure integrated carton margin pull through from Machinery sales.
Support weekly and monthly forecast updates from a business perspective, guiding business management on changes in volume and operating earnings.
Analyze trends in manufacturing, sales and other related areas to better understand and manage the business. Provide a fact-based understanding of the bottom-line benefit for all operations decisions and/or opportunities.
Establish WC (Working Capital) targets and drive business to WC goals
Prepare ad hoc financial and business-related analysis and research as necessary, from and for an operations and business perspective.
Responsible for leading team in the monthly S&OP and Demand planning process.
Deliver monthly, quarterly and 5 year financial forecasts.
Sales Support:
Work closely with regional sales management to implement a monthly customer sales trend and attrition tracking report. Create root cause assessments for customer attrition and develop action plans to reduce attrition rate.
Support corporate account and local account bids/analysis. Use the information to assist local management in improving operational and financial performance.
Actively monitor the profitability of all customers, but in particular those with a negative contribution margin and/or profit. Work with management to develop action plans to address customer profitability and track progress against agreed-upon goals.
Actively facilitate the price increase tracking process for price increase planning within the Region to ensure maximization of price increase efforts and enforcement of contractual terms. Provide accurate and timely information to Region and Division management on targeted/forecasted increases planned and actual implementation across the Area.
Obtain a working knowledge of all available sale\u2019s analytical tools. Educate and train local Area personnel in the use and understanding of the available tools to drive bottom-line results.
Operations and Manufacturing Support:
Provide analytical support for key manufacturing metrics including Performance Excellence, net waste, returns & allowances, machine performance, labor efficiency, capacity, headcount, safety, etc. Identify gaps and/or under-performance trends and engage the Area management team to develop solutions for operational and financial improvement.
Work with green belt leaders to establish savings targets during the define phase of CTO projects. Collaborate with the Regional Manufacturing Manager and Six Sigma teams on kaizens and operational audits.
Ensure all spare parts and inventory tracking follow corporate guidelines.
Strategy and Capital Support:
Lead the economic analysis of PM&A plant footprint optimization cases within the region.
Lead annual budget planning and implementation, along with quarterly forecast updates.
Responsible for all Area capital project economic analysis and maintaining modeling consistency (i.e., a standardized approach to calculating financial performance). Responsible for driving a sense of urgency regarding the capital development and approval process with a specific emphasis on obtaining approval and expediting installation of all capital projects related to the Strategic Optimization initiative.
Work closely with Region and Division management to develop and implement additional strategic profit improvement initiatives.
Accounting, Process and Regulatory Support:
Ensure Accounting processes and controls are implemented and followed.
Review of IPE and Revenue Recognition processes to ensure compliance with company policy
Field contact for corporate and hub accounting.
Sarbanes-Oxley and Smurfit Westrock policy and procedure compliance.
Balance sheet, AR, AP, tax and other related inquiries and requests.
Assists in Inventory Reconciliation.
Fixed Assets Audits.
Internal and External Audit Support.
Assist in resolution of remittance discrepancies.
Contacts other departments and/or outside vendors/agencies to resolve A/P issues as needed.
Supervisory:
Lead for financial area team of three including developing talent, mentoring, and coaching Financial Analysts.
Direct, train, coach, and mentor employees while demonstrating Smurfit Westrock\u2019s core behaviors
Responsible for performance evaluations & employee development plans are done effectively and on-time
Other Support / Responsibilities
Establish working relationships and consistent communication with the Area/Plant General Manager and Regional Business Analyst.
Build relationships with both internal and external customers.
Become knowledgeable in various financial and operating systems in order to provide support and direction as the Area requires.
Implement and administer procedures and best practices related to business support analytics.
What you need to succeed:
Bachelor\u2019s degree in accounting or finance, MBA strongly preferred.
Minimum six years of experience and a track record of success in finance or accounting
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Strong problem-solving skills, passion for improvement. Enjoy working in a team/collaborative environment
Advanced skills in Excel and Hyperion SmartView. Experience JDE/SAP, QlikView and Alteryx a plus.
Ability to work independently, balancing routine responsibilities with ad hoc requests
Manage and develop a team of two employees and leading indirectly other finance leads across the regions
Previous experience in manufacturing industry (corrugated/packaging), preferred but not required
What we offer:
Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability and excellence
Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies and potential
A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work
Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.
