The Operational Finance Controller is an integral link between the Finance and Production functions and critical to the achievement of the production-related financial results of the business. Through understanding the company’s production facilities and processes, identifying and trending key production performance indicators, building robust operational and related financial analysis, and providing visibility and leadership influence on the achievement of short and long-term operational and related financial goals, the Operational Finance Controller is a critical partner and advisor to Production and Finance management teams. The Operational Finance Controller will be expected to not only maintain and improve existing process, reporting and results, but quickly and effectively build new capabilities for the benefit of Gibson.

The Operational Finance Controller is responsible for establishing, controlling and analyzing all production related costs and sku level standard profitability as well as managing a comprehensive cost control system. This includes the preparation of production related budgets and forecasts, review of actual versus budget/forecast results from the total down to sku level detail, review and analysis of sku Bill Of Materials (BOMs) for accuracy, manage the appropriate maintenance and annual updating of standard costs, analyze, determine the root cause for and suggest process changes to minimize purchase price, labor, and overhead variances. The Operational Finance Controller will also assume responsibility for capital expenditure planning including ROI and payback analysis. Proactively anticipating and communicating future financial consequences and implications of current situations and business decisions is essential.

Main duties

• Build and maintain dashboards and reports of key operating and cost indicators across skus and

product ranges

• Using this information, work with production leadership to develop impactful business-level analytics, drive process simplifications
• Develop and update COGS models and generate COGS and cash-planning forecasts for quarterly, annual, and long-range budgets and forecasts by sku and product range
• Perform multi-variable sensitivity and trend analyses to identify drivers and predictors of cost changes, and incorporate analyses into forecasting tools 
• In coordination with the Purchasing team, review and challenge supplier purchases and trends by reviewing purchasing statistics, industry standards and best practices, and support improvements
• Analyse production and operational performance data to identify trends and opportunities in key departments and provide recommendations to improve results
• Analyse actual trends, variances to budget and history, actual spending, and costs, and prepare a variety of statistical reports
• Manage a cost control system that effectively and accurately measures costs and production variances and allows for accurate projections of operating results
• Work with Finance and Production peers to drive continuous improvement of costs, processes, and systems, and ensure consistency of costing methods

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Prepare, analyze and manage annual budget and forecast processes for all production and facility costs
• Assess actual performance in light of actual results in order to update / reforecast production costs 

Capital Expenditures:

• Maintain asset management reports and models, including the forecast summary, financial reports, management fee analysis, and benchmarking report
• Develop assumptions and create proformas for potential ROI projects and/or other capital investment opportunities

 Other duties

• Provide requested information to support monthly accounting close processes
• Act as an internal consultant on various ad hoc projects and assist with creation of presentations for a variety of topics and audiences
• Where appropriate, coordinate and conduct training for employees to increase their knowledge and awareness of required financial and analytics-related processes and procedures
• Be an integral member of various project teams to change/improve processes as the company evolves
• Complete additional work as assigned
• Employee can be asked to perform other duties that are reasonable within the area of expertise

Skills and Competencies

• Expert level understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, production related cost flows and standard costing processes.
• Familiarity with Onestream and D365 ERP preferred.
• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Excel including, but not limited to V look up, pivot tables, charts, graphs and tables
• Excellent proficiency in databases and Microsoft Word
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to translate complex data into meaningful analysis for non-technical audiences
• Solid interpersonal skills with proven ability to develop and maintain effective business partner relationships at all levels of the organization 
• Strong team work and project management skills combined with ability to work as part of a cross functional team; company has a matrix structure where working across countries and functions is a part of reality
• Results oriented and driven, with a track record for delivering to plan
• Flexibility to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Able to proactively question and challenge to prioritize and identify solutions in timely manner
• Able to see the big picture but possesses a pragmatic /flexible approach to delivery
• Curious in nature and always looking to question, learn, and look for better ways to do things
• Personable, fun, team oriented

Education and Experience

• BA/BS degree (or equivalent) Finance/Accounting or Business; CPA, CMA, or MBA (or other advanced business degree) a plus
• At least 7 years of experience in finance / financial analyst roles with increasing levels of responsibility in a manufacturing environment
• Consulting experience, in addition to industry experience, a plus
• Proven ability to work with all levels of management and foster relationships with financial and operational personnel
• Must be able to work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and organize workload to meet organizational timelines in a fast paced, very high-growth environment
• Possesses the structure and process experience of a multilocation / multinational but with an entrepreneurial flair and drive
• Understands and has proven experience of how to support the growth of brands through consistency and disciplined execution

Work Environment

Internal:

• Manufacturing locations
• Office locations
• Showroom
• International locations 
• External:
• Sales office locations
• Supplier manufacturing locations

Travel Requirements

• Periodic travel to and between the company’s manufacturing and sales locations may be required (5-10%).

Physical Demands

• Basic physical stances and actions (sitting, standing, walking)