The Operations Analyst is responsible for establishing, controlling, and analyzing all production related costs, product standard costs and sustaining a comprehensive cost control system. This includes the preparation of production related budgets and forecasts, review of actual versus budget/forecast results, analysis of Bills of Material (BOMs) for accuracy, facilitate 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 Operations Analyst will also support capital expenditure planning including return on investment/payback analysis as well as analysis of post-performance benefit realization. The role will proactively anticipate and communicate future financial consequences and implications of current situations and business decisions. The Operations Analyst will be an active participant in the operations unit assigned to.
The successful candidate will have multiple years of experience successfully managing a cost accounting system, developing financial planning and budgeting tools, delivering impactful financial reporting, performing accounting duties (including balance sheet reviews/reconciliations, preparation/ review/approval of journal entries), and have delivered numerous examples of insightful financial and cost savings analysis which influenced meaningful business decisions.
The candidate should be an excellent communicator and business partner to all disciplines, and must partner effectively up, down, or across the organization.
GAAP knowledge and accounting experience is core to this role, as well as prior public company corporate finance experience.
Essential Functions
- Set fully landed standard costs for purchased finished goods, and maintain standard costs for auxiliary products on the Nashville campus.
- Further define and refine costing processes and KPI for repair business.
- Performing E&O analysis and PPV reporting enterprise wide.
- Train key personnel on dashboards and reports of key operating and cost indicators across product and product ranges, definition and tracking of key KPI’s and cost reduction/ improvement initiatives to support process improvements and sustainable margin progression.
- Perform sensitivity (fixed overhead absorption, purchase, and production volumes) and trend analyses to identify drivers and predictors of cost changes and incorporate analyses into forecasting tools.
- In coordination with the Purchasing team analyze, review and support material purchase plans and supply agreements to drive improved levels of service, quality, and cost for Gibson.
- Analyze 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.
- Define key assumptions for the budget and forecasting that drive cost and activity at the production facility i.e., volumes, headcount, labor efficiency, overhead spend and absorption, etc
Required Skills/Abilities
- Understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems, production related cost flows and standard costing processes.
- Proven track record of creating robust analyses that translates into business decisions
- Experience in the consumer products industry and in manufacturing are preferred
- Must have solid budgeting/forecasting/reporting background and experience with managing multiple entities or other financial modeling experience
- 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 multinational background 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
Required Education and Experience
- BA/BS degree (or equivalent) Finance/Accounting or Business; CPA, CMA, or MBA (or other advanced business degree) a plus
- 3-5 years of experience in financial analysis/controlling, or similar environment with at least 2 years of experience in financial and/or management consulting, investment banking or similar
Essential Knowledge
- Expert proficiency in Excel. Experience with PowerBI tools and Microsoft D365 a plus
- 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 teamwork and project management skills combined with ability to work as part of a cross functional team
Personal Qualities
- 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
- Clear and logical thinker with outstanding numeric ability supported by a rounded commercial awareness
- 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
- Relish working in a company with a diverse and fast paced environment
- Proactive, confident, coupled with strong verbal and presentation skills
- Personable, fun, team oriented
Travel Requirements
- This position is mostly factory-based, and may require periodic travel to additional manufacturing and sales locations (~10%).
