Lead Financial Analyst

The Lead Financial Analyst is a senior-level finance professional with 8–10+ years of progressive experience in accounting, financial planning, budgeting, and financial systems within a manufacturing environment. This role serves as a key finance partner to operations, driving financial visibility, cost discipline, and data-driven decision-making.

The Lead Financial Analyst owns critical components of the month-end close, reporting, costing, inventory analysis, and forecasting processes, while providing leadership and guidance to other Financial Analysts. This position requires a deep understanding of company operations, financial systems, and cross-functional processes to proactively analyze results and influence business performance.

• Lead and actively participate in month-end close activities, including system close transactions, variance analysis, and cost center reviews.
• Review and validate accounting transactions across plant cost centers, inventory, manufacturing variances, and SG&A.
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to senior leadership and corporate stakeholders.
• Lead costing and material margin analysis, identifying risks and improvement opportunities.
• Oversee and support the annual standard cost update process.
• Develop and deliver monthly working capital and inventory performance reporting, including aging, turns, and obsolescence analysis.
• Serve as primary finance contact for inventory audit support and compliance documentation.
• Partner with the Manager of Planning & Reporting to support the annual planning and budgeting process.
• Develop financial and operational models to support forecasting, scenario analysis, and strategic decision-making.
• Lead and mentor Financial Analysts, ensuring analytical rigor, consistency, and development of technical capabilities.
• Drive process improvements in reporting, forecasting, and financial controls.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• Strong accounting foundation with experience in month-end close and financial planning & performance analysis.
• Proven experience with inventory accounting and standard costing in a manufacturing environment.
• 8–10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• SAP and financial systems proficiency required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience or ability to guide and mentor analysts.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage deadlines, prioritize effectively, and maintain strong attention to detail.