Finance Manager - Operations at Old World Industries in Northbrook, IL

Position Purpose:
Reporting to Director of Operations Finance, the Financial Manager - Operations will partner with the Operations and Procurement team to provide financial analytics and recommendations to ensure sound financial decisions are made.

Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilities:

Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, and Procurement teams to ensure cost savings, working capital, and risk management goals are achieved. Develop and implement the financial planning and analysis processes to support all facets of Supply Chain, Manufacturing/Operations, and Procurement including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. Drive cost optimization initiatives by analyzing production costs, developing the annual operating plan, reviewing inflation/deflation costs, establishing internal controls, and integrating margin management, while identifying productivity opportunities. Analyze freight and transportation expenses while developing strategies to minimize freight cost per unit for optimization. Create financial models and reporting to improve the interpretation of the current financial statement; provide insights and recommendations based on financial analysis to support decision-making. Prepare Supply Chain and Manufacturing financial inputs to monthly business review package to provide management with key results, analysis, input, and information required to ensure adequate control and accountability. Establish a strong working knowledge about the business' material purchasing patterns, market trends, and manufacturing costs to drive better financial results within the organization.
Work with procurement buyers to build a material forecast and provide relevant analysis to Finance and Operations Leadership. Analyze material price variances to plan, forecast and prior year through reporting, ad hoc analysis, and business reviews.; summarize variances and discuss action plans with Finance and Operations Leadership. Oversee inventory valuation and control processes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency; implement strategies to minimize inventory holding cost while ensuring adequate supply; establish standard policies around inventory tracking and inventory management; conduct physical inventory audits at the various OWI and 3rd party locations throughout the year.
Manage cost savings process/reporting with monthly reviews to identify plan gaps and action plans with Finance and Operations Leadership. Prepare of monthly and quarterly operations reviews including cost savings opportunities, projected material variances and inventory positions. Support and evaluate accounting guidance, internal controls, financial plans, and policies for Procurement. Will also support Director of Operations Finance with ad-hoc projects as required.

Education, Skills and Abilities:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field 7+ years of financial analysis experience; experience supporting supply chain or operations teams is preferred. CPA / MBA preferred. Strong, clear, and concise communication skills, both verbal and written. Able to build relationships with internal customers, peers. Proven track record of driving process improvement, cost optimization, and inventory management in a manufacturing environment. Experience with budgets and forecasts in several areas and understanding the key drivers of that area. Ability to use analytics, benchmarking, and insights to generate meaningful strategies and solutions. Knowledge of financial regulations, compliance and risk management related to manufacturing, inventory, expenses, and freight. Experience improving and maintaining internal controls. Ability to make recommendations for efficiencies with systems and tools. Experience working across multiple departments to complete a project or resolve an organizational challenge. Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) SAP experience is preferred. Willingness to travel within region.

This opportunity offers a competitive benefits package including:

Medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness benefits Company-matching 401(k) plan Company-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment benefits Company-paid identity theft insurance Company-paid disability Flexible spending and health savings accounts Company-paid employee assistance program Paid time off and paid holidays Additional benefits included: voluntary life insurance, legal benefits, critical illness, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, and pet insurance

Old World Industries is among the largest privately held companies competing in the automotive aftermarket today. Built upon a 50-year history of ingenuity, the Northbrook, Illinois-based company is transforming the automotive, commercial and chemical industries that keep the world moving forward. Old World’s brands include a full line of PEAK® Performance Automotive Aftermarket Products including Antifreeze/Coolant, Washer Fluid, Lighting and Wiper Blades; BlueDEF® Diesel Exhaust Fluid and Equipment; FINAL CHARGE® PRO-SERIES Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolant, Fleet Charge® SCA Precharged Heavy Duty Coolant and Thermal Charge® Heat Transfer Fluid.