Senior Financial Analyst
Sappi North America is a division of Sappi Limited, a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with manufacturing operations on four continents in nine countries with sales offices in 50 countries. The Cloquet Mill, located on the banks of the St. Louis River, produces some of the highest quality heavyweight web and sheetfed products in the world. The original mill opened in 1898 and has undergone a variety of changes and improvements over the years, most recently (2013) to convert the pulp mill into a producer of Verve, a dissolving wood pulp used primarily for the textile markets. With the conversion, the pulp mill is now able to swing between dissolving wood pulp and Kraft pulp based on market needs. With a focus on responsible and sustainable operations, the Cloquet Mill is focused on energy savings improvements which have led to local, state, and national environmental recognition.
Position (Job Title): Senior Financial Analyst
Department: Finance
Work Site: Mill Cloquet
The Senior Financial Analyst position plays a significant role in the finance teams’ accounting, financial analysis and business decision support for the Cloquet Mill. The Senior Financial Analyst is responsible for manufacturing cost accounting, variance analysis and financial reporting, period-end financial closings, preparation of annual budget and periodic forecasts and operational improvement projects. Our ideal candidate will have demonstrated capabilities to partner with other members of the finance team and mill operations to enhance the financial and decision-making capabilities and to improve financial processes at the site. Additionally, candidate is a highly motivated, inquisitive and results-oriented financial professional who has proven interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and interact at all levels of the organization.
Responsibilities:
- Decision support - Provide analysis for mill decision making processes. Identify key drivers and develop appropriate analysis and reporting, including financial modeling of manufacturing costs and revenues to influence decision making.
- Financial Analysis - Provide evaluation and analysis of actual results versus budget/forecast of elements of profitability and productivity. Develop, maintain and present standard monthly reports on business performance to operations team and management.
- Budgeting and Planning - Actively participate in mill business plan and forecasting processes, product costing and evaluation of manufacturing fixed and variable costs. Build relationships and partner with mill operations to evaluate and analyze business plans and forecasts against strategic and manufacturing improvement initiatives.
- Accounting - Perform monthly accounting and period-end closing functions and activities, account reconciliations and reporting.
- Controls - Responsible for maintaining documentation and ensuring compliance with internal controls over the mill’s financial reporting and accounting and business processes.
- Process improvement - Identify opportunities and develop recommendations for continuous process and margin/profitability improvements.
- Other activities – Assists with various ad hoc project work, reporting and other tasks as necessary.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, advanced degree a plus
- Minimum 5 to 7 years relevant experience preferably in manufacturing environment (cost accounting), process manufacturing or pulp and paper industry a plus
- Strong research, analytical and critical thinking skills, detail-oriented
- Effective communication skills (written & verbal)
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and competing priorities
- Ability to work effectively in team environment and independently
- Solid computer skills, including Microsoft office suite of products
- Knowledge of integrated information systems (SAP preferred)
Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.
Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.