Area Director Finance-Grand Forks/Fargo, ND

About the role

As a member of the local leadership management team, the Area Director, Finance I oversees one or more Distribution Centers (DCs). This key business partner works closely with the Area President and cross-functional leaders including VP Sales, VP Operations, Human Resource Business Partner, Pricing Director and VP Merchandising & Marketing to achieve Area and company key results. The role is responsible for integrating a financial lens into decision-making, driving operational improvements, and communicating financial insights to guide actionable next steps.

Responsibilities

• Own the execution of Area finance strategy and serve as advisor on long-term business financial and strategic planning to the Area President and Area functional leaders.
• Collaborate with functional partners to drive improved financial results and support strategic initiatives.
• Assess financial performance and initiate strategic actions to drive results.
• Develop appropriate financial targets/outcomes through an understanding of key operational drivers; discuss and support with the Area Leadership Team.
• Own P&L management through strategic decisions to drive EBITDA by managing costs, improving efficiencies and enhancing gross profit.
• Provide clear visibility and comprehensive guidance to the Area leadership team in meeting financial outcomes.
• Demonstrate analytical foresight to help make immediate decisions that will positively impact the future of the business.
• Partner with Controller’s Group, Managed Services, COE and Region staff to deliver timely and accurate reporting and analysis.
• Collaborate with Area functional leaders, COE and Region leadership on the annual business planning and monthly forecast for the Area.
• Be the gatekeeper for the Area team on all financial processes that affect results and highlight any potential risks and opportunities.
• Establish credibility and trust with leaders across their area by building relationships and understanding individual needs and pain points.
• Operate as a business partner by bringing an end-to-end value chain perspective, broad business acumen, and an independent point of view.
• Act as an ultimate source of truth with financial data and maintain analytical data readily available to guide discussion and decisions.
• Review balance sheet health quarterly with corporate stakeholders.
• Lead financial acumen training for all Area and DC management to improve understanding of how they contribute to the Area financial results.
• Collaborate with and influence Area leaders to understand financial complexities and make sound decisions.
• Identify opportunities for gross profit improvement and cost management and drive accountability for execution.
• Drive profitable sales growth by reviewing, providing guidance, and approving all local customer contracts and incentive agreements.
• Collaborate with Sales Excellence, Area Sales management (Local and National), and Revenue Management teams in customer profitability decisions.
• Understand critical levers to ensure the annual business plans and forecast are met through review of daily and weekly results dashboards, analyze data, provide insightful explanations of variances/trends, and coordinate action plans.
• Lead an effective Inventory Adjustments routine by collaborating with Operations, Merchandising, and Inventory Control in attaining the company targets for damage, spoilage and shrink.
• Collaborate with AVPMM and ADR to ensure inventory is aligned with the Company’s DIOH requirements and minimize nonproductive inventory.
• Partner with the Credit organization to support sales growth while minimizing risk and managing working capital.
• Increase the financial acumen across the functions at all management levels including basic to more advanced training to align specific functional responsibilities with their ultimate impact to improving financial results.
• Lead by example and own personal development (e.g., ask for feedback, act on feedback, continue to expand working knowledge).
• Drive an environment of continuous improvement; offer continual support and guidance for area team as they manage change.
• Demonstrate courage and conflict resolution to improve area team performance and drive results.
• Lead continuous improvement through performing root cause analysis, implementing solutions, and challenging the status quo to drive improved results.
• Lead the implementation of standardized work practices.
• Take initiative to solve business problems or inefficiencies, both inside and outside of their designated Area.
• Partner with Area leadership to translate and conceptualize new approaches and offer concrete guidance to drive operational cost improvements, operating efficiencies, and opportunities for the business.
• Own all field related SOX controls for the Area Hub and DCs; support control environment for all DCs in the Area by reporting and correcting any control deficiencies.
• Complete ad hoc projects, analysis and initiatives as requested.

Supervision

Dotted line supervision of Inventory Control staff.

Relationships

• Internal: Area and Region staff members, Controllers Group, COE, and all other Finance personnel
• External: Customers, Third Party Managed Services

Work Environment

Onsite: The associate in this role is expected to perform assigned responsibilities inside a US Foods office-based environment. Inside office environment; occasional warehouse and customer site visits.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 7 years of accounting and/or financial analysis management experience
• Proven experience and effectiveness in leading and influencing others
• General knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and SOX
• Broad skillset in financial analysis and financial modeling
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills
• Strong organization and prioritization skills
• Limited travel as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• BS in Business Administration, Accounting or Finance
• CPA or MBA
• Industry experience and understanding of inventory management
• Experience that includes collaboration within a functional matrixed environment and virtual leadership across multiple sites
• Anaplan experience

Physical Qualifications

The job requires the worker to perform the following physical activities for the described length of time:

• OCCASIONALLY (1%–33%): Lift 11–20 lbs (Light), Lift 21–50 lbs (Medium), Carry 11–20 lbs (Light), Carry 21–50 lbs (Medium), Push/Pull, Climb/Balance, Stoop/Squat, Kneel, Bend, Twist, Reach Above Shoulder
• FREQUENTLY (34%–66%): Walk, Sit, Lift 1–10 lbs (Sedentary), Carry 1–10 lbs (Sedentary), Grasp Objects, Manipulate Objects, Manual Dexterity
• CONTINUOUSLY (67%–100%): Drive Vehicle
• NEVER: Lift 51–100 lbs (Heavy), Lift Over 100 lbs (Very Heavy), Carry 51–100 lbs (Heavy), Carry Over 100 lbs (Very Heavy)

Notes:

• Push/Pull: Hand truck, gate, straps, metal ramp, truck door, dolly, boxes, truck gear shift
• Climb/Balance: In/Out Truck/Trailer to cab; On/Off ramp to ground level and side door steps and platform of trailer; Stairs
• Grasp Objects: Hand truck, boxes, cartons, steering wheel
• Manipulate Objects: Boxes, dolly, metal truck ramp, hand truck, paperwork, truck gate, straps
• Manual Dexterity: Typing, use of office machines such as copiers, printers

Pay

The expected base rate for this role is between $100,000 – $155,000. Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law.