Area Director Finance II

About the role

The Area Director, Finance II oversees one or more Distribution Centers (DCs) as a key business partner within the local leadership management team. This role collaborates with the Area President and cross-functional team members—including VP Sales, VP Operations, Human Resource Business Partner, Pricing Director, and VP Merchandising & Marketing—to achieve Area and company key results. Responsibilities include integrating a financial lens to drive key outcomes, aligning with other Area leaders to execute financial strategy, and driving operational improvements that positively impact financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Own the execution of Area finance strategy and serve as an advisor on long-term business financial and strategic planning for future growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with functional partners to drive improved financial results and support strategic initiatives.
• Assess financial performance and initiate strategic actions to drive results.
• Develop financial targets through an understanding of key operational drivers and support the Area Leadership Team in achieving them.
• Own P&L management by making strategic decisions to drive EBITDA, manage costs, improve efficiencies, and enhance gross profit.
• Provide clear visibility and guidance to the Area leadership team in meeting financial outcomes.
• Demonstrate analytical foresight to make immediate decisions that positively impact the business.
• Act as a trusted financial advisor and partner with the Controller’s Group, Managed Services, COE, and Region staff to deliver timely and accurate reporting and analysis.
• Collaborate on annual business planning and monthly forecasting for the Area, highlighting risks and opportunities.
• Establish credibility and trust with leaders by building relationships and understanding individual needs.
• Operate as a business partner with an end-to-end value chain perspective and broad business acumen.
• Serve as the ultimate source of truth for financial data to guide discussions and decisions.
• Review balance sheet health quarterly with corporate stakeholders.
• Lead financial acumen training for Area and DC management to improve understanding of financial contributions.
• Identify opportunities for gross profit improvement and cost management, driving accountability for execution.
• Drive profitable sales growth by reviewing, providing guidance, and approving local customer contracts and incentive agreements.
• Collaborate with Sales Excellence, Area Sales management, and Revenue Management teams on customer profitability decisions.
• Analyze daily and weekly results dashboards to ensure annual business plans and forecasts are met, providing insightful explanations of variances and trends.
• Lead an effective Inventory Adjustments routine by collaborating with Operations, Merchandising, and Inventory Control to meet company targets for damage, spoilage, and shrink.
• Ensure inventory aligns 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 financial acumen across functions at all management levels through training.
• Drive an environment of continuous improvement and support the team through change.
• Demonstrate courage and conflict resolution to improve team performance and drive results.
• Lead continuous improvement through root cause analysis, implementing solutions, and challenging the status quo.
• Lead the implementation of standardized work practices.
• Take initiative to solve business problems or inefficiencies inside and outside the designated Area.
• Partner with Area leadership to conceptualize new approaches and drive operational cost improvements and efficiencies.
• Own all field-related SOX controls for the Area Hub and DCs, supporting the control environment and correcting deficiencies.
• Complete ad hoc projects, analysis, and initiatives as requested.
• Provide dotted line supervision of Inventory Control staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 8 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 GAAP and SOX.
• Broad skillset in financial analysis and financial modeling.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.
• Excellent communication and 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 collaborating within a functional matrixed environment and virtual leadership across multiple sites.
• Anaplan experience.

Physical Requirements

The role requires the following physical activities:

• Stand: Frequently (34% - 66%)
• Walk: Frequently (34% - 66%)
• Drive Vehicle: Occasionally (1% - 33%)
• Sit: Continuously (67% - 100%)
• Lift:
  • 1-10 lbs: Frequently (34% - 66%)
  • 11-20 lbs: Occasionally (1% - 33%)
  • 21-50 lbs: Occasionally (1% - 33%)
  • 51-100 lbs: Never
  • Over 100 lbs: Never
• Carry:
  • 1-10 lbs: Frequently (34% - 66%)
  • 11-20 lbs: Occasionally (1% - 33%)
  • 21-50 lbs: Occasionally (1% - 33%)
  • 51-100 lbs: Never
  • Over 100 lbs: Never
• Push/Pull: Occasionally (e.g., hand truck, gate, straps, metal ramp, truck door, dolly, boxes, truck gear shift)
• Climb/Balance: Occasionally (e.g., in/out truck/trailer, on/off ramp, stairs)
• Stoop/Squat: Occasionally
• Kneel: Occasionally
• Bend: Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
• Twist: Occasionally
• Grasp Objects: Frequently (e.g., hand truck, boxes, cartons, steering wheel)
• Manipulate Objects: Frequently (e.g., boxes, dolly, metal truck ramp, hand truck, paperwork, truck gate, straps)
• Manual Dexterity: Frequently (e.g., typing, use of office machines such as copiers, printers)

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Pre-tax spending accounts.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Employee stock purchase plan.
• Life insurance.
• Annual incentive plan bonus.

Pay

The expected base rate for this role is between $120,000 - $185,000, depending on relevant experience, education, skills, function, geographic location, and other applicable factors.

Schedule

This role is primarily onsite in a US Foods office-based environment, with occasional warehouse and customer site visits.