Director, Operations Finance

Position SummaryWe are searching for a strategic, hands-on, and intellectually curious finance leader to build a world-class Operations Finance function and play a key role in fueling Suja’s rapid growth. The Director, Operations Finance will serve as the senior finance business partner to supply chain and operations leadership, owning the financial performance of our vertically integrated supply chain, from procurement and manufacturing through logistics and distribution. This leader will build and develop the Operations Finance team; own product costing, COGS from an actuals and forecasting perspective, and inventory; drive gross margin expansion and cost productivity; guide capital and supply chain investment decisions; and deliver clear insights and recommendations to the CFO, CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors. This position reports to the VP, Finance.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesServe as the senior finance business partner to the operations and supply chain leadership team, shaping supply chain strategy through financial insight and acting as a trusted advisor on cost, capacity, and investment decisionsLead the annual operations and supply chain annual operating plan, including the COGS build, conversion cost, freight and logistics, and inventory plans; own the annual standard cost roll and costing methodologyLeverage cost per unit and whole dollar price/volume/mix key drivers variance analysis methodology to explain business performance vs expectationsEstablish raw materials input standard costs using last price paid, gross and net yield methodology, help forecast Purchase Price Variance (PPV) and explain actuals vs expectationsEstablish Direct and Indirect Labor, Variable and Fixed Overhead, and Depreciation standards by department/master router by utilizing Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) and similar throughput KPIsLeverage these standards to help Operations forecast future cost and regularly review performance vs expectationsEstablish freight standards by SKU and customer utilizing mode, base lane rate/surcharge, and utilization methodology and explain actuals vs expectationsOwn the monthly rolling COGS Standards and Variance forecast, translating production plans and S&OP outputs into volume, mix, and cost projections (materials, packaging, labor, overhead, yield, and freight); reconcile forecast to actuals, identify risks and opportunities, and communicate margin impactsOwn end-to-end product costing, including bill of materials and routing accuracy, standard vs. actual cost analysis, and purchase price, material usage, yield, and labor and overhead variances; translate variances into root causes and corrective actionsDrive gross margin expansion by building and governing a structured cost savings and productivity pipeline (procurement, manufacturing efficiency, yield and waste reduction, network optimization), and validate realized savings against targetsPartner with Procurement on raw material, ingredient, and packaging cost strategy, including commodity outlooks, supplier negotiations, contracting approaches, and should-cost analysisIdentify, quantify, and mitigate supply chain financial risks, including commodity and packaging price volatility, supplier and co-manufacturer concentration, tariffs, and supply disruptions, and develop contingency and scenario plans with operations leadershipProvide financial leadership over inventory, including inventory levels, days on hand, excess and obsolete (E&O) and shrink reserves, write-offs, and working capital optimization in partnership with Planning and AccountingLead financial evaluation and governance of capital expenditures and supply chain investments, including ROI/NPV/payback analysis, capex tracking, and post-investment reviewsOwn freight, warehousing, and distribution cost analytics, including cost-to-serve analysis by channel, customer, and SKU, and support SKU rationalization and new product costingPresent operations financial performance, risks, and opportunities to the CFO, CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors, with clear recommendations and action plansPartner with Accounting to ensure a timely and accurate monthly close for inventory, COGS, and operations-related accounts, and strengthen internal controls over costing and inventoryBuild, lead, and develop a high-performing Operations Finance team, providing coaching, setting clear goals, and fostering a culture of accountability, curiosity, and continuous improvementChampion the continuous improvement, automation, and scalability of operations finance systems, tools, and processes, including ERP costing modules, BI reporting, and data integrityLead strategic and cross-functional supply chain initiatives as required, such as network expansion, new facility or line start-ups, and integration of acquired operationsRelentlessly focus on helping the business operate as the low-cost producer in its line of businessNon-Essential Job DutiesMay from time to time need to attend store schematic tests or resets, club roadshows/demos, or other channel-specific retail events.Job QualificationsEducationBachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Supply Chain ManagementMBA, graduate finance degree, or CPA preferredExperience10+ years of progressive finance experience, including 5+ years in operations, supply chain, or manufacturing finance5+ years in a manufacturing environment is required; food and beverage or CPG experience strongly preferred3+ years of people leadership experience, with a track record of building and developing high-performing finance teamsDeep experience with standard costing, COGS builds, inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysisProven record of driving measurable cost savings, margin improvement, and working capital gains in partnership with operations leadersPrior experience with ERP systems, including costing, MRP, and inventory modules; NetSuite preferredKnowledgeExpert knowledge of cost accounting, product costing methodologies, and inventory valuation under U.S. GAAP.Strong understanding of the end-to-end supply chain (procurement, manufacturing, planning, logistics, and distribution) and its key financial drivers.Experience with capital budgeting, investment analysis (ROI, NPV, IRR), and make vs. buy and network decision frameworks.Demonstrated success in financial modeling, insight generation, and executive and Board-level communication.Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies and operational KPIs.Language SkillsAbility and interest in communication of technical details with cross-functional positions around the organization as well as externally.Other Abilities Strategic thinker and outstanding analytical leader with ability to synthesize information, develop insights and recommendations, and communicate effectively in presentations by developing the “story”Unquestioned ethics and integrityOutstanding organizational, analytical, and project management skillsExpert in Excel, PowerPoint, industry-standard ERP systems, and BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)Major Business/Professional ContactsRegular contact with the CFO, CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors; operations, supply chain, procurement, planning, quality, and logistics leaders; manufacturing Team Members; and the Accounting teamExternal contact with suppliers, co-manufacturers, 3PL partners, and auditorsWorking and Environmental ConditionsThis is a hybrid role with two days in the office each weekUse of computer, keyboard, and telephone requiredOccasionally functions in the manufacturing environment where temperatures are around 35 degreesMay be required to travel via car or airplane, up to 10% of the time, or as neededRequires occasional work on nights and weekendsPhysical DemandsRequires sitting for extended periodsRequires time in front of a computer screen for extended periods of timeOccasional lifting of equipment that may weigh up to 20 lbsCompensation and Benefits Come thrive at Suja Life! We offer a competitive benefits package, including:Salary ranges from $180,000 - $220,000Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and morePaid Parental Leave - 12 Weeks at 100% Pay401(k) match to help you plan for the futurePaid time off: vacation, sick days & holidaysJuice benefits: yes, we keep you fueled and refreshed!#INDHPSuja Life is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. The Company complies with all federal/local/state regulations regarding pay. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.