Financial Analyst

Founded in 1963, Wawona Frozen Foods specializes in the growing and freezing of fresh fruit. As a pioneer in the frozen fruit industry, the company is a leader in producing many of America's favorite fruits, including peaches, strawberries, pears, plums, and unique mixed fruit blends. With a strong family heritage and a commitment to the highest standards of food safety, Wawona delivers products with exceptional taste, texture, and natural sweetness.

About This Role

The Financial Analyst supports the CFO and cross-functional leaders by delivering timely, accurate, and actionable financial insights. This role focuses on monitoring production performance, analyzing costs and variances, developing standard labor and cost models, and supporting pricing strategies. The Analyst partners closely with manufacturing, operations, and corporate finance teams to drive performance and ensure financial accuracy across the plant.

Responsibilities

• Production & Operations Analysis
  • Monitor and analyze production variances; work with manufacturing to identify and resolve discrepancies.
  • Reconcile daily production and shipping data using ERP; ensure finished goods reporting accuracy and integrity of production data capture.
  • Track and calculate weekly plant KPIs, including yields, throughput, and efficiency metrics.
  • Deliver in-depth weekly labor cost analysis and provide insights to improve labor productivity.
  • Review standard labor rates and analyze actual vs. standard performance across production departments.
  • Evaluate trends in material and labor usage; validate production planning assumptions and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Costing & Pricing
  • Maintain and update standard cost models, including raw materials, labor, and overhead components.
  • Support pricing strategies by analyzing cost structures, margin performance, and market trends.
  • Work with sales and operations teams to assess profitability at the product and customer level.
  • Analyze inventory valuation and ensure accurate standard costing is reflected in the ERP system.
• Financial Reporting & Planning
  • Understand financial operations of the business tracking financial performance.
  • Assist with preparation of monthly close, variance explanations, general ledger analysis and other accounting processes.
  • Manage monthly cost center reviews; ensuring budgets are in alignment.
  • Participate in quarterly plant-wide financial review and CAPEX meetings.
  • Manage outside grower process, including purchase orders, cash flow and KPIs.
  • Analyze business statistics, trends, drivers, inventory variances, bill of materials and standard costs.
  • Communicate value-added reporting tools and develop financial system reporting tools.
  • Perform general ledger close activities, including journal entries, accruals, and expense allocations.
  • Conduct comprehensive expense reviews to ensure accurate cost representation in the income statement.
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and post-close financial reports for plant leadership.
  • Lead KPI reporting and support corporate compliance metrics for environmental, safety, and quality initiatives.
  • Assist with annual budgeting and quarterly forecasts; support long-range financial planning and scenario modeling.
  • Coordinate cross-functional data collection to streamline budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Inventory & Control
  • Conduct internal control audits; ensure compliance with company policies for inventory and cost controls.
  • Analyze inventory variances; support cycle counting and procedures for slow-moving and obsolete materials.
  • Oversee accuracy of transactional activity related to inventory holds, disposals, and adjustments.
  • Validate production recipes, consumption rates, and cost roll-ups in Business Central ERP.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field required.
• A minimum of 5 years of financial analysis experience, preferably in the food industry.
• Experience with ERP software, specifically MS Dynamics or Business Central, is highly preferred.
• Prior management or supervisory experience is highly preferred.
• Project management experience is required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other MS Office products.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems and supply chain management is preferred.
• Strong ability to analyze and interpret financial data. Experience in variance analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Proven leadership skills in managing teams, assigning tasks, and driving results.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and with senior leadership to achieve company goals.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, ensuring the accuracy of all financial reporting and cost management functions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to present complex financial data in a clear and concise manner to senior management.

Location

This position will work across our Clovis and Fresno facilities.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Sick Leave
• Wawona Wednesdays, seasonal appreciation events, company apparel, Employee of the Month recognition
• Opportunity to make a real impact while being your authentic self at work

Work Environment

• Work in environments with medium to loud noise, cold temperatures, and wet/humid conditions.
• Stand, walk, and reach; occasional sitting, talking, or hearing.
• Lift/move up to 45 lbs. occasionally.
• Exposure to production environments including mechanical systems and cold storage.
• Wear required PPE and adhere to food manufacturing guidelines.

Applicants must be fully authorized to work in the U.S. and physically present in the U.S.