Sr Manager, Operations Finance - Central

About the Role

The Senior Finance Operations Manager ensures accurate financial reporting, budget planning, and cost management for the Bern KS and Pawnee NE sites. They oversee financials, submit budgets and forecasts, and track performance metrics. By analyzing production orders and consumption variances, they provide insights into operational efficiency. This role also manages test runs, new SKUs, capital projects, and continuous improvement tracking, while collaborating with the Plant Managers as a strategic partner. Additionally, they oversee Finance Managers, Process Auditors, and cycle counters, driving consistency, financial discipline, operational excellence, and strategic growth.

Responsibilities

• Manage job work orders by tracking, closing, and costing to ensure accurate accounting of materials, labor, and overhead.
• Analyze and report material usage variances (MUV), collaborating with the Site Director to identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities.
• Maintain inventory accuracy by supporting monthly reconciliation and overseeing maintenance assets.
• Coordinate inventory counts, including cycle count programs and quarterly/year-end physical inventory assessments.
• Generate monthly financial reports, comparing budget versus actuals and highlighting key performance indicators (e.g., scrap, regrind, headcount, facility and personnel costs).
• Support accounts receivable by ensuring all shipping transactions are properly recorded in SAGE X3 with necessary documentation (e.g., bills of lading).
• Ensure accounts payable accuracy by validating purchase receipts in SAGE X3.
• Lead annual budget preparation and quarterly forecasting for the region in collaboration with Corporate Accounting and Site Directors.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the general ledger structure and key financial systems (e.g., SAGE X3, MX).
• Oversee timely completion of monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial closing processes.
• Address inquiries related to financial results and special reporting requests.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or a related field.
• 4–6 years of accounting experience in a process manufacturing environment (food processing experience preferred).
• General understanding of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with computerized ERP systems (SAGE X3 preferred).
• Strong familiarity with computerized accounting systems and databases (SQL knowledge preferred).
• Must be able to pass a credit check and a criminal background check.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to multiple plant and third-party warehouse locations as needed (10-15%).

Skills

• Motivation: Highly driven and proactive.
• Communication: Strong oral and written skills for delivering excellent customer service and building relationships. Able to write reports and business correspondence and effectively communicate with managers, clients, and customers.
• Interpersonal Skills: Professional and courteous when working with employees at all levels. Skilled in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and active listening while maintaining composure. Open to teamwork and constructive feedback.
• Team Building & Culture: Actively fosters a collaborative and inclusive team environment, encouraging open communication and mutual respect. Promotes a positive workplace culture by supporting employee engagement, morale, and team-driven success.
• Confidentiality: Must uphold strict confidentiality regarding company financial information.
• Planning & Organization: Strong ability to prioritize tasks, set goals, and work efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Analytical Skills: Capable of interpreting and analyzing data, applying mathematical concepts (fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions) to practical situations.
• Adaptability & Stress Management: Able to work under pressure, meet strict deadlines, and multitask in a fast-changing environment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to talk or hear, walk, and move from place to place.
• Occasionally required to sit, use foot/feet to operate machines, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, or reach above shoulders.
• Frequently required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or touch.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Frequently exposed to allergens and/or airborne particles in the production area.
• Exposed to temperatures ranging from 50 to 115 degrees, depending on the season and workstation, and may be working near moving mechanical parts.
• Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment may be loud while production equipment is running.
• Personal Protection Equipment (including, but not limited to, boots, gloves, and/or face shields) is required during various processes in the production area. Ear plugs, safety glasses, and bump caps are required at all times in the production area.