Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst

Department: Finance
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
FLSA Status: Exempt

FP&A Analyst is responsible for supporting the organization's financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and strategic analysis functions across International Food Solutions (IFS) and its affiliated companies. This position serves as a trusted business partner to the Chief Financial Officer by providing financial insights, operational analysis, and data-driven recommendations that support executive decision-making, profitability, and long-term organizational growth.

Working collaboratively with Accounting, Operations, Human Resources, Purchasing, Sales, Fleet, Warehouse, and executive leadership, this role develops financial models, monitors key performance indicators (KPIs), evaluates operational performance, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and financial results. The Financial Analyst plays an integral role in annual budgeting, forecasting, labor planning, capital planning, and strategic initiatives while helping leadership make informed business decisions across multiple business entities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Lead and support the annual budgeting process across multiple departments and business entities.
• Develop monthly, quarterly, and annual financial forecasts.
• Prepare rolling forecasts and long-range financial plans.
• Develop financial models to evaluate business initiatives, staffing plans, capital investments, and operational changes.
• Perform scenario planning and sensitivity analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Monitor actual financial performance against budgets and forecasts.
• Analyze revenue, expenses, labor costs, gross margins, and profitability.
• Identify key financial drivers impacting business performance.
• Recommend strategies to improve financial performance and operational efficiency.

Financial Reporting & Executive Analytics

• Prepare monthly financial reporting packages for executive leadership.
• Develop and maintain executive dashboards and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Create departmental scorecards and operational performance reports.
• Prepare financial presentations for ownership and executive leadership meetings.
• Present financial trends, risks, and opportunities in a clear and actionable manner.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting requirements.

Operational Finance & Business Partnership

• Partner with Operations, Human Resources, Purchasing, Sales, Fleet, Warehouse, and departmental leaders to support financial decision-making.
• Analyze labor costs, overtime, staffing trends, and workforce metrics in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Monitor departmental spending and operating expenses.
• Analyze customer profitability, product margins, pricing strategies, and service line performance.
• Support inventory analysis and identify opportunities to improve inventory utilization and reduce carrying costs.
• Evaluate return on investment (ROI) for capital purchases, equipment, technology, and operational initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost savings, and increased profitability.

Budget & Cost Management

• Assist department leaders with annual budget preparation.
• Monitor departmental budgets and spending throughout the fiscal year.
• Perform variance analysis and recommend corrective actions when appropriate.
• Monitor capital expenditures and project-related spending.
• Assist leadership with financial planning for organizational growth initiatives.

Financial Systems & Data Management

• Maintain financial models, forecasting tools, and reporting templates.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial data.
• Develop automated reports and dashboards that improve financial visibility.
• Assist with financial system enhancements and reporting efficiencies.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to financial reporting and analytics.

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Support month-end and year-end financial close activities.
• Assist with internal and external audits.
• Ensure compliance with company financial policies and internal controls.
• Maintain confidentiality of financial, payroll, and organizational information.
• Assist with implementation of financial reporting best practices and process improvements.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in strategic planning initiatives and special projects.
• Provide financial analysis for mergers, acquisitions, expansions, or new business opportunities as assigned.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support Finance and executive leadership.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• MBA, CPA, CMA, or CFA designation preferred.

Experience

• Five (5) years of progressive experience in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), corporate finance, financial analysis, or accounting.
• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and executive reporting.
• Experience working within multi-entity organizations preferred.
• Experience within food manufacturing, food distribution, logistics, warehousing, or related industries preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting experience.
• Advanced financial modeling and analytical skills.
• Ability to translate financial information into actionable business recommendations.
• Strong understanding of financial statements, profitability analysis, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow analysis, and variance reporting.
• Ability to analyze operational trends and identify opportunities to improve business performance.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including PivotTables, Power Query, XLOOKUP, complex formulas, and financial modeling.
• Proficiency with Sage 100 ERP preferred or equivalent ERP platform. 
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams preferred.
• Experience with ADP reporting and labor analytics preferred.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems, inventory management systems, and business intelligence tools.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.

Core Competencies

• Financial Planning & Analysis
• Budget Development
• Forecasting
• Financial Modeling
• Business Acumen
• Strategic Thinking
• Executive Reporting
• Data Analytics
• Operational Finance
• Business Partnership
• Problem Solving
• Decision Support
• Continuous Improvement
• Collaboration
• Accountability
• Integrity

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Frequent use of a computer, calculator, and other standard office equipment.
• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to travel periodically between company locations as business needs require.

Working Conditions

• Professional office environment with frequent interaction across multiple departments.
• Standard business hours with flexibility during budgeting cycles, month-end close, year-end close, audits, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Occasional travel between company locations may be required.