Finance Manager

PLZ is committed to product stewardship and innovation, strong ethical standards, sustainable operations and most importantly, the development of our people. Whether at our manufacturing facilities or corporate headquarters, PLZ prioritizes health and safety, and offers you the support you need to create the career you want, through engagement, equity and inclusion, and opportunity.

From household cleaning solutions to personal care products, and food to automotive lubricants, PLZ produces more than 2,500 different aerosol and liquid products in our facilities across the continent. We know that being the partner of choice for our clients starts with being the partner of choice for our employees. Learn more at www.plzcorp.com/careers or visit https://youtu.be/XYNIFpLQIJY

PLZ Corp is hiring a Finance Manager at the corporate office in Downers Grove, IL.  This position reports to the Vice President of Commercial Finance with a dotted line relationship to the Strategic Business Unit (SBU) President. The Finance Manager will support the VP and the President in making good business decisions and achieving profitability and business objectives based on sound financial counsel, pricing and control, risk exposure and management, financial analysis, contingency planning and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.  This position with be responsible for the development, execution and creation of the annual operating plan, mid-year forecast and strategic plan for the SBU.  Additionally, the Finance Manager will partner closely with the SBU President, Financial Planning & Analysis team and Supply Chain team to provide business partnership and guidance in driving bottom line EBITDA via margin improvement, pricing analytics and pricing execution, cost reduction initiatives and improved operational efficiency.  Candidates should view this role as an opportunity to be the financial leader within the SBU.  

 Key Responsibility:

• Serve as an SBU leader’s key Finance partner leading forecasting, budgeting, KPI development and monitoring, and overall P&L management
• Develop and review key reports that leadership can use in evaluating business effectiveness
• Analyze costs, understanding variances against forecast, budget and prior year; a strong candidate will understand how to research and describe variances to various levels of management, and challenge the business as needed
• Prepare monthly reporting and be prepared to speak to SBU management about key risks, opportunities and business drivers.
• Support the production of monthly management reports for Executive management and the Board of Directors, including financial information, key metrics and variance analysis
• Own the SBU forecast submission prioritizing forecast accuracy
• Lead the SBU annual budgeting process, including distribution of allocations, cost and economic assumptions, and the consolidation and presentation of budgets.
• Work closely with segment/regional/industry finance leads to understand business drivers, issues and opportunities and conduct complex financial cost/benefit analyses to support growth and other strategic initiatives.
• Assist in development of Executive level presentations on business results, performance analysis, financials models, forecast and budgets.
• Participate in special projects, as needed.
• Develops and fosters a cross-functional team approach, providing financial management support to all levels of the business team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required; MBA preferred
• 7 plus years’ experience in planning, forecasting and expense budgeting
• Experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment preferred
• SAP software experience is preferred
• Cognos BI/TM1 experience is preferred
• High proficiency with MS Excel required
• Excellent analytical, reasoning and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with fluctuating priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work without direct supervision, and efficiently manage tasks and time
• Ability to work at a strategic and tactical level
• High Energy – responsive with a “Can Do” mentality

PLZ Corp offers a robust suite of benefits including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision benefits.
• Company paid Life and Short-Term disability.
• Voluntary benefits including additional life, disability, and hospital/accident insurance.
• 401k & company provided match.
• Paid Time Off
• Bonus incentive programs (Note, bonuses are subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.