Manager Financial Planning & Analysis

Description & RequirementsSmurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.Finance Manager- Business Finance & Accounting Leader, Location: Dayton, NJ or Lancaster, PAThe Accounting and Finance organization is a mission and results driven team that operates with a strong sense of collaboration to support the business, while utilizing our technical expertise, as we manage processes to record, reconcile, and report all financial activity of the enterprise. We bring financial context into the picture when partnering with the lines of business, senior and executive management, and our board of directors.The OpportunityWe are seeking a Business Finance & Accounting leader that will report to the Area Sr. Finance Manager – Tri State Area. This individual will be responsible for the one or two manufacturing plants and will, demonstrating ability to influence plant personnel through fact-based analysis, provide insights into recommendations, analysis and drive improvements in operations, sales and the overall profitability of the plant. The Business Finance & Accounting Leader will be a business partner to the site General Manager and accountable for the bottom-line results of the facilities.ResponsibilitiesBudget & Financial preparation and reporting.Prepares annual budget and quarterly forecasts in conjunction with the plant General manager with a goal of forecast accuracy.Utilize KPI’s and plant initiatives to project future plant growth opportunities, encourage going beyond just the traditional product cost.Collaboration with Commercial Business leads to challenge and validation of top line revenue expectations.The Business Finance and Accounting Leader should be able to effectively communicate the organization’s values.Creates simplified budget and reporting processes.Balances financial and non-financial indicatorsLead monthly results communication through routinary presentation and clear reports, articulating key impactful items to the business resultsMonitor weekly results tracking, providing recommendation to drive actions to achieve or exceed targets. Timely communication with Plant/Area leaders and finance teamServes as a consultant to business partners to help develop action plans for improvementCost Take out support, review and tracking.Strategic Planning (CAPEX)Partner with the General Manger on future and long-range Capital needs to sustain and or grow the sites business opportunities.Understand competitor strengths and weaknessesTimely closure of all capital projects after in-service dateDevelop financial models for return generating projects. Make the plants accountable to deliver financial commitment after project completion, by tracking investment returns monthly to ensure project returns are achievedConduct post audits for the projects after maturity Internal ControlsThe Business Finance and Accounting Leader is accountable for overseeing all internal controls and failures of the site(s)They ensure decisions are made by those with authority to do so.They ensure key processes follow documented company policies, such as non-compliant PCard / Travel & Expenses spending, inventory, AVM/RNV (automated voucher match / received not vouchered)They ensure adequate control over the company’s local assets and financial reporting, performing quarterly balance sheet reviews with accountingThey find the right balance between effectiveness in value creation and control efficiency.Responsible for optimizing processes through IT improvement and implementation.Drive process improvements through the utilization of best practices across the organizationAnnual fixed assets auditProfitability AnalysisLeverage data systems to provide ongoing customer profitability analysis to help catch and correct margin erosion.Lead routinary analysis to ensure the customer level profitability analysis is aligned with overall plant performance and cost profileRoutinary assessment of customer and product outliers to drive corrective actions on cost models and allocationsFacilitate open discussion among business leaders on how to drive more margin through volume, price or operational changesProvide or Review PAT (profit analysis tool) for current and new customers, including information for legal contracts and credit risk/payment terms approvalsDrive people staffing discussion to right size overtime, number of shifts and headcountsAccountingActively review and validate plant WIP, Finished Goods and raw materials values.Creation and/or review of site monthly Journal EntriesReview P&L accounts and statistical data for the necessary reclassification Facilitate and assist with plant inventory counts, count verifications and reconciliation processesMonitor Customer rebates and/or cost take out commitment’s accruals for accuracy and consistencyOther tasks as deemed necessaryWorking Capital/ Cash flow monitoringServe as the facilitator to their business partners on decision making processes that drive working capital improvements or that prevent negative impacts.Partner with accounts receivable team to remedy short-term issues and create plans to act on the route case problemsProvide guidance and support for plant personnel on the execution of purchase order and receipts proceduresAd Hoc AnalysisPlant Comps in performance to other “like” plants or businessesProfitability Improvement programs if the plant is on an improvement planCompiling and Delivering Plant visit decks to Senior leadership during onsite or Teams meetingsContinuous education of plant key personnel on the set of information available, and how to use the data such as reports, visualization tools, etcThis set of duties is not intended to be a catch-all for the other ad hoc requests of the plant and or the division’s needs.What You Need To SucceedBachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or Business Administration; CPA and/or MBA preferred.Finance career progression in corporate/operations finance with 10+ years of experience. Experience in the paper and packaging industry or another manufacturing or operations environment is strongly preferred.Demonstrated experience managing and exerting influence on diverse teams, with full responsibility for hiring, development and performance management.Strong analytical ability/perspective required along with willingness to dive into the details.Strong verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated experience as a business partner to operational leaders. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, including non-finance personnel Must be a self-starter and completely self-directed, with a passion for continuous improvement and ambition to continue to grow to greater levels of responsibility.Strong PC skills in Knowledge of AS400, BPCS, Radius, MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, pivot tables and data mining. Prior Hyperion experience is desired.What We OfferCorporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellenceComprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunitiesAn attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies and potentialA career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.The salary range for this position is $102,375.00 - $170,625.00, depending on your role, level, and location. The range listed is also the expected pay for roles in Illinois and Colorado. The benefits for this role include short-term bonus incentive, health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and paid sick leave as required by applicable state/local law, 10 days of paid vacation, and 11 days of paid holidays, subject to annual change. Your pay will be based on factors such as your skills, experience, and education. To learn more about this posting, please contact your recruiter during the hiring process. You may apply online at Smurfit Westrock External Careers and the application window is expected to close by 05-Dec-2025.