Finance Manager- Category

The Finance Manager - Category position has been newly created to support our explosive organic and acquisition growth. This position will play a key role in driving financial performance and strategic decision making across the nine product categories. This position will be responsible for financial planning, analysis and business support related to category profitability, pricing and procurement strategies. The Finance Manager - Category will be responsible for collaborating closely with category managers, procurement teams and senior leadership to optimize margins, enhance financial visibility and support growth initiative. The positon will also assist with the analysis of product profitability and other financial information in support of the Company’s growth initiatives, as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

· Complete comprehensive variance analyses and provide insight to management regarding current financial trends

· Lead financial planning, budgeting and forecasting processes for assigned categories

· Analyze category-level financial performance, identifying trends, risks and opportunities

· Develop, analyze and report on trends in key performance indicators (e.g.; volume, gross margin, inventory)

· Provide financial insights to guide category product assortment, promotional planning and product sourcing strategies

· Analyze and report on the impact of trade spend and promotional activity

· Support vendor negotiations by providing data-driven financial recommendations

· Validate and Track savings from vendor negotiations

· Analyze supplier agreements, rebates and trade spend to maximize profitability

· Evaluate the impact of new product introductions

· Partner with the sales, operations and financial management on evaluating customer and product profitability and new program opportunities

· Manage scorecards and KPIs

· Team with others within Accounting/Finance on other duties/projects as required

Education:

· Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance required; Master’s Degree preferred

Position Requirements:

· 2 years of direct working experience finance, FP&A or category management, preferably in food distribution

· Experience in margin analysis, pricing strategies and vendor financial negotiations

· Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously

· Must be detailed oriented, possess exceptional analytical skills and be able to work independently

· Advanced skill level with Excel and prior experience with ERP Systems

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

· Attention to detail and highly organized with ability to proactively identify and solve problems

· Collaborative, team player and self-starter energized by working in a fast paced and growing company

Company Profile:

Lipari Foods is a regional full-line deli, bakery, packaging, and grocery distributor, headquartered in Warren, MI. We are a premier store distributor, delivering 37,000 food and packaging products to 32 states and 14,000 retail accounts. We operate several manufacturing facilities from a USDA fresh food plant to facilities specializing in jar goods, cheese and confections. We are in your communities providing food to your stores and feeding your families and neighbors. And we are growing. Fast. In fact, Lipari Foods was recently named by Crain’s Business as one of the fastest growing companies in Michigan, and we’re not just growing in Michigan!

We are looking for talent with a can-do mindset, focused on growing a career, and interested in working on a diverse, dedicated team to create something greater collectively. Together, we are delivering more than great food to build a better tomorrow.

Lipari Foods LLC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.