Director of Shared Financial Services

The Director of Shared Financial Services is a strategic leader responsible for providing general accounting and transactional support services in the retail grocery industry. This role is instrumental in driving process improvements, implementing strong financial controls and ensuring efficient and effective operations. This role will be responsible for overseeing the accounts receivable, accounts payable, and financial reporting teams including ensuring performance, setting goals, and establishing a culture of collaboration and excellence.

Essential Functions

• Lead and Support SAP Hana4 design and implementation for PTP and OTC cycle. Key enabler in the design and deployment of SAP functionality.
• Expand and evolve shared services to support broader business needs beyond transactional activities.
• Drive consistent, scalable processes and promote standardization across the organization.
• Deliver exceptional internal and external customer service and enhance customer experience
• Develop and execute strategies to optimize financial processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.
• Establish KPIs and benchmarks to monitor, review and report performance.
• Establish strong accounting policies, controls and account reconciliations. Support YE close and audits
• Coordinates cross-departmentally to streamline processes and improve the overall financial workflow.
• Oversee daily operations of accounts payable, accounts receivable and order to cash functions, ensuring accuracy, efficiency and compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Effectively manage a large team across the multiple shared services departments to maintain a high level of service to Wakefern and the co-operative.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting and analysis to co-operative members to enable them to carry on with their business in an efficient and economic manner.
• Interact with Members, senior Wakefern and Finance leadership and Wakefern Finance Committee
• Identify and implement process and service improvements and implement technology tools to improve service delivery and cost efficiencies.
• Drive consistent, scalable processes and promote standardization across the organization
• Develop talent and provide coaching and feedback to team members to foster a culture of ownership, accountability, collaboration, and excellence.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies and trends in shared services and business operations.

Additional Functions

• Knowledge of system processes, data mapping, reporting and security combined with a solid technical understanding of such tools.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to design and implement efficient processes and controls.
• Coordinate and support audits, working effectively with multiple audit firms to ensure compliance and address any issues.
• Support Controllers of the co-operative as necessary.
• Increase income potential for Wakefern with expanded services offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• CPA certification required; MBA preferred.
• Experienced and knowledgeable in all areas of accounting and system processing.
• 10 years of experience managing general accounting and financial systems, Oracle/SAP required.
• Experience with a shared service model a plus.
• Experience in retail or CPG industry a plus, familiarity with a Co-Op environment a plus.
• At least 10 years of experience leading and developing a team of direct and indirect reports with a proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, promoting a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Ability to multi-task and delegate responsibilities to focus on driving strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of financial processes including Banking, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and financial reporting.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in financial software, Excel, and accounting systems.
• Ability to drive process optimization, resource allocation, and cross-departmental coordination.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to influence and guide financial operations at the highest level.
• Introducing collaborative change and change management when appropriate.
• Embrace and drive change.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Availability to work a varied, flexible schedule to meet business demands.
• Ability to monitor computer screens for long periods of time.
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule as established by the division (4 days on-site, 1 day remote).

Core Competencies

• Communicate Effectively: Communicates thoughts and ideas in a well-organized manner, encouraging two-way communication.
• Build Relationships: Creates cross-functional partnerships through the development and maintenance of constructive and cooperative relationships.
• Stay Competitive: Demonstrates a mindset of continuous improvement while exhibiting passion and enthusiasm for their work.
• Embrace Change: Looks for new ways of working by supporting advancements in processes and technology.
• Develop You: Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for personal and professional career growth.
• Drive for Results: Supports divisional and strategic objectives through achievement of work goals.

Leadership Competencies

• Think Strategically: Create a compelling vision, develop a strategy and empower others to achieve it
• Influence Others: The ability to effectively collaborate, inspire, persuade and align others
• Drive Change: Create the vision and drive the momentum for change
• Talent Planning: Build organizational and associate capability to achieve business goals
• Take Accountability: Drive a culture of ownership throughout the organization
• Inclusive Leadership: Role model inclusive leadership to leverage diversity