Assistant Controller/Senior Financial Analyst

Flender•Elgin, IL

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role serves as a strategic partner to the Controller and business leadership team, combining financial planning and analysis, manufacturing cost accounting, business performance management, and advanced data analytics. The successful candidate will support forecasting, budgeting, profitability improvement, and business performance management while building scalable financial processes to support organizational growth. They will use analytics, AI-enabled tools, automation, and process mining to uncover insights, improve decision-making, and drive operational efficiency. This is an opportunity for a high-performing finance professional seeking a long-term leadership path. The position is based onsite at the Elgin, Illinois facility to support close partnership with operations and business leadership. Over time, a hybrid arrangement of up to two remote days per week may be available, depending on performance, business requirements, and organizational needs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
5–10 years of progressive experience in financial analysis, FP&A, manufacturing finance, cost accounting, or controlling.
Strong experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and business performance analysis.
Experience supporting manufacturing operations, including standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.
Advanced Excel skills, including financial modeling and analysis of large data sets.
Experience with ERP systems.
Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and drive change across functions.
Track record of identifying and implementing process improvements using advanced analytics, AI tools, or other automation technologies.
Proficiency in Python, Power BI, SQL, Microsoft Fabric, or other advanced analytics tools.

Nice To Haves

SAP S/4HANA experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted business partner to sales, operations, and leadership, providing financial insights for profitable growth and strategic decisions.
Partner with business leaders to evaluate opportunities, risks, investments, pricing initiatives, and operational improvement efforts.
Translate complex financial and operational data into actionable recommendations for executive management.
Lead annual budgeting and monthly forecasting cycles across the business segment.
Perform variance analysis, identify business drivers, and develop corrective action plans.
Prepare and present monthly and quarterly business reviews covering financial performance, risks, opportunities, and trends.
Develop financial models for strategic planning, scenario analysis, and business performance improvement.
Analyze manufacturing costs, standard cost performance, inventory trends, and operational variances.
Validate and improve bill of material costing structures to support accurate product costing and inventory valuation.
Support improvements to cost accounting methodologies and reporting processes.
Identify cost optimization opportunities through financial and operational analysis.
Use advanced analytics, AI tools, automation, and process mining platforms such as Celonis to identify inefficiencies and improve processes.
Develop scalable dashboards, reporting solutions, and analytical models that improve visibility and decision-making.
Lead finance transformation initiatives that reduce manual work, improve data quality, and increase efficiency.
Promote continuous improvement by challenging existing processes and implementing best practices.
Influence cross-functional teams and drive initiatives without direct authority.
Support the Controller in strengthening financial controls, reporting processes, and operational workflows.
Contribute to long-term finance organization development and succession planning.
Promote accountability, innovation, and operational excellence as a change agent.