Manager - Brand Finance

All External Jobs•Chicago, IL

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager – Brand Finance is a strategic finance partner to brand, sales, marketing, operations, and supply chain leaders, translating commercial priorities into actionable financial plans and profitable growth. The role leads planning, forecasting, performance reporting, and financial analysis for assigned brands, with emphasis on revenue growth, gross profit, trade and promotional investment, cost productivity, and disciplined resource allocation. The Manager explains financial performance drivers and recommends actions to improve business results. The position supports business decisions and strategic initiatives through financial modeling, investment evaluations, scenario analysis, and clear communication of business insights. It also maintains reliable financial reporting and forecasts, strengthens planning processes and analytical tools, and follows company policies, internal controls, and applicable financial governance requirements. The role is based in the Chicago, Illinois surrounding area, or requires relocation for the duration of employment. The work arrangement blends remote work and in-office operations, with three days in the office.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Must be located in the Chicago, Illinois surrounding area or willing to relocate for the duration of employment.
Willingness to adapt and thrive in a blended work environment with three days in the office and a transition between remote work and in-office operations.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.
Strong understanding of P&L drivers, financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, performance tracking, scenario analysis, and investment-return analysis.
Demonstrated ability to support cross-functional business leaders, connect financial results to commercial and operational drivers, and drive financial accountability.
Analytical problem-solving ability in ambiguous situations, including translating complex analyses into clear, actionable recommendations.
High attention to detail, commitment to accuracy, strong organization, and ability to manage competing priorities in a changing environment.
Results-driven, proactive mindset and ownership of business outcomes.
Effective communication and collaboration skills across functions, with the executive presence and confidence to challenge and influence senior leaders.
Passion for continuous improvement and experience improving planning, reporting, financial systems, and analytical tools.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of progressive experience in finance, FP&A, commercial finance, or brand finance, preferably in CPG or manufacturing.
Hands-on experience with SAP and/or SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC).

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted finance partner to brand and commercial leaders, connecting financial performance to brand strategy, consumer priorities, and customer plans.
Evaluate business cases for pricing, promotions, innovation, assortment, distribution, and other growth initiatives; quantify risks, returns, and key assumptions.
Provide fact-based recommendations that balance near-term financial delivery with sustainable, long-term brand growth.
Translate complex financial analyses into clear, concise business insights to support cross-functional decision-making.
Build financial evaluations for new products, packaging, channel expansion, and other innovation or brand-growth opportunities.
Track productivity and cost-saving initiatives, validating financial benefits, timing, ownership, and delivery against commitments.
Support strategic projects and ad hoc analyses for brand leadership and senior Finance, including sensitivities and scenario planning.
Promote consistent financial discipline, clear ownership, and measurement of outcomes across cross-functional initiatives.
Analyze price realization, promotional effectiveness, customer and channel profitability, trade investment, and revenue-management opportunities.
Assess product and customer economics, including cost of goods sold, manufacturing and distribution costs, mix, and contribution margin.
Partner with Sales, Marketing, Revenue Growth Management, and Supply Chain to assess ROI and post-launch performance of initiatives.
Identify risks and opportunities early and develop practical actions to protect or improve financial delivery.
Lead or coordinate annual operating plans, periodic forecasts, long-range planning, and scenario analysis for assigned brands.
Prepare monthly performance reviews, variance analyses, and management reporting across net revenue, volume, gross profit, operating expenses, and key business drivers.
Explain results versus plan, forecast, and prior year, distinguishing volume, price/mix, trade spend, cost, productivity, and timing impacts.
Maintain robust financial models, assumptions, and reporting tools to improve forecast accuracy, visibility, and accountability.
Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial reporting, forecasts, and management materials.
Partner with Accounting and shared-service teams to understand and resolve variances between management reporting and GAAP results, as applicable.
Strengthen planning processes, reporting automation, and analytical tools to reduce manual work and improve insight quality.
Follow company policies, internal controls, and applicable financial governance requirements.