Principal Financial Analyst

Nordson Corporation•Salem, NH

About The Position

Collaboration drives Nordson’s success as a market leader in Industrial Precision Solutions and Advanced Technology. Our employees thrive in an environment where we help each other reach our personal best and enable our company to continuously improve and grow, and our customers to succeed. You will find Nordson employees sharing our success by giving back in the communities around the world where we live and work. The site financial lead provides strategic financial leadership to support business decision-making, ensuring disciplined planning and management of the organization’s financial performance to drive sustainable profitability, cash flow, and long-term shareholder value. The role oversees financial reporting, controls, and planning processes while leveraging strong accounting infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency, cost management, and cross-functional alignment. This role evaluates operating results against budgets and strategic objectives, analyzes trends and cost structures, and identifies opportunities to improve financial performance. Serving as a key partner to the business leadership team, this position acts as a trusted advisor and critical financial counterpart in driving operational and strategic outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required (Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or other Bachelor’s degree in combination with MBA and/or CPA relevant experience).
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in finance and accounting in a multi-national manufacturing environment, including exposure to business dynamics and global manufacturing operations.
Detail-oriented, self-starter with strong communication and organizational skills.
Strong initiative, leadership, thinking and problem solving, financial analysis and communication skills.
Ability to multi-task and work collaboratively and/or independently in a dynamic and entrepreneurial, matrixed organizational environment, while keeping a clear understanding of the objectives and financial commitments of the business.
Superior technical financial skills, balanced with sound business judgment, including the ability to balance financial and operational factors, analyze complex business problems and develop appropriate solutions.
High level of integrity and reliability.
Strong initiative to meet deadlines consistently in an accounting function responsible for providing timely and accurate reporting to the SEC, shareholders, and executive management.
Ability to manage multiple tasks well, especially during monthly close cycle, and change priorities as needed.
Great relationship skills. Ability to interact with all levels of staff and financial management.
Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to present information and respond to questions from others in the organization.
Ability to meet deadlines consistently in a changing business environment.
Ability to analyze data and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule forms.
Strong knowledge and skills in Microsoft Excel required
Strong detail orientation.
Adaptability/flexibility which includes being open to change and conducting business differently.
Focused on continuous improvement, learning and developing new skills.

Nice To Haves

CPA or CMA preferred
Sarbanes-Oxley experience a plus.

Responsibilities

Internal Controls & Financial Management Ensures maintenance of accurate and complete financial records, in compliance with both legal requirements, local accounting and US GAAP standards.
Responsible for overseeing all operational areas affecting the business globally, including Planning and Forecasting, Asset Management, Manufacturing/Costing, and ad hoc analysis as required.
Leads the effort of establishing, monitoring, and enforcing an effective internal controls environment.
Develops and takes necessary actions to support Nordson’s SOX compliance effort.
Liaises with internal and external auditors.
Administers, develops and improves accounting and control policies, procedures, work processes and reporting systems to support growth and efficiency, while reducing complexity and increasing speed.
Meets Corporate and Division financial reporting requirements in a timely and accurate manner.
Monitors legal, tax and regulatory changes and trends to identify and implement necessary actions to secure continued compliance, while pro-actively identifying emerging opportunities and threats, making recommendations to management.
Business Leadership Proactively partners with the business management teams in establishing and managing the strategic direction and financial goals (sales, operating profit, cash flow, working capital) to drive results.
Interprets operating results as they affect the financial aspects of the corporation and makes specific recommendations which will result in cost reduction and profit improvement.
Explains variances and presents financial information to management.
Leads the financial planning effort for the business, including forecasts, operating plans, and strategic plans.
Develops scenario analyses as needed, identifying key issues, objectives, risks, opportunities, and improves forecast accuracy.
Provides an objective viewpoint and holistic perspective to the decision-making process.
Directs the preparation of statistics for periodic and yearly financial statements, including the preparation of charts and graphs showing progress, key performance metrics and performance over time, business conditions and results, as needed.
Identifies best practices and continuous improvement opportunities and facilitates embedment of the practices into the organization.
Provide Financial Analysis and Support to the organization, including capital expenditure justification and analysis, sales trend analysis, competitive and market analysis and product line P&L development.
Actively monitors direct gross profit margins across portfolio of business.
Cooperates with corporate functions such as Treasury, Tax, and Financial Reporting on global or regional accounting and controlling initiatives and requirements.
Brings a sense of professionalism and excellence within the finance team.
Provides an environment where Accounting and Controlling people are valued and motivated to deliver high levels of productivity and realize high levels of job satisfaction.
Provide financial insight, due diligence & integration for M&A activities as necessary.
Assumes other special activities and responsibilities as required.