Sr. Financial Analyst, Merchandising Finance

Advance Stores Company•Raleigh, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated, analytical, and results-oriented Senior Financial Analyst to support our Merchandising organization within the Merchandising Finance team. This role serves as a key financial partner to the business, providing insights and recommendations that enable informed decision-making and drive profitable growth. The Senior Financial Analyst will be responsible for leading the forecasting and planning of sales, margin, and profitability; performing variance analysis and developing actionable insights; supporting profitability improvement initiatives; building financial models for product resets and merchandising strategies; and developing business cases that evaluate investment opportunities and strategic decisions. This position will also deliver ad hoc analysis and financial support to help business leaders achieve operational and strategic objectives. The ideal candidate combines strong financial planning, analytical, and modeling capabilities with the ability to translate complex business strategies into clear financial implications and recommendations. Success in this role requires a proactive mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders through data-driven insights.

Requirements

Strong Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, AS/400 and PeopleSoft skills
Strong analytical and organizational skills
Ability to work with and apply mathematical concepts to practical situations such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals or technical procedures.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to present information and respond to questions from groups of senior management, department heads, managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
1-3 years of financial and business analysis experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred
Experience working in retail environment preferred

Responsibilities

Provide guidelines for standard cost approaches used in business decisions; establish and monitor cost reduction programs.
Provide root/cause driver analysis to support decision-making by effectively communicating and translating the results into business insights and actions
Provide direction to functional counterparts in operating units as required, and to operating and senior management on matters involving cost determination problems, or issues such as inventory valuation, distribution of overhead, treatment of joint costs and product pricing.
Conduct special studies and analyses such as determination of work-in-house or subcontract and cost impact of proposed facilities or processes.
Identify and investigate issues related to assigned projects by selecting an approach from an accepted body of methodology or recommended alternatives.
Define assumptions for the quantification and analysis of investments, acquisitions, or divestitures.
Participate in the development of long-range financial forecasts and related budgets, considering alternative scenarios and economic prospects as appropriate.
Provide fact-based financial analysis that supports the business case for proposed investment.
Present verbal and written reports on general economic trends, individual corporations and entire industries.
Partner with internal customers to implement performance management rhythms.
Provide external financial information on competitors and the industry.
Maintain knowledge and stay abreast of developments in the fields of industrial technology, business, finance, and economic theory.