Senior Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst

Elevate the Future with Lesaffre

For over 170 years, Lesaffre has been a pioneering force in the world of fermentation, harnessing the power of microorganisms to transform industries from baking to healthcare. As a key global player, we've built a presence in 96 countries, employing 11,000 passionate innovators who share our unwavering commitment to excellence.

Driven by our core values of passion, respect, trust, entrepreneurship, and humility, we're constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Our 3-billion euro enterprise collaborates with visionary customers, partners, and researchers to develop essential nutrients and bioactives that strengthen human health, optimize animal well-being, and improve plant nutrition.

Lesaffre's Baking Division is a leader in the industry, leveraging deep expertise in fermentation to develop innovative solutions. The division offers a comprehensive portfolio of baking ingredients and services, including specialized yeast strains and enzymes, customized fermentation processes, and technical support and expertise. The team collaborates closely with customers to create tailored solutions that address their unique needs and stay ahead of market trends. Lesaffre has the resources and know-how to support a wide range of customers, from global bakery brands to local artisanal producers.

What We Offer  

• The opportunity to represent a passionate organization focused on innovation and sustainability 
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits starting on day one, including health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with employer match
• 11 paid holidays
• The ability to leverage your expertise and make a tangible, meaningful impact on the business and our sustainability initiatives
• Opportunities for continuous growth and development, including the ability to take on new challenges and collaborate across our international business units

How You'll Contribute to Our Success

You will be a key player in driving Lesaffre North America's financial success. You'll partner closely with the Leadership Team and Operations to provide strategic financial planning, analysis, and insights that inform critical business decisions. Your responsibilities will include developing comprehensive financial plans and models to support the organization's growth and profitability, preparing accurate forecasts and budgets while identifying risks and opportunities to ensure alignment with strategic objectives, delivering impactful financial reporting and presentations that communicate complex information in a clear, actionable way, and collaborating with the FP&A team to continuously improve processes and mentor junior members. If you're passionate about using data-driven insights to drive business success, this is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact!

What You’ll do as a Senior Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst  

• Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Lesaffre's safety-first culture by strictly following all safety protocols and participating in required safety programs
• Development of quarterly rolling forecasts, including financial and business analysis and presentation
• Evaluate financial performance by comparing and analyzing actual results with prior year and rolling forecast
• Develop and maintain financial models through benchmarking and process analysis for decision support (e.g., Pricing, Manufacturing Capacity, and Profitability)
• Development and oversight of operating metrics (KPIs) that ensure optimal financial performance
• Analyzing and interpreting data that will be used for proposed recommendations to various areas of the company
• Analyze past results and perform variance analysis, identify trends and make recommendations for improvements
• Provide analysis of trends and forecasts
• Work closely with the accounting team to ensure accurate financial reporting
• Work closely with IT & BI teams to increase productivity by developing automated reporting forecasting tools
• Assist with cost analysis process
• Other special projects or necessary duties as required for harmonious business and working relationships

Required qualifications:  

•  Bachelor's degree from four-year College or University in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Statistics
•  At least five years of experience working in a related finance or accounting position
•  Knowledge of IFRS and other related accounting law or standards
•  High proficiency with the use of MS office, especially Excel (creating spreadsheets and using advanced formulas & functions) and Power-Point
•  Experience in financial database, finance and statistical software
•  Working knowledge of large Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems

Preferred qualifications: 

•  Experience working within SAP
•  Possession of any CPA, MBA, CFA, CMA certification
•  Executive level dashboard reporting and Business Intelligence experience
•  Prior experience working with complex financial data sets
•  Prior experience working for a global organization
•  Experience using AI in a business finance environment
•  Working knowledge of Hyperion Financial Management (HFM) for Global Financial Consolidation and Hyperion SmartView
•  Working knowledge of analytical & presentation programs & tools (e.g., Microsoft Power BI, SAP Analytics Cloud)

Lesaffre provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.