What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Commercial Finance Analyst - Retail - Minnesota - Remote position at UNFI?
- Preference to candidates located in Minnesota.
The Sr. Commercial Financial Analyst, reporting to the Sr. Commercial Finance Manager, supports Retail through advanced analysis, full P&L ownership, and strategic partnership with executive leaders across Merchandising, Pharmacy, Franchise, and Advertising. This role is responsible for leading critical financial processes including budget development, forecasts, period-close reporting, and weekly performance reporting. The position plays a key role in enabling business decisions through deep analysis, cross functional collaboration, and development of executive ready reporting and insights. This role partners extensively with Retail Finance FP&A and Operations to advance financial performance through actionable analysis and strategic recommendations.
What does it mean to be part of our Finance/Accounting Team?
A role on our Finance and Accounting team involves helping UNFI maintain and grow its financial health as we continue to transform and scale. We need to ensure that our financial analysis and statements revolve around constant communication with our partners within the organization as well as outside to provide the most current statistics for our business health. By being attentive to details, trends, and inefficiencies, and communicating with our teams, you’ll be key to our success and continued growth as North America’s premier grocery wholesaler.
Job Responsibilities:
- Own the full Pharmacy P&L, partnering directly with executive pharmacy commercial and operations leadership to define budget, forecast, reporting strategy, and business improvement initiatives.
- Oversee the Franchise Store Reporting, partnering with franchise executive leadership to develop and execute the budget/forecast strategy and performance enhancement tactics.
- Support the Advertising executive team through financial modeling, budget and forecast execution, and timely reporting of business drivers and results.
- Lead vendor funds and markdowns analysis in partnership with the Senior Manager.
- Complete daily and weekly sales reporting including variance analysis to trends, forecast, budget, and prior year.
- Assist with weekly margin reporting and analysis highlighting risks, opportunities, and key drivers for retail leadership.
- Support account reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and other core monthly close activities for Retail Commercial Finance.
- Create executive level presentations, financial decks, and supporting materials for weekly performance reporting, monthly summaries, and forecast or budget reviews.
- Provide advanced variance analysis that creates financial trends, operational drivers, and cross functional impacts to inform leadership decision making.
- Provide strategic insights into P&L performance and partner with Commercial leadership to develop action plans that improve financial outcomes.
- Support weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting cycles including preparation of KPIs, dashboards, refreshed models, and commentary.
- Influence cross functional projects, process improvements, and analytical enhancements within Commercial Finance.
- Act as a strategic business partner to executive leaders, providing clear, concise financial insights that advance commercial and operational objectives.
Job Requirements:
Education/ Certifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field
- Advanced degree or MBA preferred
- 5 years of FP&A experience required
- Demonstrated success in complex financial modeling, P&L ownership, and scenario analysis.
- Proven ability to partner cross functionally with operations, merchandising, and senior leadership.
- Strong understanding of retail, commercial, or multi-unit business financial dynamics.
- High proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and financial planning/reporting tools such as Essbase/SmartView.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with executive leaders including synthesizing complex financial details into clear insights and recommendations.
- Strong relationship building skills with ability to influence without authority across multiple teams and leadership levels.
- Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills including root cause investigation and problem solving.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to translate financial data into business implications and tactical actions.
- Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with evolving priorities and tight reporting cycles.
- Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines.
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in reporting and analysis.
- Ability to manage confidential information.
- Continuous improvement mindset and desire to enhance processes, reporting, and data quality.
- Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.
- Remote Role:This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.
- Travel (minor): This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.
Office Roles:
- Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
- Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
- Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
- Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.
Benefits: Competitive 401k, Flexible PTO plan, Remote, Health benefits – first of the month following 30 days of employment, mentorship program/developmental opportunities.
UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Compensation:
UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.
Benefits:
For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.
Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.
UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.