Senior Finance Analyst

Job Title: Sr Financial Analyst, Commercial Finance


Reports to: Commercial Finance Manager


Location: Evanston, IL


Function: Finance


Position Type: Full-Time


Schedule: Hybrid (3 Days a week)


Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its Member Co-ops; Ireland's dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. It is Ireland's largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide.


Headquartered in Dublin, it has annualised sales of over €2.3 billion and a global team of 2,400 employees. Ornua operates from 10 business units worldwide, including 13 production facilities, and has sales and marketing teams working in-market across all four corners of the globe.


The Group is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients.


Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua's consumer brands including Kerrygold, Dubliner, Pilgrims Choice, Forto and BEO. Markets are served by production facilities and in-market sales and marketing teams in Africa, Asia, Germany, Ireland, the UK, the rest of Europe, the Middle East and the US.


Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world. Ornua Ingredients is also responsible for managing volatility through de-risking and trading strategies. The business is supported by production facilities in Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK, the US and by in-market teams in Africa and the Middle East.


We want to find people that understand and work With Heart, With Thought, With Vision, and With Drive - Ornua's core values.


WHY THIS ROLE IS VALUABLE

Role Summary:


The Senior Financial Analyst, Commercial Finance is responsible for performing a key Business Partner role, supporting the cross-functional commercial planning process that coordinates Sales and Finance to achieve Company objectives. This includes the ongoing consolidation, publishing and analysis of key reporting metrics; supporting the coordination of cross-functional forecasts and budgets; and astute financial acumen that lends itself to insightful analytics that drive Company performance. The successful candidate will have the initiative and confidence to work diligently with the Sales team, remotely and in-person, to problem solve and create solutions that enable a high performing cross-functional planning process.


Key Areas of Responsibility

Reporting (Daily, Weekly and Monthly, Adhoc) -

• Maintain and distribute Weekly volume report, with analysis to Forecast, Budget and Prior Year

• Maintain and distribute Monthly Retailer performance reporting, with Volume and Trade Investment analysis to Forecast, Budget and Prior Year

• Develop, maintain and distribute Total Customer Investment Spend reporting

• Report and Process "Innovator" (i.e. continuous improvement of standardized reporting, simplifying & improving ways of working)

• Support the development of monthly/quarterly customer account reviews, focused on investment performance/opportunities

Forecasting (Monthly, Adhoc) -

• Utilize internal planning tool to consolidate Volume and Trade Investment forecasts for Sales team

• Review data for accuracy, identify and troubleshoot potential abnormalities and errors

• Ongoing maintenance and improvement of internal Customer Planning Tool, (including support for the Canada and LATAM businesses), for Sales team

• Support transition to and maintenance of Trade Promotion Management (TPM) Tool, guiding Sales team and providing use updates to leadership

• Liaise with Supply Chain/Finance to identify changes in forecasts at an item/customer/month level of detail

• Lead monthly forecast review meetings with an Executive Team audience, explaining differences vs prior forecast and prior year

• Lead the in-month Flash forecast process and meeting. Coordinate inputs from the Sales Team and proactively challenge account owners to provide timely, specific, and actionable commentary on monthly results/opportunities

• Own the commercial planning process for select Associate accounts

Investment Analysis (Ongoing) -

• Report and Review trade spend on a monthly basis, identifying areas of risk and opportunity

• Utilize P&L comprehension and key Retailer metrics to evaluate basic promotional spend opportunities

• Prepare scenarios and make recommendations to Sales and Finance regarding investment opportunities

• Assist with development of pre/post event analytics model

• Develop quarterly trade forecasts to support the financial submissions and review changes vs previous Forecast/Budget with Finance

Annual Budget -

• Support the cross-functional coordination across Sales and Finance to build Retailer plans that align to Company Targets

• Participate in Retailer plan review sessions

• Consolidate data and populate reporting

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE

At Ornua, success is not just about what you do - it is how you do it. You bring our values to life by seeking new ideas, making things happen, showing care for others, and achieving great things together.


Key requirements

• Possess a degree in Business, Accounting or Business analytics would be preferable

• A minimum of 5 years of previous Sales Planning, Financial Planning or analytical experience is desirable

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office suite, with above average knowledge of Advanced Excel functions

• Prior exposure to syndicated data - Nielsen/IRI would be beneficial, but not necessary

• Ability to analyze diverse data and formulate clear, focused and actionable recommendations

• Strong organizational and planning skills, detail oriented, resilient, ability to multi-task, analytical and problem-solving, projection and forecasting abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at a time while paying strict attention to detail

• Ability to work independently and contribute in a team environment

• Proficient in utilizing AI to optimize processes/data analysis, such as Microsoft Copilot/Claude integration in Microsoft Office

Ornua Competencies

• Communicative: Communicates confidently, adapting style for different situations

• Rigor: To ensure excellence in own work, applies effective professional skill, analysis and decision making, and planning and reviewing

• Working Together: Is supportive, co-operative and inclusive

• Ownership: Takes responsibility for and pride in delivering high quality and results, is tenacious

WHY ORNUA?

Ornua is a purpose-driven, values-led co-operative creating value for Irish dairy farming families through our global operations. With 10 business units, 16 production facilities, and in-market teams across the world, we operate through two divisions - Ornua Foods, which markets our iconic consumer brands including Kerrygold and Pilgrims Choice, and Ornua Ingredients, which provides innovative, customized dairy ingredient solutions to our customers.


Our Values lie at the core of everything we do. Our five values encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care, and Achieve Great Things Together.


We invest in our people and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.


Career progression opportunities, including global mobility.


Comprehensive benefits with region-specific offerings.


Dynamic Working policy supporting flexible hours and hybrid work options.


PAY RANGE: $92,250-$112,750


This range represents the overall market pay rate for candidates who meet the necessary qualifications and experience requirements for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, education, and performance.


TOTAL REWARDS


Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards.


Would you like to make an impact? Apply today!


Ornua is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be provided with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or genetic information. Ornua is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact Ornua People Services at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.


This employer participates in E-Verify, a federal program that verifies the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. As part of the hiring process, information provided on your Form I-9 will be submitted to the E-Verify system. E-Verify compares your information to records maintained by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. For more information about E-Verify, please visit