Financial Analyst

FINANCIAL ANALYST - Manufacturing

We’re looking for a Financial Analyst with 2–5 years of experience in a manufacturing operation, i ncluding hands-on Cost Accounting experience , for our client in the greater Youngstown, OH area.

This position goes beyond reporting numbers by analyzing manufacturing costs, identifying trends, investigating variances, and helping leadership understand the financial impact of operational decisions.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2–5 years of financial analysis, accounting, cost analysis, budgeting, or forecasting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Manufacturing Cost Accounting experience required.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial and operational data, identify trends, and determine the operational drivers behind financial results.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial statements.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, lookups, formulas, data analysis, and financial modeling.
• Experience working with ERP, accounting, reporting, or business intelligence systems preferred.
• Ability to work with large amounts of data while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to individuals who may not have a financial background.
• Willingness to spend time in manufacturing areas to understand processes and the operational drivers behind financial results.
• MUST BE A US Citizen or have a Green Card

EDUCATION

BS degree in Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field required.

RESPONSIBILITIES Include:

• Provide financial and operational analysis to support business decisions, cost management, budgeting, forecasting, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Partner with the Controller and leaders across Operations, Sales, Purchasing, Human Resources, Maintenance, and other departments to understand financial performance and operational drivers.
• Prepare and analyze weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial and operational reports, including KPIs and dashboards.
• Assist with annual budget & periodic financial forecasts, comparing actual results to budget, forecast, and prior periods.
• Investigate significant financial and operational variances and work with department leaders to identify root causes.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, including direct labor, overtime, materials, scrap, utilities, maintenance, manufacturing losses, and other production-related expenses.
• Monitor labor costs and headcount trends in partnership with Finance, Operations, and Human Resources.
• Support inventory analysis, including inventory levels, usage, valuation, adjustments, and working capital impacts.
• Perform product, customer, department, and process profitability analysis and develop financial models to support operational and strategic decisions.
• Prepare cost-benefit, ROI, and payback analyses for capital expenditures, equipment purchases, automation opportunities, staffing changes, process improvements, and other business initiatives.
• Track approved capital expenditures against budget and assist with post-investment analysis.
• Work with department leaders to improve understanding of financial performance and spending while identifying financial risks, unfavorable trends, cost-saving opportunities, and areas for operational improvement.
• Assist with month-end and year-end financial reporting, audits, reporting requirements, and improvements to reporting processes and data accuracy.
• Track project progression across departments and perform ad hoc financial analysis and special projects as requested by the CFO and senior leadership.

NOTE: This is not the complete job description but is intended to provide an overall understanding of the role.