Director of Finance, FP&A Merchandising and Marketing

Location: Markham, Ontario

Job Description

What is the role?

The Director of Finance will contribute to the overall success of the company by effectively managing all facets of the financial planning processes including strategic, tactical and operational processes for the Pet Supermarket banner. He or she will support the COS in driving execution of strategy and business plans as well as assist the CFO with the company’s financial strategy and planning while guiding the company towards profitability and long-term success. The person will be responsible for building, distribution and management of the financial planning process, in coordination with the VP of FPA. The financial planning process will include annual departmental plans and a consolidated financial plan as well as multi-year financial projections. He or she must be a strategic thinker and effective leader who can make the most profitable decisions.

What will you do?

Business Support

• Be the business partner and financial adviser to the COS
• Know and communicate to the COS and her management team the key drivers of business performance and the activities required to improve performance
• Provide leadership to the business operations, including factually supported insights into current business performance, market dynamics and future challenges
• Drive execution of business strategy and initiatives across the Pet Supermarket organization
• Work with Merchandising, Supply Chain and IT to drive improvements to the Pet Supermarket business
  
  

Reports

• Provide accurate and timely reporting on the financial activity of projects/goals in monthly meetings with CFO
• Maintain financial records for each project in a manner that facilitates management and perform other tasks/requests as required by the CFO
• Be a key member of the management team
  
  

Budget/Forecast Preparation

• Establish guidelines for budget and forecast preparation and prepare the annual budget in consultation with the CFO and VP of Finance.
• Build, distribute and manage business unit financial budget models
• Work closely with senior management, providing education and guidance on financial planning and budgetary fundamentals and business support
  
  

Information Technology, Risk Management And Funding Applications

• Evaluate the need for new technology to meet the organization's financial data processing, control, and reporting requirements
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that personnel and financial information is secure and stored in compliance with current legislation
• Establish the framework for strategic, tactical and operational financial planning
• Coordinate, analyze and report the financial performance to CFO and VP of Finance (financial performance, projections and other special projects as required)
• Drive qualitative analysis of current data to extract maximum utility
• Develop, implement and maintain accounting and administrative policies and procedures
• Working with senior executives, develop multi-year financial projections encompassing all elements of the strategic corporate plan.
• Drive qualitative analysis to provide maximum utility, including the development of analytical capacities in the finance department
  
  

What will you need to succeed?

Education and Experience

• University education (preferably with some accounting courses)
• 10+ years of progressive financial responsibility
• Designated accountant preferable
• Retail and wholesale / distributer experience preferable
  
  

Knowledge and Skills

• Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problem, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Ability to positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
• Ability to assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to determine strategies to move the organization forward; set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills
• You must have a passion for getting things done, and an appreciation for details. You must believe in continual process improvement, but you must be ready to jump in to handle fires as they occur.