Job Summary
his position will partner with the Performance Manager of the Performance Specialties (PS) business to support the performance of PS, achieve its targeted growth ambitions and develop a high-performance culture within Elementis. The Performance Analyst role will drive the reporting of actual results and be heavily involved all planning processes (Three Year, Annual Plan, Forecast), supporting with the interpretation of financial results and creation insight to drive business performance. A key objective of the role will be to the act as the product costing expert within the PS business, working with the local supply chain and other partners to provide insights for costs variance to support contribution margin analysis as well value creating commercial business decisions. The role will support the design of a business management and performance planning process, and data-driven process improvements. This role will build analytical capabilities within the team and bring objective/analytical based input to the decision-making processes across Elementis.
Job Description
Position in Organisation
Reports to (Supervisor/Manager’s title): The role reports to the Performance Manager, Performance Specialties
Direct Reports: None
Department: Performance Management & Planning
Location: Porto, Portugal
Responsibilities
- Drive the production of monthly PS management information (MI) in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly and annual financial results, actively participate/lead the financial analysis for key projects/programs.
- Support the annual budgeting, forecasting and planning processes for the PS business; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes and keep the PS business leadership team abreast of financial results and issues.
- Lead on product cost analysis, with particular focus on the Talc segment, including raw material cost, freight and duty costs, manufacturing variable and fixed cost. This will require partnering with local plant controllers and will provide actionable insights for effective contribution margin analysis and support value creation in the PS business through effective commercial decision making.
- Identify and drive process improvements for MI reporting, including the creation of standard and ad-hoc reports, tools, and MI dashboards. Increase productivity by developing automated reporting/forecasting tools for PS performance management
- Partner with the commercial team in tracking the actual orders/sales and new business opportunities; provide regular analysis for management to review and make decisions, thus drive business growth for PS.
- Provide proactively reports, analysis and recommendations on business performance (including products, customers, regional mix etc.) to the business/function leaders to maximize sales, contribution margin and operating profits
Decision Making
You will influence critical decision making within the PS leadership team, ranging from operational and financial target setting through to product pricing decisions. Higher-level approvals would be required for decisions related to strategic shifts or significant decisions that have substantial financial or long-term implications.
What will it take
Job Competencies
- Commercial awareness – it is critical that you have a strong understanding of how different elements of the business world operate and how these can affect the industries and markets in which Elementis operates.
- Communicates effectively - excellent written and oral communication skills enable you to articulate complex finance concepts and findings succinctly, and support your stakeholders making the right decisions
- A dedicated self-starter with high enthusiasm - you need to be self-directed, self-motivated; ability to deal with imperfect information, decision and drive to successful conclusions is paramount in this role.
- Drives engagement and influences effectively - it is critical that you are a strong relationship builder and can create a climate where you are able to influence stakeholders over which you have no direct lines of authority.
- Problem-solving focus and a positive “can do” attitude – you need strong problem-solving and issue resolution aptitude to address the daily situations that a Finance analyst comes across.
- Team player with uncompromising ethics and unwavering integrity - you need to be a humble, low ego individual who is a strong team player, motivated by company goals rather than individual drivers, and with unquestionably integrity.
Technical Knowledge and Skills
- Strong financial modelling and cost accounting experience is required
- Proficiency in reporting, data visualization and analysis tools, such as Tableau and Power BI
- Advanced analytical and quantitative skills
- Strong strategic analysis of financial information to derive data-driven insights
- Detail-orientated in ensuring accurate reporting and reconciliations/variance analysis
Position Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration (required). Post graduate qualification in Accounting pertinent to the country in question (highly desired).
Experience: 5+years work experience, preferably in an international manufacturing/industrial environment
IT Skills: Proficient in JD Edwards (highly advantageous), Tableau (highly advantageous), Power BI (highly advantageous) and Hyperion/FCCS (helpful). Highly proficient or expert level in MS Excel, including pivot tables.
Language Skills: Verbal and written fluency in English.
Working arrangements: Minimum 3 days a week in the office
Traveling required: Occasional international travel to other Elementis sites as required.