Category Financial Analyst (Contract)
About Oppy
Grow Our Tomorrow. Oppy is a leading grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce from around the world. As one of North America’s top produce companies for nearly 165 years, we bring over 100 varieties of produce from 27 countries to 1,300+ retailers in North America and throughout the world. As much as agriculture has shaped the past for humankind, Oppy’s efforts shape its future by sustainably providing families with healthy, safe and fresh produce to create a better quality of life for all. Our progressive team is called to a higher purpose that raises the economic wellbeing of families and communities who work the land.
Recognized as one Canada’s Best Managed Companies (for the last 22 years!) and a Top 100 Employer, our diverse team of dedicated professionals collaborate and make connections across our locations throughout North and South America. We owe our success to our adaptability, innovative and entrepreneurial approach, our commitment to our people, and the incredible relationships we build. We are looking for talented people who love a fast-paced, dynamic environment where you can grow your skills and career in a sector with abundant opportunity. Grow your tomorrow with us, today.
OPPORTUNITY ALERT!
Are you a responsible and organized team player who is knowledgeable and adept in financial analysis, and has incredible organizational and communication skills? Do you have proven track record of effective collaboration, problem-solving and a passion for continuous improvement? If so, The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy to our friends), has an exciting opportunity for a Category Financial Analyst. If you are accomplished at managing multiple deadlines and projects concurrently and are a service-oriented, team player then come join a dedicated team of professionals with a role that offers variety and integration across multiple areas of the business.
Contract Term: 6-12 Months
Overview
The Category Financial Analyst is a key contributor to the financial and market analysis of assigned produce categories. Their responsibilities include grower risk analysis, financial management, development of market reports, and providing recommendations for business growth and risk mitigation. They’ll assist in preparing monthly reports, season forecasts, and manage ‘what if’ analyses, while also handling grower settlement pricing and financial transactions. Their role extends to supporting annual business plan development, preparing cash flow forecasts, and collaborating on costing models and program pricing. This position demands a strong analytical mindset, collaborative skills, and a commitment to uphold the company’s core values, fostering a customer-focused and service-oriented culture.
Accountabilities:
- Provides grower risk analysis and category financial management including proactive analysis, review and recommendation of initial advance requests, monthly mid-season updates, and end of season retrospectives.
- Assists the Category Director with drafting the monthly management committee meeting report including sales and expense variance analysis relative to forecast, plan and/or prior year and developing season forecasts/projections as required.
- Makes proactive, informed recommendations to mitigate business risk while appropriately maintaining grower relations and supporting profitable business growth by retaining and expanding grower produce volumes.
- Provides mid-season ‘what if’/ sensitivity analyses on the projected end of season positions with each grower detailing profitability and net grower return.
- Assists the Category Director in setting up reasonable, risk mitigating grower settlement pricing programs. Ensures final balances owed are returned to the grower at season end; provides general ledger coding for the grower accounting team.
- Analyzes and reviews for reasonableness grower expenses (market-based costs) used in cash flows, costing models or grower claims.
- Supports the Category Director on developing the annual business plan for the category and assists with monitoring ongoing performance relative to plan so proactive steps can be taken to mitigate risks and realize opportunities.
- Prepares cash flow and forecasting updates according to departmental guidelines in a timely manner.
- Develops category market analysis reports, drawing upon internal data sources.
- Prepares various forecasting models for assigned categories as part of pre-season analysis including commodity sales, customer special program sales and crop forecasts.
- Provides timely reports on specific grower issues/concerns enabling clear communication and understanding that is grounded in analytics.
- Performs post season analysis for assigned categories including retail performance, distribution and aged inventory.
- Collaborates with category team and other departments to create costing models, program pricing and relevant market report for program sales bids. Establishes consistency of services and reporting to the category program leaders.
- Conducts other business analysis and participates in various financial projects as assigned.
- Promotes a customer-focused, service-oriented culture in alignment with the company’s core values.
Required Knowledge & Abilities
- Strong analytical skills with an ability to problem solve and make appropriate accounting recommendations and decisions; affinity and aptitude for strong financial/business analysis, and risk management.
- Advanced application skills including Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, etc.), Word and Outlook, Access DB and Cognos. Proficient in PowerBI, Access DB and Microsoft Office Suite applications (including Outlook, Word, Excel); ability to create complex reports and analyze and model data using Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, etc.), and PowerBI preferred.
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication (written & verbal) and customer service skills; ability to work effectively with multiple departments and forge strong relationships within the grower accounting team and with all other stakeholders.
- Proven ability in exercising good judgement and critical thinking skills; demonstrates a high level of integrity, ethics, and professionalism at all times.
- Strong organization and time management skills; ability to prioritize multiple demands in a timely manner.
- Self-motivated with high standards/attention to detail; ability to set priorities and work accurately within tight deadlines in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
- Positive and engaging attitude,
Required Qualifications
- Degree or diploma in finance, accounting, business or related field or a combination of equivalent education and experience.
- Minimum, 2-years’ related experience in financial and/or business-related analysis.
- Minimum, 2-years’ proven accounting experience including cash flows, forecasting and actualizing financial statements.
Why Work for Oppy?
- We are an established leader in the fresh produce industry, continuously working to improve, innovate and disrupt the norm. Oppy is a place where you are encouraged to contribute and can have a meaningful impact.
- We have a strong culture with terrific people that care about the business and each other. We want our people to grow and succeed.
- We offer a hybrid work model with a mix of in-office and at-home.
- A competitive total compensation package that includes a full benefits package, lifestyle spending account, and company contributions to pension plan.
We extend our sincere appreciation for your interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.