Summit Search Group Looking for Vice President, Finance Shared Services at Brampton, Ontario, Canada Full Time

About our Client:

Our client is a national leader in the food and grocery industry.

Position Scope:

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, FP&A and Finance Operations, the VP, Finance Shared Services is accountable for providing leadership and strategic direction for general accounting, inventory, accounts receivable, vendor management (accounts payable, vendor income, vendor audit), payroll services, and continuous business improvement. This is a dynamic area requiring multi-tasking abilities, flexibility with changing priorities, strong analytical skills and a relentless focus on continuous improvement. Given the rapid acceleration of technology, this role requires a keen lens towards finance transformation and opportunities to further gain efficiency in how we support our stores.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage directly a 6-person team and indirectly a ~400 person finance team
• Position the team through continual growth in automation and process improvement
• Business partner with retail divisions and their finance leads with respect to vendor management, payroll, GL balance sheet support, payroll and accounts receivable
• Be the executive lead regarding partnering relationships with various executive stakeholders including HR, Operations and Merchandising.
• Drive transformation initiatives including risk-based inventory counts, consolidation of A/R support and transition of payroll
• Manage financial operations over financial payables and receivables
• Responsible for the financial close process with respect to period ends including the preparation of monthly balance sheet and income statements supported by analysis and working papers
• Establish and maintain robust processes over accounting operations, ensuring key internal controls meet quality standards, are consistently applied, and regularly reviewed to be compliant
• Liaise with internal and external auditors for interim reviews, year-end audits and controls testing
• Implement transformation opportunities to drive efficiencies in how we support the store network
• Automate recurring analysis and working papers involving large data sets.
• Support Senior Leadership in embedding targets and associated actions across the business ensuring they strongly correlate with strategic goals.
• Develop and implement best practices, procedures and processes to drive best in class business insight and analysis.
• Ensure all management reporting requirements are met. Lead the development and implementation of improved metrics/dashboard reporting.
• Formulate and track key activities that impact financial performance. Ensures proactive management of financial risks and opportunities.
• Manage the preparation of in-depth analysis and make proactive recommendations for potential business and cost-saving opportunities
• Stay abreast of industry information, development, and trends; maintain an understanding of the internal and external factors affecting the business
• Drive continuous process improvement and standardization of processes
• Assume a variety of other projects and operational initiatives as require

Required Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Sound knowledge of financial accounting practices, policies and systems
• Demonstrated track record in streamlining and automating processes
• Strong technical capabilities
• Ability to work in a self-directed manner
• An exceptional leader with operational knowledge, strong business insight, and a proven ability to forge relationships, achieve results, and enhance both organizational and team performance

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in accounting or mathematics, or MBA, along with a CPA designation
• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in public accounting, corporate finance, or process improvement
• Prior experience running a shared service back office would be a strong asset

Application Instructions:

To apply, please send a resume to Allison Dwyer at [email protected]

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.