Sr Manager, Operations Finance - Central

Job Description:

The Senior Finance Operations Manager ensures accurate financial reporting, budget planning, and cost management for the Bern KS and Pawnee NE sites. They oversee financials, submit budgets and forecasts, and track performance metrics. By analyzing production orders and consumption variances, they provide insights into operational efficiency. This role also manages test runs, new SKUs, capital projects, and continuous improvement tracking, while collaborating with the Plant Managers as a strategic partner. Additionally, they oversee Finance Managers, Process Auditors, and cycle counters.  Through these responsibilities, the Sr Finance Manager drives consistency, financial discipline, operational excellence, and strategic growth.

Description of Essential Duties:

• Manage job work orders by tracking, closing, and costing to ensure accurate accounting of materials, labor, and overhead.
• Analyze and report material usage variances (MUV), collaborating with the Site Director to identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities.
• Maintain inventory accuracy by supporting monthly reconciliation and overseeing maintenance assets.
• Coordinate inventory counts, including cycle count programs and quarterly/year-end physical inventory assessments.
• Generate monthly financial reports, comparing budget versus actuals and highlighting key performance indicators (e.g., scrap, regrind, headcount, facility and personnel costs).
• Support accounts receivable by ensuring all shipping transactions are properly recorded in SAGE X3 with necessary documentation (e.g., bills of lading).
• Ensure accounts payable accuracy by validating purchase receipts in SAGE X3.
• Lead annual budget preparation and quarterly forecasting  for the region in collaboration with Corporate Accounting and Site Directors.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the general ledger structure and key financial systems (e.g., SAGE X3, MX).
• Oversee timely completion of monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial closing processes.
• Address inquiries related to financial results and special reporting requests

Qualifications: 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or a related field.
• Experience: 4–6 years of accounting experience in a process manufacturing environment (food processing experience preferred).
• Interpersonal Skills: Must be highly personable and comfortable working with all levels of the organization.
• Accounting Knowledge: General understanding of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Technical Skills:
• - Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required.
• - Experience with computerized ERP systems (SAGE X3 preferred).
• - Strong familiarity with computerized accounting systems and databases (SQL knowledge preferred).
• Compliance: Must be able to pass a credit check and a criminal background check.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Motivation: Highly driven and proactive.
• Communication: Strong oral and written skills for delivering excellent customer service and building relationships. Able to write reports and business correspondence and effectively communicate with managers, clients, and customers.
• Interpersonal Skills: Professional and courteous when working with employees at all levels. Skilled in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and active listening while maintaining composure. Open to teamwork and constructive feedback.
• Team Building & Culture: Actively fosters a collaborative and inclusive team environment, encouraging open communication and mutual respect. Promotes a positive workplace culture by supporting employee engagement, morale, and team-driven success.
• Confidentiality: Must uphold strict confidentiality regarding company financial information.
• Planning & Organization: Strong ability to prioritize tasks, set goals, and work efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Analytical Skills: Capable of interpreting and analyzing data, applying mathematical concepts (fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions) to practical situations.
• Adaptability & Stress Management: Able to work under pressure, meet strict deadlines, and multitask in a fast-changing environment.
• Travel: Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel to multiple plant and third-party warehouse locations as needed (10-15%).

Physical Demands:

(The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.  The phrases “occasionally,” “regularly,” and “frequently” correspond to the following definitions: “occasionally” means up to 25% of working time, “regularly” means between 26 and 75% of working time, and “frequently” means 76% and more of working time.)

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, walk, and move from place to place.  The employee is occasionally required to sit, use foot/feet to operate machine, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl or reach above shoulders.  The employee is frequently required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or touch.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds while performing duties relating to the production process and occasionally lift to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

(The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

• The employee may be frequently exposed to allergens and/or airborne particles in the production area.  Production employees are exposed to temperatures ranging from 50 to 115 degrees, depending on the season and workstation, and may be working near moving mechanical parts. Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions may occur.
• The noise level in the work environment may be loud while production equipment is running.
• Personal Protection Equipment (including, but not limited to, boots, gloves, and/or face shields) is required during various processes in the production area. Ear plugs, safety glasses, and bump caps are required at all times in the production area.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.

Alphia is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.