For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Sr. Analyst, Procurement Finance

Work Location: ​Chicago​

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Want to make an impact?

As a Senior Analyst in Procurement Finance, you'll be at the center of driving cost leadership and financial discipline across our global supply chain, transforming millions in procurement spend into strategic advantage. By delivering actionable insights and advanced financial modeling, you'll help senior leadership mitigate risk, optimize spending, and unlock value in a volatile commodities market—directly shaping supplier strategies and impacting the bottom line through data-driven decision making.

Ways you will make a difference

  • Raw Materials and Packaging forecasting and budget management: Lead comprehensive forecasting for materials costs and purchase price variance (PPV) analysis. Own budget development and performance monitoring and conduct deep-dive variance and “what-if” scenario analyses. 
  • Month-end close and forecasting oversight: Review and validate month-end close process and forecasting work produced by FLDP junior analyst, ensuring accuracy of procurement cost accruals and rolling forecast. Provide guidance on accounting treatment and lead resolution of discrepancies. Own the monthly procurement finance narrative and variance explanations to senior leadership.
  • Advanced financial modeling and analytics: Design and maintain sophisticated financial models for complex procurement scenarios, including multi-year supplier contracts, hedging strategies, and sourcing analyses. 
  • Strategic performance management and reporting: Own development and delivery of executive-level dashboards and reports on procurement performance, including comparisons of Budget and actuals to PS3, quarterly internal vs. external commodity analysis, KPI analysis, trend identification, and actionable insights. Lead monthly business reviews with procurement leadership and present findings to senior finance and operations teams.
  • Cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management: Serve as primary finance business partner to procurement and supply chain teams, leading cross-functional initiatives and driving alignment on financial objectives. Mentor junior analysts and coordinate with brand finance teams on integrated planning processes.
  • Process optimization and systems leadership: Lead initiatives to streamline procurement finance processes, implement automation solutions, and standardize financial models across the greater finance group. Drive adoption of new tools and systems, including training development and change management for finance and procurement teams. 
  • Lead special projects requiring senior-level analytical skills (e.g., comprehensive tariff impact analysis, pricing stories, and strategic cost reduction initiatives, etc.).
  • Represent procurement finance in enterprise-wide initiatives and steering committees.
  • Drive continuous improvement of forecasting accuracy and process efficiency metrics.
  • Provide technical expertise and mentorship to junior team members, including review of their work products and professional development guidance.

Skills that will make you successful

  • Advanced quantitative analysis & modeling — build/maintain driver-based models, scenario/sensitivity analyses, and performance tracking.
  • Data analytics & visualization — translate large datasets into clear insights; build concise dashboards and trend views.
  • Accounting & financial acumen — strong grasp of accruals, variance analysis, cost drivers, and how they flow through financial statements.
  • Forecasting & budgeting — develop rolling forecasts and budgets, monitor performance vs. plan, and explain deviations.
  • Business case & ROI evaluation — structure cost/benefit analyses and provide clear recommendations.
  • Decision support — frame choices with trade‑offs, quantify impact, and influence direction.
  • Executive storytelling — distill complex analyses into crisp narratives and action-oriented recommendations.
  • Cross-functional collaboration — partner effectively across operations, finance, and business teams.
  • Coaching & quality review — guide junior team members and raise the standard of deliverables.
  • Process improvement & automation mindset — standardize models, streamline workflows, and document controls.
  • Systems fluency — comfort with ERP/EPM, spreadsheets, databases, and BI tools; quick to learn new platforms.
  • Data governance — ensure data quality, consistency, and auditability.
  • Structured problem solving — break down ambiguous problems and drive to pragmatic solutions.
  • Ownership & bias for action — operate with urgency and accountability.
  • Prioritization & project management — manage deadlines across concurrent workstreams.

Experiences that will support your success

  • Minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in finance, ideally with supply chain experience 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting
  • Advanced proficiency in MS Office, primarily Excel & Power Point
  • Tableau and/or PowerBI experience preferred
  • SAP experience strongly preferred
  • Strong communication, written, oral and interpersonal skills are required

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO).  Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $80,325 to $112,455 annually. 

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.