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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. Director, Finance Shared Services

Job Location: Chicago

Want to make an impact?

Reporting to the VP, Corporate Controller, the Sr. Director, Finance Shared Services, is responsible for overseeing Ferrara’s finance shared services: AR/Pricing, Accounts Payable, Payroll/T&E, and Deductions Management. This leader will coordinate the strategy for all of the finance shared service teams and act as a point of contact for all of the business partners that lean on these shared services (HR, Procurement, Sales, Supply Chain, etc.). The Sr. Director will ensure the day-to-day operations of the function are working effectively while also designing and building best practices including automation and process improvements.

The role is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Ways you will make a difference

Ensures the day-to-day success of the Company’s finance shared services, including:
- Accounts receivable, cash application and pricing execution – The Sr. Director will ensure the Company’s customer receivables are in good standing through solid credit monitoring controls and ensure that the Company’s pricing and customer billing is complete and accurate
- Accounts payable – The Sr. Director will ensure vendor invoices are being processed timely and accurately and also ensure that the invoices are paid in accordance with the vendor terms and agreements, as well as Company policies
- Payroll / T&E – The Sr. Director will ensure the Company’s payroll for the U.S. facilities and corporate locations are operating as designed for each weekly and bi-weekly payroll in accordance with Company policies and local / state / federal regulations
- Deductions management – The Sr. Director will ensure the Company’s customer deductions and liabilities are processed accurately and timely. Additionally, they will ensure that invalid deductions are timely disputed and elevated to Company leadership
Work with the VP, Corporate Controller, and Treasury department to establish a strategy to improve working capital at the Company. The Sr. Director will establish the right metrics, measure and monitor performance, and use benchmarks to calibrate expectations. They will focus primarily on Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and Days Payable Outstanding (DPO) and work to establish and report these KPIs on a regular basis
Play a key part in the Company’s business transformation efforts as we design a global business blueprint and transformation to SAP S/4 Hana specifically within the areas of Procure-to-Pay (P2P), Order-to-Cash (OTC), Record-to-Report (RTR) and HRIS.
Partner with Company leadership and lead projects to identify, develop, and implement best in class shared service process, automation, and other improvement initiatives as part of the finance transformation roadmap
When necessary, assist with M&A and integration efforts and analysis of target operating models.
Be a key business partner across the organization, especially with procurement, sales, and HR.

Skills that will make you successful

Strong leadership: ability to inspire, motivate, and guide resources to a common goal and vision
Strong interpersonal skills: empathy, integrity, enthusiasm, collaborative, driving consensus
Strong written and oral communication skills. Strong listening skills and ability to work with senior leaders – inside and outside of the organization - to understand their goals and objectives
Track record of innovation, strategic decision-making, continuous improvement, and resource optimization.
Knowledge of leading shared service technology and processes

Experiences that will support your success

Bachelors degree, MBA and/or CPA preferred
15+ years of finance shared service experience including experience with Accounts Payable, AR, Deductions and Payroll
CPG industry expertise strongly preferred with a preference in fast moving consumer goods.
Experience with large-scale business transformation projects
Multi-national experience

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.