Financial Analyst

Emerge is currently recruiting qualified candidates for a Financial Analyst role in LaPorte, IN for our client, a growing manufacturer and premier employer in the aerospace and industrial sector. We are seeking a detail-oriented Financial Analyst to support the Plant Controller in managing daily general accounting operations, coordinating month-end closing procedures, and ensuring accurate financial reporting on daily, weekly, and monthly cadences. This role is integral to the development of financial plans, forecasts, and the thorough analysis of operational performance. Key areas of focus include expense management, inventory monitoring, standard cost maintenance, and oversight of the operating budget.

Essential Functions

• Analyze and report on manufacturing inventory costs.
• Manage payroll and fringe benefit expenses, as well as labor standards.
• Administer the facility's fixed assets and capital expenditure planning.
• Ensure compliance with all internal and external reporting requirements.
• Conduct operational research through process mapping, observation, and cross-functional interviews.
• Synthesize complex data to develop actionable business recommendations.
• Optimize existing business processes and create internal tools (spreadsheets/databases) to drive departmental productivity.
• Develop user documentation and lead training initiatives for new applications and refined business processes.

Job Responsibilities

• Investigate and explain standard manufacturing variances.
• Perform comprehensive manufacturing and cost analysis.
• Support the planning and execution of cost-reduction initiatives.
• Oversee core accounting functions, including product costing, capital management, and routine financial reporting.
• Prepare data and insights for monthly business review presentations.
• Perform and review account reconciliations.
• Serve as a backup for daily financial reporting, expenditure tracking, and overtime reviews.
• Coordinate and participate in physical inventory counts and fixed asset audits.
• Support corporate and business unit ad-hoc reporting requests.
• Collaborate on the monthly financial close process.
• Provide detailed analysis to support leadership in data-driven decision-making.
• Assist the Controller in the preparation of budgets and forecasts.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: A Bachelor's degree with at least one (1) year of relevant experience, or a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in business process modeling, database design, or financial analysis. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Compliance: This role involves access to export-controlled information. Candidates must be able to meet the requirements to lawfully obtain access to such materials.

Preferred Skills

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex information and provide clear, strategic recommendations.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• High attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Windows-based software, specifically Microsoft Excel and Access. Experience with PowerPoint and Project management software is a plus.
• Proven ability to develop and document systematic operational procedures.