Financial Analyst (Manufacturing Finance + Cost + ERP/Data)

Location: St Joe, IN 46785

Reports to: Accounting Manager

Total Compensation: $90k-120k

Role Summary

We’re partnering with a Fortune 100 manufacturing client to hire a Financial Analyst for a plant-based, high-impact role. This is not a typical corporate FP&A seat—this is a true hybrid of:

• Budgeting & Forecasting (manufacturing-specific)
• Cost accounting / cost analysis
• ERP + data analytics (D365 + Power BI)
• ERP reporting configuration & continuous improvement

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys finance and systems—someone comfortable “peeling back the onion” in an ERP to understand what’s driving results.

Top Priorities:

1) Budgeting & Forecasting (manufacturing-specific)

• Improve forecasting accuracy using operational drivers (volume, labor, scrap/yield, uptime, etc.)
• Build a dependable cadence for forecast updates and variance explanations
• Partner with operations and plant leadership to strengthen planning and accountability

2) Cost Accounting / Cost Analysis

• Analyze manufacturing costs, margins, and variances (standard vs. actual, mix, inventory impacts)
• Build visibility into key cost drivers and translate findings into actionable insights
• Support plant leadership with decision-ready cost and profitability analysis

3) DATA: D365 → Insight (Power BI + Reporting)

• Pull, validate, and reconcile data from Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365)
• Build and maintain Power BI dashboards for cost, margin, inventory, and KPI reporting
• Reduce manual reporting through scalable, repeatable datasets and visuals

4) ERP Configuration & Improvements

• Support ongoing improvements post ERP transition (processes, reporting structure, data flow)
• Translate finance needs into system/reporting enhancements
• Help the site get more value out of D365 through smarter configuration and better reporting

Key Responsibilities

• Own recurring financial reporting/analysis for plant leadership (weekly/monthly cadence)
• Budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis tied to manufacturing drivers
• Cost and margin analysis (inventory, production, variances, profitability)
• Create/maintain dashboards and automated reporting in Power BI
• Partner cross-functionally (operations, purchasing, accounting) to improve decision-making
• Identify and execute process improvements tied to data, reporting, and ERP usage

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years in accounting, finance, or business-related field
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• Manufacturing finance experience (plant finance, cost, ops finance, manufacturing analyst, etc.)
• Cost accounting / cost analysis experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong Excel and comfort working with large datasets/ERP data
• Ability to communicate clearly with both finance and operations stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365)
• Power BI dashboard development
• Demonstrated systems/process improvement mindset (ERP reporting, configuration, workflows)
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CMA (Certified Managerial Accountant)
• MBA (Master of Business Administration)

Ideal Candidate

• Typically 3–5 years (open to 2–6) in manufacturing finance/cost
• Finance + systems curiosity—enjoys digging into how the ERP works and improving reporting
• Comfortable becoming the go-to “technical finance” resource on a small, developing team

Not a Fit If You’re…

• Corporate FP&A only (no manufacturing/cost exposure)
• Banking/insurance analyst without manufacturing finance background
• Strongly dislikes systems, reporting, or data work

Interview Process & Timeline

• Step 1: 20–30 min Microsoft Teams interview (Plant Controller + Accounting Manager + Purchasing leader)
• Step 2: Onsite interview
• Timeline: Onsites targeted in March with potential start late March / early April

Interested?

Please apply to this posting today or email your resume directly to Tyler Foster – tyler@zsgtalent.com



#IND1