Univar USA Inc

Senior Manager, Commercial Finance and Transformation

Univar USA Inc • $150K — $185K *
Downers Grove, IL 60516In-Person
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred (MBA or quantitative field)
  • 7+ years of experience in Commercial Finance, Strategic Finance, or Consulting
  • Experience leading large-scale projects ($1M+) focused on transformation
  • Proficient in financial software; ERP experience (SAP & OneStream) preferred
  • Strong analytical and data storytelling skills with fluency in MS Office and Tableau

Responsibilities

  • Analyze financial data to identify performance drivers and potential improvements
  • Translate business challenges into clearly defined opportunities for action
  • Model financial impacts of proposed changes, linking to P&L
  • Drive adoption of AI-enabled tools and ensure alignment with business context
  • Build business cases validating ROI for high-impact projects
  • Track gains vs. committed value and adjust strategies as needed
  • Lead commercial transformation across sales, pricing, and channel optimization

Benefits

  • Health, vision, and dental insurance
  • 401k matching for retirement
  • Flexible time off policies
  • Targeted annual company bonus
  • Annual salary reviews
  • Work/life flexibility in a hybrid working environment
Full Job Description
Senior Manager, Commercial Finance and Transformation

The Senior Manager, Commercial Finance & Transformation plays a critical role in driving financial, commercial, and operational performance across the organization. The role leads a portfolio of high-impact initiatives focused on accelerating revenue growth, optimizing pricing, and improving margin through data-driven insight, disciplined execution, and cross-functional partnership.

As part of the Transformation Office and the UnivarONE program, this role partners closely with the business, Finance, and the Innovation Office to identify opportunities, shape solutions with subject matter experts, and move initiatives from idea through pilot to validated, finance-signed value. The role is expected to leverage AI, automation, and analytics capabilities delivered through UnivarONE and the FRONTIER Factory, ensuring commercial initiatives are grounded in real business context and translate into measurable EBITDA and cash impact.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in Commercial Finance, Sales Finance, Strategy, or Consulting, exceptional analytical capability, and a proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional projects. This role works in close partnership with Sales, Operations, and Finance leadership to influence strategy and guide critical commercial decisions.

What You'll Do:

Business Analysis & Opportunity Identification
  • Analyze commercial, operational, and financial data to develop and test hypotheses about performance drivers, particularly for complex, multi-stakeholder decisions with downstream impact.
  • Translate pain points, observations, and current-state KPIs into clearly defined opportunities, partnering with the business and SMEs to get the context and problem statement right before jumping to recommendations.
  • Model and quantify the financial and operational impact of proposed improvements, mapping value levers to the P&L and sizing opportunity at proof-of-concept, pilot, and scale.
  • Monitor and interpret sales and margin performance to generate actionable insight supporting revenue growth and margin expansion.


AI-Enabled Transformation & UnivarONE Delivery
  • Identify where AI, automation, and analytics capabilities delivered through UnivarONE can accelerate commercial and margin outcomes, partnering with the Innovation Office and FRONTIER Factory.
  • Route qualifying AI and technology ideas through Factory intake, and partner with product owners and SMEs to co-develop solutions grounded in business context.
  • Support adoption of AI-enabled tools (e.g., pricing, Next Best Action, margin management) within commercial workflows, driving behavior change and sustained usage, not just deployment.
  • Ensure initiatives progress through stage gates with clear value hypotheses, and align technology work to proven business value rather than technology for its own sake.


Value Realization & Finance Discipline
  • Build comprehensive business cases to validate ROI, assess feasibility, and secure funding for high-impact initiatives.
  • Partner with Finance/FP&A so value is validated and signed off before it is counted, and reflected in OneStream, the AOP, and Strategic Plan.
  • Distinguish opportunity sizing, targeted value, and finance-validated value, maintaining credible, investor-grade reporting.
  • Track realized versus committed value and drive corrective action when results deviate from plan.


Growth Transformation & Commercial Excellence
  • Lead development and execution of go-to-market and growth strategies across priority end markets, applications, customer segments, products, and geographies.
  • Identify and prioritize attractive growth opportunities based on market attractiveness, competitive position, customer needs, profitability, and the company's differentiated right-to-win.
  • Lead customer segmentation, value proposition development, channel strategy, sales coverage, and commercial operating-model design
  • Lead commercial transformation initiatives spanning sales effectiveness, strategic account management, pricing, channel optimization, pipeline management, and commercial capabilities
  • Drive pricing and margin improvement through improved commercial governance, optimized pricing strategy and/or model, customer/product profitability transparency, and disciplined commercial terms.
  • Identify cross-selling and customer white space opportunities across business units and establish mechanisms to capture enterprise-level customer value
  • Support M&A strategy, commercial due diligence, synergy identification and post-merger commercial integration when/where appropriate.


Change Management
  • Lead cross-functional projects through structured frameworks, ensuring delivery aligns with scope, timeline, budget, and quality.
  • Identify and document risks and dependencies, coordinating mitigation proactively across the enterprise.
  • Run steering and review cadences with project sponsors to report progress, escalate issues, and drive decisions through a stage-gate review process
  • Align diverse stakeholders around a shared vision, priorities, and understanding of portfolio value, timelines, risks, and status.
  • Bring business owners and SMEs in early so solutions reflect the nuance of the business and stay owned by the business.
  • Organize portfolio and value reviews for multiple audiences, including executive and Apollo-facing forums.
  • Escalate roadblocks quickly and with urgency to mobilize resources proactively.


What You'll Need:
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA or quantitative field such as Finance, Economics, Statistics) preferred.
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience, preferably in Commercial Finance, Sales Finance, Strategic Finance, Consulting, or similar.
  • Experience leading multiple large ($1M+) projects, preferably around process improvement or finance/commercial transformation.
  • Proficient in financial software and tools; experience with ERP e.g., SAP & OneStream systems preferred.
  • Proven ability to lead projects across Commercial, Operations, and Finance functions.
  • Exposure to AI, automation, or analytics-enabled business initiatives, and comfort partnering with technology and data teams.
  • Strong analytical skills with a proven track record in data analysis and reporting.
  • Strong communication (written and verbal), planning, and organizing skills.
  • Experience managing consultants, contractors, and internal project teams.
  • Influence strategy and outcomes without formal operational authority.
  • Open-minded questioning: "What would need to be true for this to work?"
  • Creativity in problem solving, especially complex processes involving many teams and decisions.
  • Familiarity with AI/automation use cases in commercial, pricing, or finance (e.g., pricing tools, Next Best Action, margin management, agentic workflows).
  • Understanding of value realization discipline and finance validation in a private-equity-backed / value creation plan environment.
  • Project management best practices across all lifecycle phases, including risk management.
  • Business process mapping, future-state design, and change management.
  • Technology and analytics fluency, including agile development approaches.
  • Adaptable communication across diverse stakeholder groups; ability to work across all levels including frontline, analysts, executives, and Board.
  • Strong data fluency and data storytelling. MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook) and Tableau required.


Where You'll Work:

This is a hybrid-based role that will sit out of our corporate headquarters in Downers Grove, IL.

Pay & Benefits:
  • The salary range is $150,000 - $185,000. This role is also eligible for incentive pay.
  • The specific salary offered to a candidate may be motivated by a variety of factors including the candidate's meaningful experience, education, training, certifications, qualifications, and work location.
  • Available employee benefits include health, vision, and dental. We also provide 401k matching for retirement and flexible time off.


What You Can Expect:
  • Strong work/life flexibility
  • To be surrounded by an inclusive team who is collaborative and committed to the achievement of the company
  • To be rewarded for your contributions with a targeted annual company bonus and annual salary reviews
  • Competitive pay and benefits

About Univar USA Inc

Univar Solutions sells acids, additives, modifiers, chelants, enzymes, essential chemicals, ingredients, oleochemicals, oxides, peroxides, polymers, resins, process aids, silicates, silicones, sodium, solvents, surfactants, and more.

Univar USA Inc Careers

Join the dynamic team at Univar USA Inc, a leading distributor of chemicals and ingredients, and be part of a company that thrives on innovation, leadership, and diversity. At Univar, we are committed to providing unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and development in an environment that values each individual’s contribution.

Work You’ll Do

At Univar USA Inc, you will collaborate with some of the industry's most knowledgeable minds to help drive progress in various sectors through our expertise in chemical and ingredient distribution. Our commitment to innovation and sustainability makes us a unique leader in the marketplace, where technology and expertise create solutions that advance our customers' ambitions.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

Univar USA Inc is not just a company; it's a community where you can build a career. With a culture that fosters diversity and inclusion, we believe in empowering our employees to achieve their full potential. Whether you are looking for job opportunities, internships, or leadership roles, Univar offers a path to success.

Innovative Work

Engage in work that matters with a team that values bold ideas and proactive solutions. Our employees are encouraged to lead projects that redefine industry standards and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Career Development

Future-proof your career at Univar USA Inc with continuous learning and development opportunities. From diversity training to leadership workshops, we provide the tools and resources necessary for career advancement and personal growth. Our robust benefits package supports the well-being of our team members and their families, ensuring a rewarding work-life balance.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, Univar offers a range of employment options to match your skills and interests. Explore positions in sales, logistics, research, and more. Our internships provide a fantastic opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and develop essential industry skills.

Be Part of a Great Team

Join a team where collaboration and networking are at the heart of our operations. At Univar, you are part of a global network of professionals dedicated to making a positive impact on the world around us.

Stay Connected

- **Search Univar Jobs**: Discover open positions that align with your career goals. We are always on the lookout for passionate, curious, and innovative team players. - **Keep Up to Date**: Stay informed with the latest company news, career tips, and industry insights—all from the people who work here. - **Job Alert Emails**: Customize your subscription to receive job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Univar USA Inc. Join Univar USA Inc and be part of a company where your career can thrive in an environment of respect, integrity, and endless possibilities.
Learn more about Univar USA Inc
Size
9,450 employees
Market Cap
$5.2 billion
Industry
Business Services
Net Income
$52.9 million
Founded
1924
5 Year Trend
+3.4%
Revenue
$8.2 billion
NASDAQ
UNVR
* Ladders Estimates

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