General InformationJob IDATR68260
Posting Job TitleSr. Finance Mgr. - Bus Finance & Accounting Leader
LocationsKY Nicholasville
Employment TypeFull Time
Date Posted06-Oct-2026
Relocation SupportYes
The OpportunityWe are seeking a Business Finance & Accounting Leader who will report to the General Manager. This individual will be responsible for the Nicholasville, KY, manufacturing plant and, through fact-based analysis, will provide insights, recommendations, and analysis to drive improvements in operations, sales, and the plant's overall profitability. The Business Finance & Accounting Leader will serve as a business partner to the site General Manager and will be accountable for the facility's bottom-line results.
How You Will Impact Smurfit WestrockBudget and Financial Preparation and Reporting- Prepare the annual budget and quarterly forecasts in partnership with the Plant General Manager, with a focus on forecast accuracy.
- Use KPIs and plant initiatives to project future plant growth opportunities and encourage analysis beyond traditional product costs.
- Collaborate with Commercial Business Leaders to challenge and validate top-line revenue expectations.
- Effectively communicate the organization's values.
- Create simplified budgeting and reporting processes.
- Balance financial and nonfinancial indicators.
- Clearly report and articulate the key items affecting business results.
- Serve as a consultant to business partners to help develop action plans for improvement.
- Support, review, and track cost takeout initiatives.
Strategic Planning and Capital Expenditures (CAPEX)- Partner with the General Manager on future and long-range capital needs to sustain and/or grow the site's business opportunities.
- Understand competitors' strengths and weaknesses.
Internal Controls- Oversee all internal controls and control failures at the site.
- Ensure decisions are made by individuals with the appropriate authority.
- Ensure key processes follow documented company policies.
- Ensure adequate control over the company's local assets and financial reporting.
- Balance value creation with effective and efficient controls.
- Optimize processes through IT improvements and implementation.
- Drive process improvements by applying best practices across the organization.
Profitability Analysis- Use data systems to provide ongoing customer profitability analysis and help identify and correct margin erosion.
- Facilitate open discussions among business leaders about driving additional margin through volume, pricing, or operational changes.
Accounting- Actively review and validate plant work in process (WIP), finished goods, and raw material values.
- Create and/or review monthly site journal entries.
- Review P&L accounts and identify necessary cost reclassifications.
- Facilitate and assist with plant inventory counts, count verifications, and reconciliation processes.
- Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
Working Capital and Cash Flow Monitoring- Facilitate decision-making with business partners to drive working capital improvements and prevent negative impacts.
Additional Analysis and Support- Perform ad hoc analysis.
- Compare plant performance with similar plants or businesses.
- Support profitability improvement programs when the plant is on an improvement plan.
- Compile and deliver plant-visit presentations to senior leadership during onsite or Microsoft Teams meetings.
Note: This list of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive. Other ad hoc responsibilities may be assigned based on plant or division needs.
What You Need to Succeed- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration; CPA and/or MBA preferred.
- Progressive experience in corporate or operations finance, with 10 or more years of relevant experience.
- Experience in the paper and packaging industry or another manufacturing or operations environment is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing and influencing diverse teams, with full responsibility for hiring, development, and performance management.
- Strong analytical skills and business perspective, with a willingness to examine details.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, along with demonstrated experience serving as a business partner to operational leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
- Self-motivated and self-directed, with a passion for continuous improvement and the ambition to take on greater levels of responsibility.
- Strong computer skills, including knowledge of AS400, BPCS, Radius, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, pivot tables, and data mining. Prior Hyperion experience is desired.
What We Offer- Corporate culture based on safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect.
- Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
- An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
- A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of daily work.
