Senior Financial Analyst – Operations

Description:

The Senior Financial Analyst – Operations (Cost Accounting & FP&A) provides integrated financial support for the Chippewa Falls operation by owning plant cost accounting fundamentals and leading forward-looking planning and performance analysis. The role maintains accurate manufacturing cost standards and inventory valuation integrity, produces operational reporting and variance analysis, and partners with plant leadership to forecast results, evaluate scenarios, and support operating decisions.

About W.S. Darley & Co: Founded in 1908, W.S. Darley & Co. (Darley) remains a family owned and operated business, supplying the highest quality equipment solutions to its military and first responder customers. With origins in the equipment distribution and Midwest manufacturing, Darley offers a family of leading innovative emergency equipment brands and innovative solutions. Darley prides itself on delivering the highest quality solutions and services from its corporate headquarters in Itasca, IL and its’ ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing operations in Chippewa Falls, WI and Janesville, IA.

Major Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze cost rolls for parts, assemblies, and plant operations; evaluate the operational and financial impact of cost updates.
• Compile and maintain labor and overhead (OH) rates, support rate updates, documentation, and analysis of key drivers.
• Ensure inventory valuation integrity; assess and communicate the projected margin and inventory impacts of cost roll changes and recommend timing based on inventory levels and financial exposure.
• Provide oversight of cost-related transactions and process controls; identify and implement improvements that enhance accuracy, timeliness, and audit readiness.
• Maintain base pricing through monthly review and ad hoc analysis to support customer support requests and margin integrity (as applicable to the operation).
• Produce weekly/monthly/quarterly plant performance reporting; define and track key operating KPIs (utilization, efficiency, variances, OH spend vs. budget, working capital metrics).
• Perform variance analysis (actual vs. budget/forecast) across labor, material, overhead, and mix; identify root causes and quantify corrective actions with operations partners.
• Support and/or lead plant budgeting and periodic forecasting; translate operational assumptions into financial projections and provide driver-based commentary.
• Develop and maintain models for project/proposal cost and margin analysis; conduct scenario and sensitivity analysis and compare actual results to expected outcomes.
• Support GAAP adherence for inventory and cost accounting, including R&D credit roll-ups where applicable; partner with accounting during month-end close to ensure completeness and accuracy of cost-related results.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This position operates in a manufacturing environment with a mix of office-based analytical work and routine interaction with production and operations teams on the plant floor. Work is primarily computer-based with periods of sitting; occasional standing/walking in the facility is expected.

Position Type, Expected Hours of Work, and Travel

Full-time position. Standard business hours with flexibility required during month-end close, forecast, and budget cycles. Occasional travel to other Darley locations may be required.

Essential Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

Experience

• Progressive experience in manufacturing finance, cost accounting, and/or FP&A (Senior Analyst scope).
• Experience with standard costing, inventory valuation, and operational variance analysis in a plant environment preferred.

Skills

• Strong understanding of financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) and general ledger concepts.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; ability to build, understand, and maintain complex models and analyses.
• Broad ERP/reporting knowledge; ability to extract and validate data from ERP and reporting tools; SQL helpful.
• Analytical problem solving; ability to recognize anomalies, determine root causes, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Clear written and verbal communication; able to present financial information to non-finance stakeholders with concise, consistent messaging.
• Collaborative working style with strong cross-functional partnering skills; strong organization and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Requirements:

AAP/EEO Statement

Darley is an equal opportunity organization. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This position is important to the overall effective operations of the organization and contributes to the overall achievement of the organization's established quality objectives. This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbent will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by the supervisor.