Sappi North America (Sappi) is looking for the next key member of its financial accounting team at the Sappi Westbrook Mill.  This candidate will play a significant role in the finance teams’ delivery of financial and cost accounting services, financial analysis, reporting and financial planning functions and business decision support.  It is our expectation that this candidate has demonstrated capabilities to partner with other members of Sappi Westbrook Mill finance and mill operations to enhance the financial and decision making capabilities and to improve financial processes at the manufacturing site.  Our ideal candidate is a highly motivated, results-oriented financial professional who has proven interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and interact at all levels of the organization to drive financial performance, process improvements and value creation that is aligned with the strategic and operational goals and objectives of Sappi and management of the Sappi Westbrook Mill.

Accountabilities:

• Accounting- Provide financial and cost accounting services for the mill site including product costing, inventory control and valuation, analysis.  Responsible for critical aspects of the month-end closing process including completion of reconciliations, calculations, journal entries, and other summaries of performance.  Perform more complex accounting activities, providing specialized analysis and reporting thereon.

• Financial Analysis- Assess, develop and present the necessary financial information and associated analyses of manufacturing productivity, product cost and financial performance that are timely and accurate.  Effectively evaluate actual results vs. budget and forecast, year-to-year trends, and assesses future implications. Develop complex analyses and business models as needs of the operations evolve. Assist, direct and advise on the financial requirements and analysis of and for strategic projects, and report on the progress of those projects.

• Business Decision Support- Working with other members of the Sappi Westbrook Mill finance team, develop appropriate analysis, reporting and financial modeling of key drivers and financial levers to provide business decision support to mill management.   Analyze opportunities to maximize value creation (profit, working capital, return on assets and productivity).

• Budgeting and Planning- At the direction of the mill finance leadership, coordinate aspects of the annual budget process, periodic forecasts and financial estimates.  Together with other mill and finance functions, develop cost standards, budgetary and forecast metrics and other cost accounting processes needed to measure and evaluate mill performance.

• Process Improvement- Participate in or lead cross-functional business process and system improvement initiatives to maximize value creation (profit, working capital, return on assets and productivity).   Analyze business drivers and levers and address risk and reward potential for these initiatives.

• Control Framework- Support mill site’s efforts to ensure business procedures and financial practices are in compliance with Sappi’s system of internal controls and corporate policies; act as financial resource to other mill operational functions to ensure consistent application, documentation and implementation of control objectives.

• Other- Design and lead special projects and other assigned activities as directed by mill and finance management. Ability to mentor, motivate and assist mill controller in the professional development of members of the finance organization.

Required skills and abilities:

• Ability to work within matrixed, cross functional teams to assess financial results on business initiatives; capable of building relationships and to influence across functions and levels.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical capabilities including extensive managerial and cost accounting skills and costing processes, budget planning and forecasting; a sound knowledge of financial/managerial accounting concepts and principles.  Strong analytical capabilities coupled with the ability to identify issues, acquire mutual agreement as to the resolution and implement change.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills needed. Strong analytical skills and ability to create concise, easy to understand information from large volumes of system transactions.
• Strong progressive roles and responsibilities in controllership related functions preferred; supervisory experience with demonstrated capability to mentor, motivate and develop staff.
• Clear understanding of the capabilities of integrated information systems (SAP) and database structures to drive efficiencies and improvements in the availability and use of financial information.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite of products and other database management tools;  requires building of analytical Excel models.
• Excellent team player with a high level of self-management and motivation to continually improve the systems, structures and processes used in the financial area. 
• Success in the role requires a high level of accuracy, productivity and flexibility to multitask various projects within a deadline driven environment.  Strong project and program management skills.
• A strong sense of urgency and drive for results.

Minimum Education and Skills Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Accounting or Finance major preferred
• CPA or other relevant advanced degree a plus
• Minimum 5 to 7 years experience in managerial/cost accounting, as well as, financial planning, budgeting and analysis experience; experience in a process manufacturing environment  or pulp and paper industry a plus
• Strong research, analytical and critical thinking skills, detail oriented
• Effective communication skills (written & verbal)
• Ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to work effectively in team environment and independently
• Solid computer skills, including Microsoft office suite of products
• Knowledge of integrated information systems (SAP preferred)