Grower Finance Manager

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Grower Finance Manager! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role — it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all — and we’ve been making our own way ever since. 

Position Location: We're all about flexibility. This will be a remote role based out of our corporate headquarters in Lakeville, MA. We are open to remote candidates.

The Grower Finance Manager is responsible for managing cooperative financial agreements with our grower-owners. The primary focus of the role is calculating and distributing patronage proceeds, managing grower-owner equity, analyzing implications of policy changes, and applying contractual obligations. The Grower Finance Manager is a key member of the Ocean Spray finance team reporting to the Director, Treasury and working as a business partner to the Cooperative Development & Grower Relations team.

A Day in the Life...

• Manage the distribution of corporate proceeds to grower-owners​ and ensure timely and accurate disbursement to growers in accordance with the provisions included in the Cooperative Marketing Agreements (CMAs).
• Manage the financial aspects of Cooperative Marketing Agreements (CMAs) with grower-owners to ensure appropriate application of contractual obligations including grower contract changes, policy implications of proposed actions, and related functions​.
• Work cross-functionally with Senior Leadership in Cooperative Development & Grower Relations, Finance and Legal functions to ensure smooth functioning of the cooperative.
• Prepare distribution schedules to accompany quarterly proceeds payments, which includes estimates for quarterly distributions based on the latest financial forecast.  The distribution schedules are reviewed regularly with Ocean Spray senior leadership team and the Board of Directors.
• Supervise and lead the grower finance team giving direction on all aspects of grower payments, equity reporting and related functions. Ensure accuracy and alignment with commitments and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
• Co-owner of the GBS application and is responsible for the content and accuracy of information.  Works with Tech to ensure the stability of the platform as well as continue to enhance functionality and reporting. (GBS is a custom Ocean Spray grower extranet tool). Identifies feature updates and enhancements to the Grower Extranet to improve grower communications.
• Manage, as Transfer Agent and Registrar, the shareholder services function and the development of corporate capitalization via grower-owner equity​.
• Responsible for analysis and reporting of all patronage related information to management, grower-owners and external regulatory agencies​.
• Initiate, develop, and maintain the processes and systems necessary to ensure the highest compliance standards are met​.
• Communicate with grower-owners as questions arise related to continuous pool payments, equity, incentives, or other financial related topics.
• Coordinate and distribute 1099 forms (1099-PATR, 1099-DIV and 1099-INT) annually to grower-owners to support the preparation of their U.S. Federal and State income tax.
• Coordinate and distribute to grower-owners the tax benefit for domestic manufacturing activities under Section 199A(g) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Partner with accounting and FP&A team to provide grower finance inputs for quarterly debt covenant calculations and forward-looking forecasts.
• Prepare materials for Board meetings including payment schedules, bridges, Board votes related to equity, and other materials as needed.

What We Are Looking For:

• 5+ years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or finance.
• Experience in treasury, banking, accounting, finance or related field.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), financial reporting, tax, legal and audit disciplines.
• Analytical skills and strong attention to detail
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate cross-functionally and across all levels of the organization.  This role requires the ability to establish credibility, build constructive relationships and impact cross-functionally at all levels in the organization. It also requires the ability to synthesize, simplify and present complex information and concepts to non-financial audiences including grower-owners.
• Independent thought-leader; self-motivated and self-directed work style
• Must be knowledgeable in standard business software (MS Office, ERPs) to at least an intermediate level, and with the aptitude to quickly become an