Sr. Director, Brand Finance

Work Location: ​Chicago​

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Want to make an impact?

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Sr. Director of Brand Finance to join our finance team and play a pivotal role in driving profitable growth across Ferrara's portfolio of brands. This role will serve as a key business partner to Brand Marketing, Innovation, and Commercial Leadership teams, providing critical financial insights to support strategic decision-making, optimize investments, and maximize brand profitability. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in consumer packaged goods, brand financial management, innovation evaluation, and strategic planning.

Ways you will make a difference

• Serve as the strategic finance leader for Ferrara’s Domestic Brands portfolio, collaborate closely with Brand Marketing, Innovation, Sales, and Commercial Planning teams to drive profitable growth and value creation.
• Act as primary finance partner to brand leadership, supporting the development and execution of growth strategies across Ferrara's portfolio.
• Lead financial planning, forecasting, and performance management processes for assigned brands, including Annual Operating Plans, monthly forecasts, and long-range strategic plans.
• Partner with Marketing leadership to evaluate and optimize advertising, consumer promotion, and brand investment spending, balancing growth objectives with return on investment and profitability targets.
• Provide financial leadership and governance for portfolio and commercialization decisions, ensuring investments are aligned with enterprise growth and margin objectives.  
• Provide financial leadership across functions in evaluating innovation launches, pricing strategies, and any other margin enhancement opportunities.
• Monitor and analyze brand performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities related to volume, mix, pricing, margins, and market dynamics. Oversee financial assessments of innovation pipelines, including business case development, post-launch reviews, and investment prioritization.
• Develop and enhance executive reporting  and KPIs to provide actionable insights to senior leadership.
• Manage month-end close, forecasting, and reporting processes in partnership with the broader Finance organization.
• Collaborate with Finance, IT, and Data & Analytics teams to identify and implement systems and reporting enhancements that improve decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Champion continuous improvement across financial processes, planning methodologies, and performance management practices to strength organizational capabilities. 
• Lead, coach and develop a team of finance directors, managers and analysts, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, development, and continuous improvement.

Skills that will make you successful

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong strategic thinking capabilities and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business recommendations.
• Track record of driving change, process improvements, and organizational effectiveness.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Intellectually curious with a continuous improvement mindset and passion for driving business performance.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, challenge assumptions, and influence decision-making through data-driven insights.
• Strength of character and executive presence; comfortable challenging the status quo and driving strategic conversations.

Experiences that will support your success

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or related field; MBA or CPA preferred.
• 12-15 years of progressive finance experience, including significant experience in brand finance, commercial finance, strategic planning, or consumer packaged goods finance.
• Consumer products industry experience strongly preferred.
• Proven experience partnering with Marketing, Innovation, and Commercial teams to drive business performance and strategic growth.
• Demonstrated success leading and devel