About the role

The Financial Analyst will perform cost analysis, variance reporting, and budget preparation while collaborating with operations and corporate teams. They are responsible for implementing SAP-driven process improvements and ensuring accurate standard costs for multiple product lines.

What they look for

Financial analysis Budgeting Forecasting Cost analysis Variance reporting SAP FI/CO Material ledger Microsoft Excel Power BI Internal control GAAP Data analysis Process automation Business communication Collaboration Standard costing

Requirements

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree and possess at least 2-5 years of experience in standard cost and accounting within the food industry. Proficiency in SAP, Microsoft Excel, and knowledge of dairy processing are required for this role.

Benefits

Insurance coverage Retirement plans Paid time off Education reimbursement Training and development opportunities

Full description

Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis Heritage Dairy, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Financial Analyst based in Tulare, CA.

The Financial Analyst role works on an independent basis, performing a variety of activities in support of the profit center director. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

Internal Control experience
Budget and Forecast skills, collaborating with operations and corporate teams to prepare comprehensive documents.
Able to conduct detailed cost analysis and variance reporting for manufacturing.
Experience implementing and managing SAP FI/CO and Material Ledger processes (budgets and month end closings).
Manage costing processes for multiple product lines, ensuring accurate standard costs and timely updates aligned with raw material fluctuations.
Partner with production and procurement teams to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve margin performance.
Develop automated reporting tools within SAP to streamline cost analysis and variance reporting.
High level of Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, macros, queries, etc..), Power BI will be a plus.
Ability to learn new finance/operations software tools
High skill of business communication.
High level of collaboration with the operations team Reducing cost variances by implementing robust procedures and real-time monitoring through SAP.
Ability to improve month-end closing efficiency by 30% through SAP-driven automation and process standardization.
Support new product launches with accurate cost simulations and profitability analysis.
Lead the Internal Control applying GAAP
Set up Operations results dashboards
Eager to growth professionally and willing to relocate based on business needs

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree required.
At least 3 years of proved experience in Standard Cost and Accounting within the Food Industry

Experience

Two to five years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred
Knowledge of Dairy processing is required.
Ability to perform a multitude of tasks.
Strong communication abilities, written and verbal.
Food Plant experience preferred.

Certifications and specific knowledge

Knowledge of computer software: Microsoft Office; experience with Prism and SAP preferred.
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload in order to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Needs to have significant computer skills

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.