• Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis

    Cole-Parmer (Vernon Hills, IL)


    Job Title: Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis

     

    Reports To: Chief Financial Officer

     

    FLSA Status: Exempt

    Position Summary:

    Individual is responsible for driving financial planning, management reporting, and corporate analytics. This role partners across the organization to understand business drivers and translate them into budgets, forecasts, and insights that guide critical strategic decisions. A key focus will be enabling leaders to leverage analysis to identify growth levers—such as volume, pricing, and profitability—ultimately driving revenue and EBITDA. The VP will also play a central role in the company’s acquisition activities, from due diligence through integration and synergy realization, ensuring that financial insights support sustainable growth.

    Key Responsibilities:

    + Drive achievement of revenue, EBITDA, M&A, and synergy targets, ensuring alignment with annual budgets, growth objectives, and long-term value creation goals.

    + Lead the FP&A function, instilling analytical rigor, financial discipline, and a performance-focused culture across the organization.

    + Oversee quarterly and monthly management reporting, delivering accurate, actionable insights for internal leadership and the Board to support strategic decision-making.

    + Manage and enhance the company’s forecast model to provide clear visibility into performance and future opportunities.

    + Lead the annual budgeting process, aligning resource allocation with high-impact growth initiatives.

    + Identify, evaluate, and execute strategic initiatives that improve operational efficiency, optimize margins, and expand enterprise value.

    + Deliver proactive insights and recommendations to senior leadership to unlock growth levers and improve business outcomes.

    + Conduct ad hoc analyses to support strategic planning, ROI maximization, and value creation opportunities.

    + Partner globally with regional Finance teams to ensure consistent, timely, and accurate reporting that informs decision-making.

    + Build and maintain financial models and strategic assessments for key business opportunities, including new business models/P&Ls and operational planning.

    + Collaborate with Business Development on M&A strategy, from target assessment and valuation to due diligence, integration, and synergy realization.

    + Serve as a strategic advisor on Business Intelligence tools; design and optimize dashboards that track KPIs, uncover trends, and enable forward-looking decision-making.

    + Support CEO/CFO with Board materials, investor communications, valuations, and competitive analyses to reinforce the company’s value creation narrative.

    + Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing FP&A team focused on driving business performance.

    + Performs other duties as assigned.

    Education:

    + Bachelor’s Degree from accredited higher learning institution, preferably in chemistry, biochemistry, or closely related physical or biological science - or equivalent industry experience.

    Experience:

    + 15+ years of progressive finance experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (Director, VP, or Head of Finance).

    + B.S. degree required, MBA or advanced degree in finance or a related field preferred.

    + Proven track record in both buy-side and sell-side M&A transactions.

    + Experience in dynamic, high-growth environments, ideally within manufacturing or related industries.

    + Prior experience leading advancement of system driven capabilities to leverage automated reporting for greater analytics and insights.

    Qualifications:

    + Proven expertise in FP&A, reporting, and analytics.

    + Strong background in financial modeling, mergers & acquisitions, and advanced analytical skills.

    + Deep experience in budgeting, forecasting, and delivering value-added financial insights.

    + Ability to tackle complex finance issues and shape business strategy.

    + Exceptional written, verbal, and organizational skills.

    + Advanced Excel capabilities (including vlookup, pivot tables) and proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint.

    + Creative problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear, concise analysis.

    + Strong sense of urgency, with the ability to operate strategically and tactically.

    + Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

    + Experience building new financial models and enhancing existing ones.

    + Proven success communicating results and recommendations to senior management.

    + Ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing multiple priorities simultaneously.

    + Flexibility to thrive in a rapidly growing organization while managing competing initiatives.

    Compensation & Benefits:

    + Salary Range: $225k-$275k, depending on location, experience, and qualifications.

    + Bonus: 30%-40%

    + Benefits coverage begins day one, including the following:

    + Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

    + Disability Insurance

    + Life Insurance

    + 401(k) company match

    + Paid Time Off (15 days annually)

    + Paid Holiday time (10 company-designated days)

    + Tuition Assistance

    + Additional benefits available with company package

     

    This position has not been approved for Relocation Assistance.

     

    All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

     

    The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities associated with it.