Senior Manager, Operations Finance

About this role

Company Description
Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made, creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we’re a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide.
Now, as part of Flowers Foods, we’re entering an exciting new phase of growth—expanding our reach, accelerating innovation, and amplifying brand awareness, all while preserving the integrity of what makes Simple Mills special. Our commitment to using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures that every bite is both delicious and nutritious. Whether it’s watermelon seed flour in our cookies or butternut squash in our crackers, we craft our products with innovative, wholesome ingredients that deliver extraordinary taste.
Our work has been recognized by Fast Company as a Brand That Matters and a Most Innovative Company, and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Women’s Health, and NPR’s How I Built This. In 2024, Inc. named us one of its Best Workplaces, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment where passionate individuals can make a difference.
Join us as we shape the future of food. Learn more at www.simplemills.com.
Requirements
Role Description
The Senior Manager, Operations Finance will provide strategic financial leadership and decision support across the Operations organization. This role sits between the Manager and Director levels, combining hands-on ownership of core Operations Finance processes with broader leadership, cross-functional influence, and accountability for improving financial performance. The position will report to the Director, Operations Finance and will partner closely with Operations, Finance, and Accounting leadership. Responsibilities will include:

• Lead long range planning, annual planning, monthly forecasting, and development of Operations financial KPIs, including gross margin, cost savings, and productivity targets.

• Own insightful and actionable reporting on Operations financial performance, including COGS forecasting and variance analysis by puct line, spend type, and operational driver.

• Partner closely with Procurement, Manufacturing, Demand and Supply Planning, Accounting, and other stakeholders to identify risks, evaluate trade-offs, and unlock opportunities to improve financial outcomes.

• Lead and strengthen BOM management, standard costing, inventory accounting, and cost variance processes in partnership with Accounting and Operations.

• Drive the identification, prioritization, financial validation, tracking, and measurement of margin improvement and cost savings initiatives.

• Support capital expenditure budgets and financial analysis for capital projects and other strategic Operations investments.

• Provide financial leadership for new supplier and co-manufacturer qualifications, transitions, network changes, and other strategic initiatives, including scenario modeling and risk-benefit analysis.

• Translate complex operational and financial data into clear recommendations and executive-ready narratives that support timely decision-making.

• Lead cross-functional process improvements, system enhancements, and automation that improve accuracy, visibility, efficiency, and scalability.

• Build financial acumen across cross-functional teams and foster a culture of strong financial stewardship and accountability.

• Coach and develop Finance team members while providing day-to-day leadership across key workstreams, with the potential to assume direct people-management responsibilities as the team evolves.

• Serve as a delegate and thought partner to the Director, Operations Finance, helping shape priorities and represent Operations Finance in cross-functional forums.

• Perform other projects and responsibilities as assigned

Position Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive experience in Finance, with significant experience in Operations, Supply Chain, or CPG Finance preferred.

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certification is a plus.

• Strong understanding of COGS forecasting, variance analysis, standard costing, BOMs, inventory accounting, and key operational performance drivers, including volume, mix, material pricing, scrap, freight, and capacity utilization.

• Proven ability to lead annual planning and forecasting processes and convert analysis into clear, actionable business recommendations.

• Demonstrated success driving cost savings, margin improvement, process improvement, and system implementation initiatives.

• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to influence across functions and levels without relying solely on formal authority.

• Strong business acumen and sound judgment, including the ability to evaluate trade-offs between growth, service, risk, and profitability.

• Advanced financial modeling and Excel skills; experience with integrated ERP systems required, with NetSuite experience preferred.

• Experience coaching, developing, or managing others preferred.

• Self-starter and creative problem solver who thrives in ambiguity, manages multiple priorities, and works with speed and accuracy.

• A passion for natural food and healthy eating, as well as a desire to positively impact the way food is made.
Benefits
Working at Simple Mills
At Simple Mills, we’re not just building a brand, we’re leading a movement that’s transforming how food is made and enjoyed. If you’re passionate about purpose-driven work and crave a role where you can have a meaningful impact, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.
Why Join Us?

• Be a Change-Maker
Play a key role in redefining the food industry, crafting products that nourish people and…