Associate Manager - Financial Systems & Transformation
2 days ago
Edison
Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, and Fairway Market Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices. Summary The Associate Manager, Financial Systems & Transformation, is responsible for overseeing Wakefern’s core financial systems, gross profit reporting, and finance transformation initiatives. This role ensures stability, accuracy, and continuous improvement of Oracle Financial systems and Gross Profit / Cash & Sales processes that support Retail Members, Corporate and Shared Financial Services. The position leads a team of financial systems and gross profit professionals, partners closely with Technology and Finance Leadership, and drives modernization through process improvement, automation, and data‑driven insights. Essential Functions • Financial Systems Leadership & Gross Profit Oversight, • Oversee Oracle Financial systems including General Ledger, Accounts Payable (including OCR), Fixed Assets, Gross Profit, and Cash & Sales., • Accountable for ensuring accurate, timely, controlled, and scalable financial processing and reporting for 48+ Members, 70+ stores, and Wakefern corporate entities, while driving continuous improvement through technology, data, and AI‑enabled capabilities., • Ensure reliable operation of high‑volume interfaces (POS Cash & Sales, Payroll, Inventory, Coupons, DSD, Pharmacy, Reclamation, Utilities)., • Oversee period‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close system readiness, including reconciliations, controls, and issue resolution., • Ensure master data governance alignment (vendors, GL accounts, calendars, legal entities), • Partner with Technology and SFS leadership on system upgrades, enhancements, testing, and issue resolution., • Provide leadership oversight for the Gross Profit team, covering Gross Profit reporting, balance sheet reconciliations, audit schedules, and member support related to GP and inventory., • Ensure accuracy and integrity of Cash & Sales feeds from member POS systems into Oracle GL., • Oversee member support, training, and issue resolution related to GP, inventory results, and reporting., • Finance Transformation & Continuous Improvement, • Drive process documentation, standardization, and optimization across finance systems and reporting., • Identify and implement automation, analytics, and AI‑enabled improvements., • Support SAP S/4HANA coexistence and future‑state finance transformation initiatives., • Establish and monitor KPIs, controls, and operational metrics to measure efficiency, quality, and risk., • Ensure strong internal controls, documentation, and timely remediation of issues., • Leadership & Stakeholder Management, • Manage and develop a team of financial systems and gross profit associates setting priorities, balance workloads, and ensuring coverage and succession planning for critical processing and support activities., • Serve as the primary liaison between Finance, Technology, SFS, external vendors, and auditors., • Prepare executive‑level dashboards, updates, and decision materials. Qualifications • Required, • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or Information Systems., • 7+ years of progressive experience in Financial Systems, Accounting Operations, or Finance Transformation., • Hands‑on experience with Oracle Financials (EBS or similar) across GL, AP, and integrated sub‑systems., • Strong understanding of retail accounting, gross profit, inventory, and cash & sales processes., • Experience managing cross‑functional teams and complex stakeholder environments in operational and project settings., • High attention to detail with the ability to balance operational rigor and strategic thinking., • Demonstrated ability to lead change, influence stakeholders, and hold teams accountable., • Strong Microsoft 365 skills, including Excel (advanced), Power Query/BI, Teams, and SharePoint., • Preferred, • MBA or CPA, • Experience leveraging automation, analytics, and AI tools to improve finance processes., • Excellent analytical, communication, stakeholder and project management skills., • Ability to lead in a fast‑paced, transformation‑driven environment. Working Conditions & Physical Demands • Availability to work a varied, flexible schedule to meet business demands, • Ability to monitor computer screens for long periods of time, • Ability to work a schedule as established by the division (4 days on-site) Core Competencies • Communicate Effectively: Communicates thoughts and ideas in a well-organized manner, encouraging two-way communication., • Build Relationships: Creates cross-functional partnerships through the development and maintenance of constructive and cooperative relationships., • Stay Competitive: Demonstrates a mindset of continuous improvement while exhibiting passion and enthusiasm for their work., • Embrace Change: Looks for new ways of working by supporting advancements in processes and technology., • Develop You: Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for personal and professional career growth., • Drive for Results: Supports divisional and strategic objectives through achievement of work goals.