The Senior Financial Analyst will support the financial planning process, financial analysis, and development of key business insights primarily for the sales and gross margin functional areas. This position will provide insights, analysis, reporting, tools, and focus on process improvement. Partnering with the Senior Team Leader and the analyst team, the ideal candidate will understand underlying retail business drivers and utilizes this knowledge to partner in the development of reports, tools, and models to help drive the business towards company goals. They will be deadline driven, drive continuous improvement and possess strong modeling, analytical and communication skills with excellent problem solving and partnering abilities.

Responsibilities:

· Supports a cross-regional quarterly, annual, and long-term sales and gross margin forecasting and targeting process focused on transparency, accuracy, and financial improvement.

· Partners cross-functionally to understand underlying retail business drivers and utilizes this knowledge to partner in the development of forecasting models consistent with company goals.

· Contributes to weekly, monthly, and quarterly sales performance reviews and opportunity identification.

· Shares performance review insights with the Financial Business Analysis Team and regional leadership for further short-term action plan development.

· Partners with Merchandising team to align and influence decision making through financial reporting and dashboards, bringing together high-level financial measures and category analytics to support decision making.

· Provide weekly and periodic updates on gross margin and sales results and projections with insights into financial opportunities based on variance and relationship analysis.

· Contribute to weekly business review responsibilities, offering insight and updates to merchant and finance leadership regarding financial performance.

· Builds and partners with a strong FP&A network across Whole Foods Market’s Global support teams to learn, incorporate, and share best practices to better support the team.

· Organize and drive enhancements to the global financial reporting portfolio as required.

· Provides gross margin analysis on various markets, competition, and cannibalization.

· Supports alignment and communication to leadership team through the effective use of PowerPoint, when required.

· The above describe the general requirements for the position. It is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements as the business and needs evolve.

Qualifications:

· Minimum of 4+ years of financial analysis/reporting experience.

· Bachelors degree, Finance or Accounting (MBA or CPA preferred).

· Experience in Enterprise Performance solutions –SAP Business Planning and Consolidations (BPC), Adaptive Insights, Tidemark, Tableau software a plus.

· Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and the Microsoft Office Suite.

· Advanced ability to use Excel for data manipulations, database reference functions, pivot tables, complex and nested formulas and charting.

· Possess superb knowledge and understanding of financial systems, financial planning and analysis, and accounting principles.

· Strong ability to compile, monitor, examine and audit financial statements, reports and accounts.

· Planning/Forecasting experience is a strong plus, preferably experience in a dynamic, scenario driven rolling forecast environment with a strong focus on accuracy.

· Presents problem analysis and recommended solutions in a creative and logical manner.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to present information in different forums and with all/multiple levels of leadership.

· Positive attitude, ability to work well and fast under pressure, exceptional customer service attitude.

· Ability to work independently and be self-directed, as well as be a team player.

· Ability to thrive in an ever-changing environment.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality.

· Knowledge of Whole Foods Market principles and core values.

· Job Families for Job Profiles

Education & Experience:

• BA/BS degree and 4-6 years’ relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.