Believer Meats Looking for Director of Finance & Commercial Planning at Chicago, IL Full Time

Believer Meats is an innovative start-up revolutionizing the food industry through the development and commercialization of cultivated meat products. Leveraging cutting-edge biotechnology, we aim to provide sustainable, ethical, and high-quality meat alternatives to consumers worldwide. As we prepare to transition from research and development to commercialization, we are seeking a seasoned Finance and Commercial Planning Director to join our team.

The Finance & Commercial Planning Director will play a pivotal role in driving strategic decision-making processes by leading the development and execution of our IBP framework and playing a key role in product planning. This individual will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to align financial planning with operational activities, ensuring seamless integration across all business functions. Reporting directly to the EVP, Procurement, Finance and Sustainability, the Finance & Commercial Planning Director will play a critical role in guiding the company’s financial strategy and decision-making process. The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis, as well as excellent communication and leadership skills.

Your Day to Day:

Financial Planning and Analysis:

• Develop and maintain dynamic financial models that incorporate information on production volumes, sales demand, pricing, COGS, CapEx, and SG&A projections.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams (R&D, Tech Transfer, Procurement, Product Development) to understand performance against key indicators and adjust costs and projections.
• Analyze financial performance, identify trends, and provide insights to senior management to support strategic decision making, and drive business growth and profitability.

Commercial Planning & Decision Support

• Develop and implement an IBP framework that integrates financial planning, sales and operations planning (S&OP), demand planning, supply chain management, commercial planning, and pricing strategies.
• Partner with product and commercial team to provide financial insights and analysis that inform market expansion, product development, and partnerships.
• Evaluate potential investments and strategic opportunities, conducting financial due diligence and ROI analysis.
• Construct budget and business case for products that includes market mapping, demand planning, and pricing

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Lead the annual budgeting process and quarterly forecasting cycles, working closely with department heads to develop accurate and actionable financial plans.
• Monitor budget variances, identify areas of concern or opportunity, and provide recommendations to optimize resource allocation and drive efficiency.

Financial Reporting and Analysis:

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and presentations for senior management, investors, and other stakeholders.
• Conduct in-depth financial analysis to support strategic initiatives, investment decisions, and business development opportunities.

Strategic Planning and Decision Support:

• Partner with product and commercial team to provide financial insights and analysis that inform market expansion, product development, and partnerships.
• Evaluate potential investments and strategic opportunities, conducting financial due diligence and ROI analysis.

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Identify financial risks and opportunities, assess their potential impact on the business, and develop strategies to mitigate risks.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accounting standards, staying informed of industry trends and best practices.

The Ideal candidates:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field, CFA/CPA, MBA or advanced finance degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in commercially oriented finance roles, ideally in growing food/ beverage company.
• Strong proficiency in financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis.
• Experience working with cross functional teams to support commercial and product planning.
• Strong understanding of integrated business planning (IBP) processes and principles.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Proven leadership and communication skills, with experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to think creatively and drive innovation.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-growth entrepreneurial environment preferred.