Business Analyst - Finance and Strategic Planning

Broad Function and Objective We’re looking for a Business Analyst – Finance and Strategic Planning to drive the identification and development of business improvement strategies and conduct financial and consumer analyses.  This newly-created role will support business analysis and implementation of the Company’s strategic initiatives across the organization. The incumbent will also execute financial analyses to identify sales-driving and profit improvement opportunities. This position is located downtown Chicago in the Merchandise Mart. WHAT WILL YOU DO? Execute financial, consumer, competitive, and market-based analyses under the direction of the VP, Finance.  Support development of long-term business strategic plans and the implementation of current-year initiatives.  Work closely with other key areas of the organization to establish and quantify the financial impact of the business planning scenarios.  Conduct in-depth analyses into opportunities and risks facing the business. Identify opportunities for improved business performance.  Assist in the implementation of improved analytical and planning tools.  Serve as Project Management resource for various finance and other cross-functional initiatives as needed Become “subject matter expert” in financial system and analysis software applications.  Team with other members of Finance and Strategic Planning to fulfill recurring reporting, planning, and forecasting needs. Become “subject matter expert” within the Finance and Strategic Planning team on one or more areas of the business including: supply chain management, restaurant operations, marketing, and/or property management. Drive improvements to the planning process by linking business performance metrics and analysis.  Assist in the collection and communication of data relevant to gap analysis, risk and opportunities to budget, etc.  Align with other cross-functional teams to understand impact of company-wide initiatives, agree on targets from these initiatives, and link these targets into the company-wide financial planning and forecasting.   Develop and update various models of strategic initiatives. Train line counterparts on the use of strategic planning tools and analyses.  Participate in the creation and implementation of a strategic planning variance analysis and performance management processes.  Conduct ad-hoc business and/or project analysis.  Deliver written and oral presentations of business risks and opportunities that will have a financial impact to the Senior Management Team. WHAT DO YOU NEED?Experience: 5-7 years of market and/or industry analysis experience.5-7 years of quantitative modeling/strategic analysis.  High energy level.  Excellent problem solving, critical thinking, analysis and strategy development skills.  The Ideal candidate will have several years of experience with strategic planning and/or strategy consulting. Ability to learn new software and manage large amounts of data through excellent PC skills.   Strong time management skills with experience working within cross-functional teams.  Solid written and verbal communications skills.  Demonstrated ability to balance attention to detail with task prioritization.  Self-guided, results-oriented problem-solver who adapts quickly to change and ambiguity.  Experience working with other functional areas in a team environment and ability to provide financial and business counsel to other areas of the organization.  Able to work well and remain flexible in a dynamic, growing, and fast-paced environment with minimally integrated business analysis systems.    Experience with a multi-location retail or restaurant business is preferred.  Computer Skills:  Solid computer aptitude including Excel as well as experience with financial systems and report tools such as Great Plains, FRx, Hyperion, ProClarity, or other similar financial systems and business intelligence tools.  Advanced statistical analysis experience preferred using SPSS or SAS. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Marketing or related field This position requires solid analytics and presentation skills that will be on display to organizational decision makers. The importance of this role drives the need for good written and verbal communications skills, with an emphasis on clarity and insight in message delivery.  If you are interested, apply online at www.potbelly.com/jobs and go to 'Career Opportunities' or simply click the pickle!