Financial Planning Analyst

Description

Methods Machine Tools was established in 1958 with three employees and a handful of refurbished machines. Since then, the company has become one of the largest privately owned machine tool importers in North America.

Methods designs and implements custom machining setups, including machine tool selection, automation integration, and turnkey automation cells. The corporate campus in Sudbury, Mass., comprises a showroom/technical center, which contains automation, applications, and a full range of cutting-edge machines. Methods has more than 300 employees, 7 technology centers, 1 high precision machining center, and has installed more than 45,000 machines throughout North America.

Job Summary: The FP&A Analyst is responsible for supporting financial planning, forecasting, and analysis activities for a manufacturing organization within the CNC machine tool industry. This role partners closely with operations, sales, and service teams to provide data-driven insights that improve profitability, cost control, and strategic decision-making. The analyst plays a key role in budgeting, variance analysis, and performance reporting across production, inventory, and service operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in developing and maintaining annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long-range financial plans 
• Analyze financial results, including revenue, margins, and operating expenses, and explain variances to plan 
• Partner with manufacturing, supply chain, and service teams to monitor cost drivers (labor, materials, overhead) 
• Support standard cost development, cost roll-ups, and inventory valuation processes 
• Prepare monthly financial reporting packages, dashboards, and KPIs for leadership 
• Assist with pricing analysis, margin improvement initiatives, and capital investment evaluations 
• Conduct profitability analysis by product line, customer, and service offering 
• Support sales forecasting and backlog analysis specific to capital equipment and aftermarket/service revenue 
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities, providing actionable recommendations 
• Improve financial models, reporting tools, and data accuracy (ERP/BI systems) 
• Assist with month-end close activities and financial reconciliations

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field 
• 2–5+ years of FP&A, corporate finance, or accounting experience 
• Experience in the CNC machine tool, capital equipment, or industrial manufacturing industry strongly preferred 
• Strong understanding of cost accounting and manufacturing financial metrics 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar) 
• Experience with financial planning and BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Snowflake and AI-driven software platforms) preferred
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills 
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced, project-driven environment 

Key Competencies

• Financial modeling and data analysis 
• Business partnering and communication 
• Attention to detail and accuracy 
• Strategic thinking and commercial awareness 
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Travel Requirements: 

• Approximately 10% of time

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times. 
• Primarily office-based role with extended periods of sitting and computer use 
• Occasional visits to manufacturing floor requiring adherence to PPE and safety protocols 
• Ability to travel occasionally (typically <10%) to support plant operations or company meetings

Additional Information

This job description is designed to provide an overview of basic skills, experiences and education required to perform the job and is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee to perform the essential functions of the job. In instances where educational degrees are required, the company will take into consideration factors such as additional experience, training, or certifications in lieu of specific educational requirements.

Methods Machine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.