Strategic Procurement Analyst

Job Description

The Financial Services Department (F$D) is looking for a motivated individual to join the Planning and Analysis group.  As a team, the Planning and Analysis group maintains, redefines, develops, and prepares meaningful financial reports, dashboards, and metrics for management decision making.  The group identifies and implements financial planning and reporting processes, systems, and reporting tools, all the while coordinating with the Laboratory business community and MIT campus on budgeting and forecasting issues.

Reporting to and working with the Senior Financial Manager, Planning and Analysis, the Cost Analyst, Planning and Analysis will play a hands-on role in expanding the group’s financial analysis and cost analysis capabilities.  The role will take the lead in auditing our expenses and finding ways to make our operations more cost-efficient.  The Cost Analyst will be the point person for cost analysis, preparing recommendations to management and helping the Laboratory drive efficiencies.  To do this job well, we’d like this individual to be well-versed in data and financial analysis and have strong attention to detail.  Ultimately, the Cost Analyst – Planning and Analysis will be an integral part of our efforts to ensure maximum efficiencies and business success. 

Duties and Responsibilites

• Gather and analyze financial data
• Prepare detailed reports, both periodically and ad-hoc
• Work with the Sr. Manager Planning & Analysis in all Laboratory matters pertaining to  budgeting/planning/forecasting
• Help management make important decisions based on costs and benefits (e.g. investments, market growth, inflationary impacts, pricing changes)
• Conduct audits on financial processes and transactions; Monitor changes in processes or methods to calculate effects on overall costs
• Examine data to help with reducing costs in all operations.
• Contribute to developing yearly operation plans, budgets, and estimating new product costs, including economic analysis.
• Suggest cost-reducing or efficiency enhancing solutions

Requirements

• 5-10 years proven work experience as a financial analyst & cost analyst, procurement, cost specialist or similar cost role
• Experience in data, operational and financial analysis
• Knowledge of accounting processes and software
• Demonstrated analytical/problem solving skills and effective written and oral communication skills (including presentations)  
• Excellent customer service, verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to analyze, discuss and present financial results/reports
• Able to work independently, problem solve and drive positive change within an organization
• Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance
• Proficient in MS Office (primarily Excel, Word & PowerPoint); Experience with SAP S/4 a plus
• Bachelor’s degree is required (Degree in Finance, Accounting or similar field)