Okay, I've searched for Lead Financial Analyst roles in the Greater Chicago Area within the manufacturing industry, requiring 7+ years of experience, full-time schedule, and proficiency in SAP. I have found 72 positions matching your criteria.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Lead Financial Analyst role at Fortune Brands Innovations (FBIN) is fundamentally centered on driving financial clarity and operational excellence within the Supply Chain function across multiple business units. This position requires ownership of comprehensive financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis tied to $100M+ in period costs, demanding precision, timeliness, and strategic partnership with supply chain leadership and corporate finance teams. The role goes beyond number-crunching; it requires effective communication and collaboration across diverse internal partners including commercial finance, indirect sourcing, and FP&A, indicating a multifaceted stakeholder management challenge. Candidates must be adept at working in dynamic, sometimes ambiguous environments, indicative of evolving supply chain complexities and global operational standards. Success comes from not only delivering accurate financial insights but also identifying risks, opportunities, and process improvements that inform strategic decisions and drive efficiency. Strong technical skills in financial systems (SAP, Oracle), reporting tools (Qlikview), and advanced MS Office proficiency underpin this work, enabling robust data consolidation and modeling. On the softer side, the role demands strategic thinking, adaptability, and the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business decisions, reflecting its critical influence on annual budgets, headcount planning, and operational cost management. Ultimately, the ideal candidate acts as a linchpin connecting financial data to broader business outcomes within a high-volume, operationally complex, and fast-paced supply chain environment.

Company Analysis:

Fortune Brands Innovations is a respected leader in the home products and security market, blending heritage brands with a strong innovation-driven culture that emphasizes improving lives through smarter, safer, and aesthetically pleasing solutions. As a publicly traded company with diverse and iconic brands like Moen and Master Lock, FBIN operates at a scale that demands both operational rigor and strategic agility. Their commitment to inclusivity, employee empowerment, and bold decision-making suggests a fast-paced, mission-oriented environment valuing diverse perspectives and continuous improvement. This culture favors individuals who are self-starters, adaptable, and collaborative, which directly aligns with the Lead Financial Analyst role’s need for cross-functional coordination and strategic influence. Given the portfolio's complexity, this position likely interfaces with a broad spectrum of teams, enhancing visibility and impact within the organization. The company’s focus on innovation and transformation indicates that this role is less about maintaining the status quo and more about enabling scalable, forward-thinking financial practices that support growth and efficiency across multiple business units. Candidates who appreciate a purpose-driven, inclusive corporate ethos and can navigate the dynamic intersection of finance, operations, and supply chain will find a fertile ground for professional growth and meaningful contribution here.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to manage financial reporting and forecasting across multiple business units simultaneously. How did you ensure accuracy and timeliness?
• Behavioral: Describe an instance when you identified a process inefficiency in financial operations. What approach did you take to implement improvements?
• Behavioral: Share a situation where you had to work with cross-functional teams to resolve a financial discrepancy or variance. How did you handle collaboration and communication?
• Behavioral: Talk about a time when you had to adapt to ambiguity in your role. How did you prioritize tasks and maintain focus?
• Technical: How do you approach the consolidation of complex period cost data from multiple sources into meaningful financial reports?
• Technical: Explain your experience with financial forecasting and budgeting within operational environments, particularly related to supply chain costs.
• Technical: Describe your proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle and how you've leveraged these tools for financial analysis and reporting.
• Technical: How would you build a financial model to support decision-making for an indirect sourcing team? What key factors would you include?
• Situational: Imagine the supply chain leadership provides last-minute changes to cost forecasts shortly before a key monthly business review. How would you manage this situation?
• Situational: You notice a recurring variance in period costs that leadership has not highlighted. How do you bring this to their attention and recommend corrective actions?
• Situational: If you were tasked with developing a headcount plan to support salary and benefits budgeting under tight deadlines, how would you organize and execute this?
• Company Fit: What attracts you to Fortune Brands Innovations and how do you see your career aligning with our purpose of transforming spaces into havens?
• Company Fit: Our culture values bold decision-making and inclusion. Can you share how you have demonstrated these qualities in your professional experience?
• Company Fit: How do you see the role of financial analysis evolving in an innovation-focused, consumer product company like FBIN?
• Candidate Questions: Can you describe how the Lead Financial Analyst role collaborates with other finance and operational teams on a day-to-day basis?
• Candidate Questions: What are the biggest challenges the Supply Chain finance team is currently facing, and what would you hope the new analyst would contribute to addressing them?
• Candidate Questions: How does FBIN foster professional development and continuous learning for finance professionals within the company?