Job Summary
We are looking for a skilled Business Analyst to design, develop, and implement a robust mechanism for tracking and analyzing the financial performance of our work orders throughout their entire lifecycle. This critical role will focus on creating end-to-end visibility from the initial quotation stage through to final order closing, ensuring accurate costing, optimal margin realization, and controlled consumption and spending.
The ideal candidate will be a bridge between our Finance, Operations, and Sales teams, using data to provide actionable insights that drive profitability and operational efficiency.
Required Qualifications & Experience
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Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
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Proven experience (3-5 years) as a Business Analyst, Cost Analyst, or Financial Analyst in a project-based or manufacturing environment.
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Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing costing, margin analysis, or financial tracking frameworks.
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Strong proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools and advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, complex formulas, Power Query).
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Solid understanding of ERP systems and their project accounting/costing modules.
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Excellent understanding of financial concepts: standard costing, variance analysis, gross margin, and overhead allocation.
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience in Electrical System Manufacturing, (e.g., custom manufacturing, system integration, professional services).
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Certification such as CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional), PMI-PBA, or similar.
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Knowledge of ERP/SQL for data extraction and manipulation.
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Experience with process mapping and improvement methodologies (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma).
Key Competencies & Personal Attributes
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Analytical Mindset: Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex data and translate it into clear, actionable insights.
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Process-Oriented: A natural inclination to create structure, standardize processes, and implement systematic solutions.
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Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy.
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Proactive & Inquisitive: Doesn't just report the numbers; actively seeks to understand the "why" behind the trends.
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Influential Communicator: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present financial information effectively to non-financial stakeholders.
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Collaborative Team Player: Ability to build strong relationships and work effectively across different departments.
Job Responsibilities
1. Mechanism Design & Development:
Design and document the end-to-end process for tracking work order financials (costing, margins, consumptions, spending).
Develop standardized reporting templates, dashboards, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor performance at each stage of the work order lifecycle.
Identify and map data sources from various systems (ERP, CRM, time-tracking, procurement) to create a single source of truth.
Propose and implement automated data collection and validation processes to ensure data integrity.
2. Data Analysis & Insight Generation:
Conduct deep-dive analysis to compare quoted costs and margins against actuals, identifying and investigating variances.
Analyze consumption rates (materials, labor hours) and spending patterns to identify trends, inefficiencies, and areas for cost savings.
Perform root cause analysis on margin erosion, providing clear explanations for deviations.
Develop predictive models to forecast final margins and flag "at-risk" work orders proactively.
3. Process Improvement & Stakeholder Management:
Collaborate with the Sales and Quotations team to ensure cost estimates are accurate and reflective of current operational realities.
Work with Project Managers and Operations teams to understand consumption variances and implement corrective actions.
Partner with the Finance department to ensure the mechanism aligns with general ledger accounts and financial reporting requirements.
Facilitate regular review meetings with stakeholders to present findings, insights, and recommendations.
4. System & Tool Enhancement:
Act as a key user for the company's ERP system (e.g., SAP, Microsoft Dynamics) regarding work order and project accounting modules.
Identify and recommend system enhancements or new tools to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the costing mechanism.
Lead or contribute to the implementation of relevant business intelligence (BI) tools.