Job Opportunity: Data Specialist at Great Lakes Cheese

Great Lakes Cheese is seeking a skilled Data Specialist to join our team. This role is integral to understanding and analyzing the company's financial and operational data, providing insightful analysis and reporting to stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with all company levels to coordinate, analyze, prepare, and present data to ensure profitability, including routine and special project analysis.
• Identify and develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and user-friendly reports that communicate their relevance.
• Utilize data science and business optimization to pinpoint inefficiencies and enhance profitability.
• Conduct comprehensive analysis to maximize financial and operational performance using predictive, diagnostic, descriptive, and prescriptive analytics.
• Acquire and maintain data from primary and secondary sources in collaboration with IT and the Master Data Group.
• Interpret data to identify trends and patterns; effectively communicate these patterns.
• Prepare weekly and monthly volume reports for management.
• Work with the BI-IT team to ensure timely and accurate dashboards.
• Prepare weekly operations reports and analyze data for KPIs, including production, shipping volume, efficiencies, trim, giveaway, and labor hours across all facilities by work center.
• Identify KPI outliers, determine root causes of variances, and communicate findings to senior leadership.
• Perform monthly analysis of Maintenance & Repair (MRO) spending and inventory on hand quantities.
• Prepare and analyze monthly Cost Center reports in both dollars and ratios for all facilities, year over year and against recent history. Understand the multiple cost centers and General Ledger accounting.
• Review production and consumption of customer-owned cheese weekly and address any discrepancies.
• Support various departments (e.g., Operations, Procurement) with in-depth analysis.
• Provide other ad hoc reporting and analyses as necessary to support the organization.
• Adhere to stated safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure product quality and value expectations of customers and consumers are met by adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices, Policies, and Procedures outlined in our Safe Quality Food Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the manager.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• General understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of business analyst or cost accounting experience in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience with SAP.
• Ability to make sound, independent decisions based on management expertise and experience.
• Capability to handle multiple tasks, troubleshoot, and solve problems.

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an office setting.
• Occasional exposure to industrial operations including temperature extremes from approximately 35ºF to 100ºF, noise levels exceeding 85 dB, moisture, and moving machinery.

EEOC & Disclaimer

Great Lakes Cheese is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.

Join our team at Great Lakes Cheese and make a difference as a Data Specialist!