Jennifer Spray
St. Louis
Summary
A self-motivated, goal-oriented professional. Thrive in dynamic, fast-paced business environment, with the ability to effectively handle multiple projects and responsibilities. Effective team player with a critical eye and the ability to make sound decisions with minimal supervision. Proven leadership abilities to drive change and develop team members.
Finance professional with track record of driving financial strategies and optimizing budgets. Expertise in financial analysis, forecasting, and risk management. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, adaptable to changing needs. Known for reliability, integrity, and effective communication skills.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager of Merchandise Finance
Pet Supermarket Inc.
02.2024 - Current
- Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones and deliver high-quality results.
- Collaborated closely with peers from other departments to drive organizational success jointly as one cohesive unit.
- Managed large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
- Achieved operational excellence by streamlining processes and implementing best practices.
- Demonstrated exceptional adaptability in navigating complex situations or rapidly changing environments with ease.
- Reviewed and analyzed reports, records and directives to obtain data required for planning department activities.
- Led market analysis efforts to identify emerging trends, informing strategic decision-making and future investments.
Manager of Finance – Merchandising FP&A
Save A Lot Food Stores
12.2019 - 02.2024
- Created and Implemented margin calculator for team of analysts that improved daily reporting times by 2 plus hours.
- Developed and administered annual bottoms up budgets to corporate finance teams for improved forecasting accuracy.
- Created weekly marketing reporting for business partners that included basket data, margin and sales performance.
- Developed training program for on-boarding analysts in both merchandising and finance.
- Developed KPI dashboards for weekly, monthly and quarterly reporting.
Manager of Finance - Meat and Produce Merchandising
Save A Lot Food Stores
04.2019 - 12.2019
- Identified cost and retail opportunities which resulted in over $300K in additional margin for Q4 2019 through new analytical processes.
- Developed daily margin reporting tool through automation to eliminate manual work and improve accuracy.
- Implemented weekly business review with Vice President of Merchandising to present financial overviews.
- Work directly with Chief Commercial Officer on business strategies to drive topline sales and margin rate.
- Created financial weekly reconciliation process resulting in a proactive approach to identify margin and sales issues before close of weekly results.
Manager of Finance - Meat Merchandising
Save A Lot Food Stores
10.2018 - 04.2019
- Lead ground up creation of merchandising finance team; including team structure, processes and system requirements.
- Implemented line item forecast tool for business partners to develop KPI reporting; resulted in forecast accuracy improvement of 3%.
- Worked directly with marketing to establish a marketing strategy to improve traffic and market share.
North America Commercial SG&A and Capital Analyst
Monsanto Company
06.2017 - 10.2018
- Created monthly and quarterly management reporting processes to consolidate income statement reporting for 3 regions.
- Lead efforts during integration of Bayer SG&A into Monsanto SG&A.
- Partnered with HR to create a more robust monthly headcount report; identified headcount KPIs for more accurate labor reconciliation.
US Commercial SG&A/Capital Analyst
Monsanto Company
06.2015 - 06.2017
- Improved accuracy to end fiscal year within 1% of target versus 5% in prior years.
- Worked with 30+ managers and 6 leadership teams to support and provide guidance regarding use of funds to deliver business results.
- Implemented cost center system driving a reduction in forecast time by over 50.
Operating Cash Flow Lead -US Commercial
Monsanto Company
02.2014 - 06.2015
- Responsible for corporate consolidations of total US Commercial operating cash flow.
- Identified needs for structure change and transitioned the team to implement a structure that eliminated work bottlenecks.
Financial Forecasting and Planning Lead
Monsanto Company
05.2013 - 02.2014
- Consolidated monthly, quarterly and annual cash forecasts for US businesses.
- Posted, analyzed and reviewed balance sheet entries for prepaid and marketing program accruals.
- Prepared and presented annual balance sheet review of cash flow to Controller and External Reporting Lead.
Senior Financial Analyst
Monsanto Company
01.2012 - 05.2013
- Streamlined the close process to reduce non-value added work.
- Identified analytical opportunities regarding factored receivables with partner Bank to allow for more accurate cash flow forecasting.
- Improved accuracy of fourth quarter collections forecast by 5% from prior year.
- Key participant in a Global Forecasting Project.
- Automated process that improved timeline allowing for 2 hours of additional time each month for leadership to review final financials.
Accounting Services Supervisor
Monsanto Company
05.2010 - 12.2011
- Improved Marketing Program accrual process by automating and decreasing work over eight hours during monthly close.
- Received Controllership Award for Fiscal Year 2011 for on time reporting, limited restatements and accuracy .
- Reduced cost centers by over twenty percent.
International Intercompany Lead
Monsanto Company
03.2008 - 05.2010
- Created lead role to improve international accounting support .
- Managed a team of 6 accountants responsible for global intercompany business transaction postings and reconciliations.
- Reconciled accounts reducing unreconciled balances from $1M to $10K.
- Successfully worked to bring 9 acquired businesses onto SAP platform.
Intercompany Analyst
Monsanto Company
11.2006 - 03.2008
- Developed monthly reporting process for cross country teams to deliver monthly business results to senior leadership.
- Performed system analysis, documentation, testing, implementation and user support for platform transitions.
IT Policy Steward
Monsanto Company
08.2004 - 11.2006
- Managed offshore IT Projects including financial targets, project deadlines and SG&A compliance.
- Accepted opportunities to learn new skills, improve performance and cross-train for other positions.
Education
Masters - Business Administration, Finance
Webster University
St Louis, MOBachelors of Science - Business Administration, Finance
University of Missouri - St Louis
St Louis, MOSkills
- Financial analysis
- Written and interpersonal communication
- Process implementation
- Data trending
- KPI management
- Coaching and training
- Strategic and financial planning
- Budget forecasting
System Experience
- Tableau
- Power BI
- Hyperion
- SAP
Timeline
Senior Manager of Merchandise Finance
Pet Supermarket Inc.
02.2024 - Current
Manager of Finance – Merchandising FP&A
Save A Lot Food Stores
12.2019 - 02.2024
Manager of Finance - Meat and Produce Merchandising
Save A Lot Food Stores
04.2019 - 12.2019
Manager of Finance - Meat Merchandising
Save A Lot Food Stores
10.2018 - 04.2019
North America Commercial SG&A and Capital Analyst
Monsanto Company
06.2017 - 10.2018
US Commercial SG&A/Capital Analyst
Monsanto Company
06.2015 - 06.2017
Operating Cash Flow Lead -US Commercial
Monsanto Company
02.2014 - 06.2015
Financial Forecasting and Planning Lead
Monsanto Company
05.2013 - 02.2014
Senior Financial Analyst
Monsanto Company
01.2012 - 05.2013
Accounting Services Supervisor
Monsanto Company
05.2010 - 12.2011
International Intercompany Lead
Monsanto Company
03.2008 - 05.2010
Intercompany Analyst
Monsanto Company
11.2006 - 03.2008
IT Policy Steward
Monsanto Company
08.2004 - 11.2006
Masters - Business Administration, Finance
Webster University
Bachelors of Science - Business Administration, Finance
University of Missouri - St Louis
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