Financial Analyst, Operations

Hayward Holdings Inc. (NYSE "HAYW") is the largest manufacturer of residential swimming pool equipment in the world, with a significant presence in the commercial pool market that is continuously growing. Hayward designs, manufactures, and markets a full line of residential and commercial pool and spa equipment including pumps, filters, heating, cleaners, salt chlorinators, automation, lighting, safety, flow control and energy solutions at our company owned facilities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hayward also has facilities in Tennessee, Arizona, and Rhode Island as well as Canada, Spain, France, Australia, and China. 

Position Summary

Hayward is seeking a proactive and analytical Financial Analyst – Operations Finance to support our North American manufacturing operations. This role is central to maintaining the integrity of product costing, inventory valuation, and ERP system configuration while partnering closely with production, supply chain, engineering, and operations teams to understand cost drivers, monitor manufacturing performance, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment and experience working with ERP systems. This individual will collaborate across Finance, Operations, and IT to support standardized processes and provide meaningful financial insights that drive operational excellence. Reporting to the NAM ISC Finance Leader, this position is a key member of the North American Operations Finance team.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze standard cost structures for raw materials, work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods within the ERP system.
• Perform cost roll-ups and updates in alignment with bills of materials (BOMs), routings, and manufacturing resources.
• Analyze manufacturing variances, including labor, overhead efficiency, and absorption.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to evaluate the financial impact of product design changes, process improvements, sourcing decisions, and post-mortem reviews.
• Monitor and maintain ERP data integrity related to inventory, production orders, routings, and cost centers.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to cost accounting processes and system integration.
• Participate in ERP upgrades, enhancements, and implementations, including cost accounting configuration, validation, and testing.
• Prepare and present cost, margin, inventory, and operational analyses to finance and business leadership.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes, including standard costs, inventory valuation, and cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Perform margin analysis and provide financial support for pricing initiatives.
• Support internal and external audit activities, including SOX compliance and documentation.
• Assist plant leadership with operational and cross-functional improvement projects as needed.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.

Experience

• 3+ years of cost accounting or manufacturing finance experience.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting principles and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with ERP systems, preferably Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Experience with Power BI or other business intelligence tools is preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyze and interpret large data sets.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinker with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• System-savvy with a mindset for automation and continuous process improvement.
• Data-driven, curious, and willing to challenge existing processes to improve efficiency.
• Comfortable partnering with cross-functional teams across Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and IT.

Technical Skills

Experience with the following is preferred:

• Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Power BI
• Microsoft Office Suite
• AS/400 and Sequel (preferred)