Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis

As the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis at Wayfair, you will be responsible for overseeing OPEX spend planning and reporting processes. You’ll partner with senior stakeholders to manage their compensation and outsourced labor spend and generate monthly planning, reporting, and variance analysis of actuals against targets. This includes leading a team of analysts, coordinating the quarterly forecasting process, and improving internal management reporting through automation and data visualization.

To qualify for the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis role at Wayfair, candidates should possess a bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, along with 5+ years of experience in financial planning & analysis or strategic finance. Strong analytical and organizational skills are essential, along with proficiency in SQL, Looker, or similar systems, and advanced Excel modeling skills are preferred.

The Financial Planning and Analysis team at Wayfair plays a vital role in promoting fiscal responsibility and providing financial insights that guide the direction of the company. By working closely with various departments, the team uses data to inform strategy, aid in decision-making, and ultimately help ensure the profitability and operational goals of Wayfair are met.

Wayfair seeks candidates for the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis role who demonstrate exceptional analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to model and forecast with accuracy. Effective communication and collaboration with senior leaders are crucial, as well as a proven track record in leading and developing high-performing teams within a fast-paced environment.

Wayfair offers a unique work environment that allows for rapid growth, constant learning, and dynamic challenges. As a Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis, you'll be part of a community that values innovation and the diverse perspectives of its employees. With a focus on creativity and technology, Wayfair provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while cultivating a rewarding career.

When answering this question, focus on specific instances where you've developed financial models or forecasts, discussing the tools and methods you used. Highlight any successes or challenges you've faced, and how you tackled them, to show your problem-solving skills and proficiency in this area.

Demonstrate your ability to prioritize tasks by discussing techniques you employ such as creating to-do lists or using project management software. Share examples of how you handled competing deadlines successfully and the impact of your time management on your team's productivity.

Explain your strategy for engagement, emphasizing active listening and understanding the goals of senior stakeholders. Share how you've previously tailored your communication and reporting styles to align with their expectations and the outcomes of these relationships.

Discuss your experience with automating reporting processes and how this has improved efficiency and accuracy. Mention any specific tools or software you've used to enhance data visualization and stakeholder self-service capabilities, along with the results achieved.

Provide a specific example of a project or situation where your leadership made a difference. Discuss how you motivated the team, ensured everyone had the necessary support, and facilitated professional development opportunities that led to improved performance.

Detail your approach to investigating and resolving discrepancies, such as reviewing data sources, enhancing data integrity checks, and communicating with involved parties. Share an example where you fixed a significant issue and the steps taken to prevent recurrence.

Talk about your belief in teamwork and how collaboration with various departments has enhanced your financial insights and recommendations. Provide examples where cross-functional partnerships led to improved financial performance or solutions to complex challenges.

Discuss your understanding of the key performance metrics relevant to Wayfair or similar companies. Highlight the importance of balancing revenue growth with cost management and how understanding industry trends can impact broader strategic decisions.

Identify specific tools you’ve used, such as Excel, SQL, Looker, or forecasting software. Share your level of expertise and any relevant projects where these tools made a difference in your analysis, reporting, or forecasting.

This is your opportunity to convey your passion for financial analysis and how it aligns with Wayfair’s mission. Discuss what excites you about the company, how you can contribute to its goals, and how this role fits into your career aspirations.