Senior Financial Analyst

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Financial Analyst is a key contributor to Portillo’s finance team, responsible for delivering the analysis, insight, and financial rigor that drive confident decision-making across the organization. This role owns plays a critical role in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and performance analysis, and partners directly with senior leaders to translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations that support Portillo’s growth strategy. The ideal candidate combines strong financial modeling and analytical skills with intellectual curiosity, sound business judgement, and communication skills to influence decisions at every level of the organization.

• This is a hybrid position based at the Portillo’s Restaurant Support Center in Oakbrook, Illinois with on-site presence required Monday through Thursday.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Enable our Purpose to create lifelong memories by igniting the senses with unrivaled food and experiences:

Family: Work together to make everyone feel at home, and we step up when someone needs help

Greatness: We’re obsessed with being the best and work hard to continuously improve. Our greatness is rooted in Quality, Service, Attitude and Cleanliness

• Energy: We move with urgency and passion, while maintaining attention to detail
• Fun: We entertain our guests, we connect authentically, and we make each other smile

Prepare and analyze financial statements, monthly performance reports, and ad-hoc analyses to support the business's financial goals

Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial metrics, providing insights into trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement

Pull data from multiple sources and develop analyses that lead to clear conclusions and hypotheses regarding root causes and trends

Partner with senior leadership and department leadership to evaluate operational performance and recommend corrective actions and business improvements

Lead components of the annual budgeting process, working closely with department leaders to gather data and align financial goals

Develop and maintain financial forecasts to track performance against budgeted targets, adjusting projections based on changes in business conditions or operational needs

Analyze variances between actuals and plan, translating findings into actionable insights and recommendations for management

Build and maintain complex financial models to support strategic initiatives, such as new restaurant openings, pricing strategies, and expansion opportunities

Provide financial analysis for decision-making related to capital expenditures, cost management, and pricing strategies

Participate in special projects requiring financial analysis, modeling, and executive reporting

• Lead cross-functional initiatives from analysis through implementation
• Create executive-level presentations and materials for senior leadership and the Board

Identify and drive opportunities to improve financial reporting processes, tools, and systems, increasing efficiency and accuracy across the FP&A function

Maintain a strong understanding of restaurant industry trends and competitive dynamics to inform financial planning and strategic recommendations

Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of all financial deliverables, maintaining strong financial controls throughout the reporting process

Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Educational Level/Certifications
• Bachelor Degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA or MBA preferred

Work Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Minimum of 3-5 years of financial analysis or FP&A experience; retail and/or hospitality experience preferred

Demonstrated experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and variance analysis

Solid understanding of financial accounting, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and their application to business operations

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, and financial modeling

Experience with ERP and financial planning systems; Oracle EPM experience preferred

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a natural curiosity to understand business performance drivers

Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, and interpret company, industry, and market data

Strong business acumen with the ability to translate financial results into actionable recommendations

Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to distill complex data into clear, concise insights

Comfortable presenting financial findings and recommendations to senior leaders and cross-functional partners

Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment

High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy

Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify process enhancements to improve efficiency

Comfortable navigating ambiguity, taking initiative, and asking thoughtful questions to move work forward

Self-motivated with a high degree of ownership, accountability, and commitment to continuous learning

Collaborative team player who builds strong cross-functional relationships while working independently with minimal supervision

Hot dog! The pay range for this role is $85,000.00 - $105,000.00 salary. Your actual compensation will depend on experience, location, and/or additional skills you bring to the table.

This position is also served with

Participation in a discretionary bonus program based on company and individual performance, among other ingredients

A monthly technology reimbursement

Quarterly Portillo's Gift Cards

A bun-believable benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance along with paid time off, life insurance, and our 401(k) plan with a company match

Learn more about our benefits here

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required. The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned. This job may be reviewed as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.