Jobs › Conagra Brands

Finance Director, Network Optimization

Conagra Brands · Chicago, IL · $135,000–$200,000 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about an investment analysis where your recommendation went against what the business wanted.

What they are checking: Whether they keep financial integrity under pressure and present their case clearly.

You'd lead analysts and managers. How do you develop their judgment, not just their modeling skills?

What they are checking: Whether they coach people to ask the right business questions and own their assumptions.

Tell me about a process you improved in a finance team using best practices or benchmarks.

What they are checking: Whether they drive lasting improvements, as the posting asks.

What would you do

Supply chain says a project will save 10 million dollars a year. How do you validate that?

What they are checking: Whether they trace savings to data, challenge assumptions and separate one-time from ongoing benefits.

After a network change, how would you track whether the promised savings actually happened?

What they are checking: Whether they set up post-implementation tracking and hold teams accountable for results.

How would you present a complex scenario analysis to senior supply chain leaders in one page?

What they are checking: Whether they can distill a model into the decision, key drivers and risks.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd evaluate a proposal to close one plant and consolidate production into two others.

What they are checking: Whether they capture total delivered cost, one-time costs, capital, service risk and timing in a discounted cash flow.

What goes into total delivered cost for a food manufacturer?

What they are checking: Whether they include manufacturing, freight, warehousing, co-manufacturing and inventory costs, not just plant cost.

How do you decide which sensitivities matter most in a network optimization analysis?

What they are checking: Whether they identify the few assumptions that swing the decision and test realistic ranges.

How do you choose the right methodology for a given analysis, like NPV versus payback versus IRR?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the strengths and limits of each metric and when each misleads.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Conagra Brands.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Supply Chain Finance you will develop and evaluate financial plans and policies for assigned responsibilities. You will lead efforts to promote and incorporate best practices and benchmarks to improve processes and efficiencies. You will partner with the business to provide recommendations and help ensure sound financial decisions are made. You will lead a team of analysts and managers while supporting strategic supply chain and network optimization decisions. A Taste of Your Responsibilities • Perform financial analysis and evaluation of network optimization projects, including complete cash flow and project return analysis across multiple scenarios while incorporating all aspects of total delivered cost. • Create and apply discounted cash flow models to evaluate and compare investment scenarios. • Develop and interpret sensitivity analyses appropriate to each business situation. • Own and maintain discounted cash flow models, synergy models, and other analytical tools, including determining the most appropriate methodology for each analysis. • Conduct strategic decision support and investment analysis. • Identify, validate, and gather required data to estimate ongoing savings and one-time costs. • Determine critical assumptions, ask the right business questions, and incorporate relevant inputs into financial evaluations. • Partner with Supply Chain Finance, Network Modeling, Mergers & Acquisitions, Brand Finance, Manufacturing Operations, Co-Manufacturing, Warehousing, Engineering, Sales and Operations Planning, Procurement, Transportation, and Project Management teams. • Assess manufacturing overhead impacts, production throughput, staffing requirements, wage and utility rates, capital investments, avoided capital spending, delivered materials, tax incentives, working capital impacts, transportation and warehousing impacts, and accounting implications. • Support the supply chain productivity agenda through financial evaluation, savings validation, performance tracking, forecasting, and reporting of productivity initiatives and results. • Build effective working relationships across all organizational levels, from analysts to executive leadership. • Train and mentor others on the use of advanced financial modeling tools and methodologies. • Track and forecast project performance and develop reporting for leadership teams. • Lead, coach, and develop a team while supporting their professional growth and career development. Ingredients Required for Your Success • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field • Master of Business Administration and/or Certified Public Accountant designation preferred. • 10+ years of financial experience with strong preference for supply chain finance experience. • Demonstrated success working independently in a fast-paced environment. • Experience navigating ambiguity, organizational change, and evolving business priorities. • Strong understandng of financial systems, general accounting concepts, and cost accounting principles. • Demonstrated critical thinking skills and experience leveraging analytics, benchmarking, and insights to develop business strategies and solutions. • Experience partnering across multiple functional areas to complete projects and solve business challenges. • Background in profit and loss management and knowledge of financial and operating systems preferred. • Proven success building strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and maintaining effective working relationships. • Experience communicating actionable, forward-looking financial insights, business impacts, and potential risks to business partners. • Cross-functional business experience preferred. • Experience with SAP or similar enterprise software platforms preferred. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SharePoint. Number of Days in Office: 3 #LI-GS1 #LI-Hybrid #LI-Director Compensation Pay Range:$135,000-$200,000 The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees. Our Benefits We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role: • Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement • Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan • Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement • Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities Our Company At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome. Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.

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