About Wakefern
Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, and Morton Williams banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices.
About You
This position is responsible for leading multiple finance and accounting functions supporting Wakefern Food Corporation, its subsidiaries, and participating member organizations. The role provides strategic leadership for accounting operations, tax compliance, financial reporting, fixed assets, treasury-related support, process improvement, and finance transformation initiatives.
This position partners closely with Finance Leadership, Member stakeholders, Operations, IT, and external advisors to ensure accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and continuous process improvement.
Essential Functions
Shared Services Operations
- Lead accounting and financial operations member business units.
- Ensure accurate and timely month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
- Maintain adherence to GAAP, company policies, and internal control requirements.
- Support onboarding new members and integration of financial processes.
- Develop service level expectations and performance metrics.
- Drive standardization and continuous improvement across processes.
- Present financial information and recommendations to senior executives and members.
Tax & Compliance
- Oversee sales and use, property & litter tax compliance activities for members & coordinate tax audits, inquiries, and remediation activities.
- Oversee corporate tax provision (ASC 740), 263A, 1099 Information Reporting for Wakefern Food Corp.
- Review tax deliverables prepared by third party accountants for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with company objectives.
- Facilitate communication between internal stakeholders and tax advisors to ensure timely resolution of tax matters, audit inquiries, and technical accounting issues.
- Monitor tax legislation changes and assess business impacts.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting required. CPA or equivalent preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in Accounting, Finance, Tax, Shared Services, or related disciplines.
- Minimum 5+ years of leadership experience supervising and developing professional staff, including accountants, analysts, and cross-functional teams.
- Ability to multi-task and meet constant stream of deadlines with accuracy & attention to detail.
- Superior analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrate ability to work independently or as a team player.
- Excellent verbal, written communication and customer service skills.
Additional experience considered a plus
- Oracle Financials & SAP
- Cognos reporting software
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $95,000 to $130,000 annually. Placement in the range depends on several factors, including experience, skills, education, geography, and budget considerations.
Wakefern is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional development of our Associates. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with company match & annual company contribution, paid time off, holidays, and parental leave. Associates also enjoy access to wellness and family support programs, fitness reimbursement, educational and training opportunities through our corporate university, and a collaborative, team-oriented work environment. Many of these benefits are fully or partially funded by the company, with some subject to eligibility requirements.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
- Ability to work a varied, flexible schedule to meet business demands
- Ability to monitor computer screens for extended periods of time
- Ability to work a hybrid schedule as established by the division (4 days on-site, 1 day remote)
Core Competencies
- Communicate Effectively: Communicates thoughts and ideas in a well-organized manner, encouraging two-way communication.
- Build Relationships: Creates cross-functional partnerships through the development and maintenance of constructive and cooperative relationships.
- Stay Competitive: Demonstrates a mindset of continuous improvement while exhibiting passion and enthusiasm for their work.
- Embrace Change: Looks for new ways of working by supporting advancements in processes and technology.
- Develop You: Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for personal and professional career growth.
- Drive for Results: Supports divisional and strategic objectives through achievement of work goals.
- Think Strategically: Create a compelling vision, develop a strategy and empower others to achieve it.
- Influence Others: The ability to effectively collaborate, inspire, persuade and align others.
- Drive Organizational Change: Create the vision and drive the momentum for change.
- Talent Planning: Build organizational and Associate capability to achieve business goals.
- Take Accountability: Drive a culture of ownership throughout the organization.
- Inclusive Leadership: Role model inclusive leadership to leverage diverse points of view, and foster an environment of inclusion and belonging.
