Supply Chain Financial Planner- Transportation

About the Team

The Supply Chain team focuses on keeping things moving across all aspects of our business. They make an impact by ensuring our products get from the vendors to the DCs to the stores in the most efficient and timely way. Their goal is to improve each step within the process, so we have the right product at the right place at the right time for our pet parents.

Collaborative Work Environment: At Pet Smart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

We are currently seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Supply Chain Financial Planner – Transportation to join our team. This entry-level role will support financial planning, reporting, and analysis for transportation operations, helping to provide insights into cost drivers and overall supply chain performance.

The ideal candidate will have a foundational understanding of finance and supply chain concepts, strong analytical skills, and a willingness to learn transportation cost structures and planning processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Planning:

• Support the development and maintenance of transportation financial plans by gathering, organizing, and analyzing data related to freight spend and operational performance
• Assist in tracking key transportation cost drivers, including:
  • Shipment volume (units, cube, mix)
  • Rates (fuel, linehaul, accessorials)
  • Operational metrics (utilization, miles per shipment)
• Partner with team members to ensure financial data aligns with operational assumptions and planning inputs

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Assist in the preparation of transportation budgets and forecasts by compiling data and updating planning models
• Help monitor actual performance against budget and forecast, identifying and flagging variances for further analysis
• Support scenario analysis efforts (e.g., fuel changes, volume shifts) by updating inputs and validating outputs

Cost Analysis and Optimization:

• Perform basic analysis of transportation costs to identify trends and potential areas for improvement
• Support ongoing cost-saving initiatives by tracking performance against expectations and maintaining documentation of results
• Assist with reviewing key expense categories such as fuel, linehaul, and accessorial charges for accuracy and trends

Financial Reporting:

• Prepare recurring transportation financial reports, including:
  • Weekly and monthly performance summaries
  • Variance analysis (Plan vs. Actual vs. Forecast)
• Ensure data accuracy and consistency across reports, helping reconcile differences between operational and financial data sources
• Support the team in building clear and organized reporting to highlight key insights

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work collaboratively with transportation, supply chain, and finance teams to gather data and support analysis
• Communicate findings clearly to team members, escalating issues or discrepancies as needed
• Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to streamline reporting and data processes

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in financial planning and analysis, preferably within the supply chain, logistics, or manufacturing industry.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in financial modeling and data analysis tools.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey financial information to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented and proactive mindset, with a focus on continuous improvement.

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in…