Finance Process Strategy Manager

At Knife River, we take care of our team because we know it's our people who make us successful. We are one of the 10 largest construction materials producers/contractors in the Country, and we are a PEOPLE-first company. Our team members are the key to our success, and we are committed to giving them the tools, training, and time to do their jobs productively and safely each day. Our goal is to build strong teams that, in turn, build strong communities. We are also a publicly traded company on the NYSE with the ticker symbol KNF and part of the S&P MidCap 400 index.

The Manager, Finance Process & Strategy supports and executes initiatives to improve the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of finance and accounting operations-with a primary focus on executing the company's Finance Modernization initiative. This role manages key workstreams within the transformation roadmap, facilitates process standardization and automation, and collaborates cross-functionally to deliver measurable, sustainable improvements.

This position is based out of a current Knife River location, ideally our headquarters in Bismarck, ND, with hybrid work opportunities available.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field
• 5-8 years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, or finance transformation
• Strong knowledge of financial close processes, accounting systems, and internal controls
• Proven experience leading process improvement or transformation initiatives

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience with ERP systems, close management and reconciliation tools (e.g., JDE, BlackLine)
• Public accounting or consulting background
• Experience in construction materials, manufacturing, or similar industries

Duties and/or Responsibilities:

• Core Ownership:
  
  
  
  • Manage
  • and execute assigned Finance Modernization workstreams, ensuring milestones are met on time and within scope
  • Identify and eliminate non-value-added (NVA) activities to reduce close cycle time
  • Coordinate with finance teams to develop the close calendar, task-level timelines, and accountability frameworks
  • Track and report workstream progress against the finance modernization roadmap
  • Coordinate with finance teams and shared services to align close activities
  • Support the adoption of pre-close disciplines (e.g., soft close, rolling accruals, real-time reconciliations)
  
  
  
  
• Process Improvement and Standardization:
  
  
  
  • Support the redesign of core finance processes (Record-to-Report (Financial Close), Procure-to-Pay (AP), Order-to-Cash (AR)) under the direction of senior leadership
  • Standardize processes across regions/business units to eliminate variation
  • Benchmark against peer companies and industry best practices
  • Document and train on standardized processes
  
  
  
  
• Strategic Planning and Roadmap:
  
  
  
  • Support the development and maintenance of the process transformation roadmap in partnership with senior leadership.
  • Prepare business cases, ROI analyses, and executive presentations for transformation initiatives
  • Support enterprise strategic projects impacting finance operations
  
  
  
  
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  
  
  • Collaborate with Accounting, FP&A, IT, Audit, Payroll, and Operations
  • Facilitate Finance Modernization working sessions with finance teams, operations and process owners
  • Manage competing priorities across enhancement requests and new implementations
  
  
  
  
• Change Management & Adoption:
  
  
  
  • Assist in developing change management plans for process improvements and standardization
  • Collaborate with Accounting to ensure training programs support process improvements and standardization
  • Monitor adoption metrics and flag resistance proactively
  • Gather and synthesize user feedback to inform future enhancements and roadmap priorities
  • Promote a culture of continuous process improvement
  
  
  
  
• Governance & Controls:
  
  
  
  • Coordinate with accounting to ensure redesigned processes maintain strong internal controls and SOX compliance
  • Collaborate with Internal Audit on control design and documentation for processes
  • Support audit readiness within the compressed close timeline
  
  
  
  
• Metrics & Reporting:
  
  
  
  • Maintain and update the Finance Modernization KPI dashboard
  • Report workstream progress to the leadership team on a regular cadence
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Close acceleration mindset - relentless focus on reducing cycle time
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Ability to influence cross-functionally without direct authority
• Analytical and problem-solving orientation
• Change management and adoption leadership
• Clear and effective communication at all levels

How To Apply:
Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal law.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background checks.

If unable to apply online, please mail completed application to:
Knife River Corporation
Box 5568
Bismarck, ND 58506