Financial Analysis Director

Benson Hill empowers innovators to develop more healthy, tasty and sustainable food by unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants. Benson Hill’s CropOS™ platform combines machine learning and big data with breeding techniques and plant biology to drastically accelerate and simplify the product development process. This platform allows for cost-effective and more efficient ways for companies to analyze and make improvements in plant genetics. Benson Hill brings a unique and holistic approach to our product and platform development, as we span a broader workflow involving trait and seed development, genome editing, and breeding all the way to creating better ingredients and varieties that tap a strong consumer demand for more flavorful and nutritious fruits and vegetables. More information can be found online at www.bensonhill.com. Follow us on Twitter at @BensonHillInc.
OUR PURPOSE AND CORE VALUES
Our Core Values are a set of common principles we share that are fundamental to our company’s identity.
- BE BOLD! We redefine boundaries by providing new solutions to difficult problems. Together we are driven to transform the future and will not allow the fear of failure to prevent us from innovating. We voice our opinions, embrace change, and challenge each other to think creatively.
- BE INSPIRED! We redefine boundaries by providing new solutions to difficult problems. Together we are driven to transform the future and will not allow the fear of failure to prevent us from innovating. We voice our opinions, embrace change, and challenge each other to think creatively.
- BE REAL! We understand who we are, what we want to achieve, and what it takes to get there. We hold each other accountable through timely, candid, and well-intentioned feedback. Together we engage in honest communication and healthy debate that leads to success through true alignment.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The Research and Development Department is responsible for the development of technology platforms and products designed to support the future growth, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability of the company. As part of its platform development efforts, R&D conducts a wide range of research activities, namely in the areas of trait discovery and validation, crop genetic engineering, crop transformation, molecular detection, biochemical assays, plant growth, and molecular breeding, to name a few. These activities are aimed at developing new capabilities in crop research, the outcome of which is then leveraged to create new product development opportunities and shorten the time to market. The department leverages its platform capabilities and extensive knowhow in biology and crop science, along with the computational expertise housed within the Data Science & Platform Engineering, as well as the market insights of the Business Development and Commercial teams to design new seed genetics that create improved ingredients. These ingredients offer tangible benefits to consumers, specifically in the areas of sustainability, affordability, health and nutrition.
POSITION SUMMARY
Imagine and create the set of value models that drive the most important Product and Platform Development innovation investments for Benson Hill. 
YOU WILL:
(ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES)
- Design and build financial and operational models to guide investment in innovations that drive long-term strategic advantage for the company: You will use these models to
- Expose key assumption
- Explore sensitivity analyses to isolate the impact of key variables
- Demonstrate scenario plans that capture real world impacts on modeled outcomes
- Highlight the impact of key risks
- Guide strategic rationale for opportunities including recommendations to Executive Management
- See ahead to future possibilities and translate them into breakthrough strategies
- Leverage data and analysis to inform ongoing model refinements, helping to foster a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
- Continually assesses the business value and efficiency of the work performed, identifying, and implementing improvements
- Facilitate and initiate communications cross-functionally in the interest of ensuring the team’s goals and strategies are adequately represented
- Coordinate and manage the initial assessment of investment or partnership opportunities
- Act as financial liaison to the various functions throughout the company
YOU HAVE:
(COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS)
EDUCATION
- Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in finance or economics
EXPERIENCE
- +5 years’ experience in a business or valuation role
- Experience in related domain fields preferred (Ag-Tech, Seeds, Ingredients)
- Candidate must have worked on a variety of valuation engagements
- Proven track record of using analysis to drive well-founded recommendations and solutions
- Strong ability to cultivate relationships with subject matter experts, potential investment targets and partnership companies
- Demonstrate a history of working at executive levels to influence others and build consensus and commitment to a recommended direction while managing multiple collaborators; genuinely value and solicit others’ input and expertise
- Ability to learn and understand the connections between emerging technologies and the areas of strategic focus for Benson Hill
- Strong financial acuity, including undertaking critical analysis of financial statements and forecasts
- Solid understanding of investment and partnership structures, agreements, and terms
- Exceptional business judgment and discretion, and a consistently helpful and positive demeanor.
SOFTWARE/SKILLSET
- Strong presentation skills, PowerPoint
OTHER
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- High level of flexibility, commitment, and performance standards.
- Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Self-starter with a positive outlook and motivated demeanor.
WE HAVE A TOTAL REWARDS PACKAGE AT BENSON HILL THAT CONSISTS OF MORE THAN JUST YOUR PAYCHECK. TOTAL REWARDS AT BENSON HILL COVERS PAY (SALARY AND BONUS), HEALTH (EMPLOYER BENEFIT CONTRIBUTIONS) AND WEALTH (INVESTMENTS). SOME OF THE PERKS INCLUDE:
- A Collaborative Environment
- A flexible PTO program with a focus on work/life balance
- Competitive medical benefits and retirement savings plan
- FREE Dental and Vision Coverage
- Education reimbursement
- PAID parental leave
- And more….