LAURA SIKKENGA
Vicksburg,MI
Summary
Strategic finance leader with 20+ years of progressive experience in FP&A and manufacturing finance. Proven record of aligning financial planning with operational goals, implementing cost-saving initiatives, and guiding cross-functional teams. Adept at turning complex financial data into actionable insights that drive growth and profitability. MBA-qualified and experienced in large-scale capital planning, forecasting, and performance analysis.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Financial Officer
VDS FARMS, LLC
Scotts, Michigan
09.2024 - Current
- Developed and executed long-range financial plans, including budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow strategies
- Instituted formal month-end close, account reconciliations, and internal controls
- Led risk management and hedging strategy in commodity pricing, saving over $1M
- Liaised with board of directors and supervised three direct reports
Director, US Global Manufacturing & Supply Finance
ZOETIS
06.2023 - 09.2024
- Oversaw FP&A for 14 manufacturing sites across the U.S., including month-end, capital planning, and forecasting
- Drove performance management and career development for nine team members
- Maintained strong partnerships with Plant Controllers and Site Leaders
Site Finance Lead (Plant Controller)
ZOETIS
Buellton CA, San Diego CA, Durham NC, London, Ontario, Canada
01.2020 - 07.2024
- Managed $100M manufacturing budget supporting $300M in revenue
- Developed costing models and inventory strategies yielding $500K in annual savings
- Implemented SOX controls across multiple plants with zero deficiencies
Senior Finance Manager, US Global Manufacturing & Supply Finance
ZOETIS
01.2020 - 04.2022
- Led financial close and budgeting across seven U.S. sites
- Managed SOX audits and mentored a team of three analysts
Senior Financial Analyst
ZOETIS
05.2016 - 12.2019
- Performed month-end close and variance analysis for multiple sites
- Supported annual operating plan and manufacturing standards creation
Senior Financial Analyst (multiple roles)
THE KELLOGG COMPANY
04.2004 - 05.2016
- Global Innovation Finance (most recent role):
- Managed $270M annual budget for brand building and overhead.
- Analyzed/modeled data for Global Innovation Projects, leading the go/no go decisions on innovation launches.
- Spearheaded the implementation of Zero-Based Budgeting, successfully reducing spend in 2016 by 20%.
- Snacks Innovation Finance
- Finance lead on cross-functional project teams to make new product launch decisions based on complexity and profitability. Managed 400 individual projects annually.
- Managed $10MM budget and created forecasting tool for Packaging Work Requests.
- Gained Senior Leadership Approval to successfully launch 15 innovation packaging skus, bringing in an additional estimated revenue of $16M to the company.
- Snacks Financial Planning & Analysis
- Budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis of $350M Overhead budget for Snacks Business Unit
- Communicated risks/opportunities regarding expenses to stakeholders, responsible for full end to end P&L analysis
- Modeled pricing scenarios for Senior Leadership to guide decisions on sales price increases for multiple cookie brands.
Education
MBA - Business Management
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MIBBA -
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MISkills
- Financial Reporting
- Variance Analysis
- Product Costing
- Manufacturing Accounting
- Month End Close Processes
- Communication
- Collaboration & Problem Solving
- Process Optimization
- Customer Service
- Leadership
- Training/Mentoring Others
- Teambuilding
- EQ
Affiliations
- Member of WAVES (Women Achieving Vision, Excellence, and Success) at Zoetis
- Member of Midwest Women’s Mentoring Program at Zoetis (Mentored by President of R&D)
- Board Member - Women of Kellogg (nominated for WK Kellogg Award)
Technology
SAP - Anaplan -GRC - Blackline - GRC - Quickbooks - JD Edwards - Hyperion - Microsoft Excel
Volunteer Experience
- Vicksburg Band Boosters, Treasurer
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Academic Advisory Board Member, Accounting Curriculum
- Vicksburg Community Schools, Coach, Battle of the Books
- Greater Kalamazoo Area, Past Coach, Girls on the Run
Timeline
Chief Financial Officer
VDS FARMS, LLC
09.2024 - Current
Director, US Global Manufacturing & Supply Finance
ZOETIS
06.2023 - 09.2024
Site Finance Lead (Plant Controller)
ZOETIS
01.2020 - 07.2024
Senior Finance Manager, US Global Manufacturing & Supply Finance
ZOETIS
01.2020 - 04.2022
Senior Financial Analyst
ZOETIS
05.2016 - 12.2019
Senior Financial Analyst (multiple roles)
THE KELLOGG COMPANY
04.2004 - 05.2016
MBA - Business Management
Western Michigan University
BBA -
Western Michigan University
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