Associate Spotlight – Zachary Galperin
Learn more about Zachary Galperin, Manager, Financial Analysis, and his experiences as part of the Finance team.
Q. Can you tell us a little about your role at PDI?
Galperin: While my title is Manager, Financial Analysis, that doesn’t fully explain my role. The majority of my responsibilities within PDI include Financial Planning and Analysis (supporting the budgeting process, LE process, and Five Year Plan process), Business Unit Finance (supporting month-end close process, margin analysis, and other ad hoc requests), as well as supporting the product core teams with new product development.
Q. What new skills have you learned while working at PDI? How have you developed personally and professionally?
Galperin: Some of the best skills I’ve learned so far while working at PDI are time management and communications. While this is a small organization, PDI thinks big. At times, it can be very demanding and requires juggling multiple things at once while also having strict deadlines. Finance is a key part of the organization in making sure managers have the right information to make accurate decisions, and I’m thankful to be part of a team that works with all aspects of the business.
Q. Can you provide some insights on your team dynamics/working relationships with colleagues?
Galperin: What more can I say about my team that’s not already said day in and day out within PDI. Our team is small but ferocious. Without the hard work, great teamwork, and communication provided to the organization, there would be little to no financial or reporting for the management team. In the starting lineup, you’ve got the leader, Mariano Balaguer. Behind Mariano is his number 1 lieutenant, Trish Maus. I think it’s safe to say if you ever need anything, you go to Trish. Supporting Trish, you’ve got me, Pistol Pete, and newcomer Ken the Man. And if all else fails, while once part of the FP&A team, but still number 1 in our hearts, you’ve got the Bulldog, Tony C.
Q. What made you decide to join PDI?
Galperin: At my previous company, I was part of the Marketing Finance Team, which supported +$125M of marketing spend within the P&L. While this was a critical component within the P&L, it became repetitive. As there were no openings/opportunities within the rest of the organization to transition to, I started looking elsewhere and made sure that wherever I landed, I was able to get more P&L management, as well as opportunities to grow and develop. I interviewed at PDI and was very intrigued by what I heard about the opportunity, as well as how PDI makes a difference every day in so many lives, and the rest is history!
Q. How has your perspective of PDI changed since you joined the company?
Galperin: While I knew PDI was a big player in the surface disinfectant market, throughout the pandemic, I learned how crucial PDI was to the industry. If PDI wasn’t able to come together and ramp up production as it did, I believe things could have been worse than it truly was. This just goes to show how PDI is a market leader and that anything is possible with great teamwork.