SJ Candles subscribes to a management theory known as management by exception.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Management by Exception is a management style that focuses attention and resources on areas where actual results deviate significantly from expected results.

According to Saylor Academy BUS105:

“Management by exception is a principle where managers focus only on significant variances between actual and budgeted results.”

Only Option D reflects a significant unfavorable variance that exceeds a predefined threshold—this is exactly the kind of situation where management by exception would trigger action.

Answer: D