Director of Accounting and Finance

Scope of Position

We seek an experienced and strategic Director of Accounting and Finance to lead all financial functions for our manufacturing operations. This individual will be responsible for accurate financial reporting, operational cost control, budgeting and forecasting, and cross-functional financial leadership. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting and finance within a plant or manufacturing environment, combined with excellent leadership and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Close: Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements, including balance sheet analysis, operational variance reports, and inventory accounting. Ensure monthly plant financial closings are completed within three business days.

Budgeting and Forecasting: Partner with plant and executive leadership to develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans. Provide detailed variance analysis and actionable insights to support financial targets and cost efficiency.

Cost Management: Lead the preparation of the annual standard cost budget and oversee monthly variance analysis. Direct product costing evaluations for new and existing products. Drive initiatives to identify, develop, and implement plant-wide cost-saving strategies.

Internal Controls and Compliance: Establish and maintain robust internal controls across all plant financial operations. Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable regulations while continuously improving control processes.

Financial & Operational Analysis: Conduct in-depth financial analyses to support strategic decision-making. Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.

Inventory Oversight: Manage inventory accounting processes, including cycle counts, audits, and reconciliations. Optimize inventory turnover while ensuring accurate valuation and reporting.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate across departments, including production, procurement, and logistics, to ensure financial alignment with operational objectives. Act as a strategic partner to plant and corporate leadership.

Audit Readiness and Coordination: Lead preparation for internal and external audits, including creating schedules, managing documentation, and resolving audit findings promptly.

Team Development and Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team within the plant. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth. Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or CMA preferred.

Minimum 7-10 years of progressive experience in financial leadership roles, preferably within manufacturing.

Strong knowledge of US GAAP, cost accounting, and financial planning & analysis.

Proficiency in financial systems and tools; Microsoft Dynamics/D365 experience is a plus.

Proven track record of process improvement and strategic financial leadership.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative mindset.

High attention to detail and accuracy with the ability to meet tight deadlines.