Head of Finance and Accounting (Chicago)

Head of Finance and Accounting

Location: On-site

Position Overview:

Our client is seeking a Head of Finance and Accounting to lead the accounting and finance function for a growing manufacturing site in the Chicago area. This is a key leadership role for someone who understands manufacturing accounting, enjoys being close to the business, and can serve as a trusted financial advisor to site leadership.

The business designs and manufactures highly engineered products used in critical technology infrastructure applications. The site is growing significantly and operates in a complex environment involving raw materials, tariffs, long-term customer contracts, commodity exposure, inventory, capital investments, and evolving reporting expectations within a larger public company structure.

Within this position, you will own the monthly close, financial reporting, cash flow visibility, cost accounting, internal controls, team leadership, and financial analysis for the site. You will also help guide business decisions by bringing a clear financial lens to customer terms, margin impact, capital spending, inventory, raw material risk, and operational performance.

The right person will be more than a strong accountant. They will be curious enough to understand the products, close enough to the operation to know what drives the numbers, and confident enough to advise leadership with clarity and sound judgment. This is a hands-on, low-ego culture where leaders are close to the work, people support each other, and ownership matters.

Manufacturing, industrial, or similar experience is required. Bilingual English-Spanish communication skills are a great nice-to-have.

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process with a focus on accuracy, timeliness, and continuous improvement.
• Own financial reporting for the site, including reporting packages, forecasts, analysis, and leadership-level financial updates.
• Serve as the primary finance partner to site leadership, providing insight on financial results, risks, opportunities, and business decisions.
• Lead and develop the accounting team, setting clear expectations around accuracy, ownership, communication, and process discipline.
• Oversee core accounting operations, including general ledger, reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, commissions, fixed assets, and capital expenditures.
• Strengthen manufacturing accounting processes, including inventory accounting, physical inventory support, standard costs, cost analysis, and variance review.
• Partner with operations, warehouse, IT, and leadership teams to improve inventory accuracy, financial visibility, and operational reporting.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and scenario analysis for the site.
• Analyze customer terms, revenue trends, cost drivers, margins, and cash flow impact to help leadership make informed decisions.
• Monitor financial risks tied to tariffs, raw material pricing, long-term contracts, and commodity exposure. Maintain and evaluate an existing commodity hedging program with a practical understanding of business risk and market impact.
• Establish and improve internal controls that protect company assets, strengthen compliance, and support public company reporting expectations.
• Help improve finance and accounting processes as the business continues to mature within a larger public company environment.
• Support the transition from the current ERP system to a future platform, bringing a systems-savvy and improvement-minded approach.
• Provide financial guidance around capital investments, project spending, and site-level business cases.
• Protect confidential financial and business information with discretion and professionalism.
• Support additional finance, accounting, operational, and leadership initiatives as business needs evolve.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field required.
• MBA, CPA, or public accounting background preferred.
• Proven experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Finance Leader, or senior accounting leader. Manufacturing accounting experience required.
• Experience in a complex industrial, engineered product, or raw-material-intensive environment strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, close processes, cost accounting, inventory, and cash flow management.
• Experience leading accounting or finance team members with a focus on development, accountability, and consistent execution.
• Ability to translate financial information into clear, practical guidance for non-finance leaders.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, revenue analysis, and financial modeling.
• Exposure to tariffs, commodity pricing, hedging, long-term contracts, or raw material risk preferred. Experience with state and local tax considerations, tax incentives, or complex tax environments preferred. Experience with Infor Visual, Infor Sightline, or similar manufacturing ERP systems preferred.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort working with ERP systems, reporting tools, and financial data.
• Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills are highly preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with site leadership, corporate teams, operational employees, and hourly workforce environments.
• Self-directed, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Strong judgment with the ability to know when to escalate, when to advise, and when to move work forward independently.

What Naturally Makes You a Good Fit:

• You understand that a great Controller does more than close the books.
• You enjoy getting close to the operation and learning what actually drives the numbers.
• You are comfortable in a manufacturing environment and respect the people closest to the work.
• You bring strong accounting discipline without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
• You can explain financial information in a way that helps leaders make better decisions.
• You are curious enough to learn the products, cost drivers, customer dynamics, and operational realities. You can work independently and take ownership without needing every step spelled out.
• You know when to raise an issue and when to solve it.
• You lead with humility, confidence, and a low-ego approach.
• You are comfortable with a business that is growing, evolving, and strengthening its processes.
• You bring a positive, steady presence when priorities shift or problems need to be worked through.
• You care about building a strong team, not just getting your own work done.

Benefits of working with the team:

As a valued member of the team, you will receive a competitive compensation package, including a base salary with bonus eligibility based on site and broader company performance. Additional benefits include: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) plan, life insurance, paid time off, company-sponsored benefits, etc.