Vice President of Accounting and Finance

We are seeking a strategic and hands-on Vice President of Finance and accounting to lead our financial operations and guide the company’s financial strategy and accounting team. Following the retirement of a veteran of the company and a subsequent interim period, we are looking for a permanent leader to modernize reporting, streamline processes, and drive team cohesion. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader—not a "dictator"—who can quickly build trust with a young finance team and work seamlessly across departments. You will partner with Operations, Sales, and HR to drive profitability, forecast accurately, and support strategic initiatives such as potential plant expansions. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Team Development Team Oversight: Lead and mentor a 12-person finance team, which includes a Director of Accounting, FP&A Manager, Credit Manager, Cost Accountant, two Accountants, and staff in AP (3) and AR (3). Culture & Mentorship: Establish trust quickly and unify the team, fostering an environment of professional development to prepare staff for internal advancement. Executive Collaboration: Engage in lively but respectful discussions with the executive team; partner with the President and Board to provide financial insights and strategic recommendations. Financial Operations, Reporting & Systems Immediate Priorities (First 30-90 Days): Evaluate current financials to clarify and streamline reporting structures. Review past data entries to ensure proper backup, validating controls and processes. Assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses to align talent effectively. Systems Optimization: Leverage JD Edwards to drive efficiency following a recent reimplementation; expertise in this specific ERP is a significant advantage. Operational Partnership: Work with Operations on cost of materials and strategic planning for potential new plant builds, identifying tax incentives and ensuring profitability. Support Sales with inventory accuracy and forecasting. Compliance & Risk Management Regulatory Adherence: Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements. Audit Oversight: Manage the external audit process to ensure alignment with regulatory and company policies. Qualifications Education & Experience Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required; an MBA is preferred. Industry Experience: A minimum of 7 years of experience in Manufacturing is required. Leadership: 10+ years of financial leadership experience is preferred, though exceptional candidates with strong talent and slightly less tenure will be considered. ERP Expertise: Experience with JD Edwards is highly desired and considered a major asset for this role. Niche Manufacturing Knowledge: Experience specifically with plastics, injection molding, or extrusion is considered a "unicorn" skill set and is strongly preferred. Soft Skills: Must possess high emotional intelligence to navigate cross-departmental relationships respectfully. The ability to balance "in-the-weeds" detailed work with big-picture prioritization is essential. Travel Requirements Occasional travel (typically 1-2 days at a time, approx. once a year per site) to manufacturing facilities. Base Salary: $200,000 – $250,000 annually. Bonus Structure: Generous annual bonus plan, historically trending north of 10%. Company Vehicle: Includes a company car, full vehicle insurance, and fuel (covers both business and personal use). Retirement & Deferred Comp: Eligibility for a "Top Hat" deferred compensation plan with a 5% company contribution , regardless of employee participation. Relocation Package: Comprehensive assistance available for non-local candidates, including: Direct payment to movers (based on 2-3 bids). Allowances for temporary housing and offsets for closing costs. Note: Relocation covers normal household goods; extensive collections (e.g., classic cars) are not covered. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Midtown Group