Manufacturing Finance and Accounting Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Based in Mercer County, NJ , this position has regional responsibility for supporting the financial requirements of Operations across multiple manufacturing locations. Our client is focused on strengthening operational performance, cost transparency, and disciplined investment across its manufacturing network in North America. Accurate costing, timely reporting, inventory management, and effective financial controls are essential to supporting better decisions and long-term operational success. This role offers the opportunity to. Reporting to the Regional Head of Finance , the Manufacturing Finance and Accounting Manager will:

• Lead and develop site accounting personnel.
• Partner closely with Site Directors and operational leadership teams.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, FP& A, auditors, and finance colleagues.
• Support operational and capital investment decision-making across the manufacturing network.
• Serve as a trusted finance partner to Site Directors and operational leadership teams.
• Provide financial insight, independent challenge, and decision support.
• Lead plant performance reviews to identify risks, opportunities, root causes, and improvement actions.
• Translate complex accounting, costing, and operational data into practical business recommendations.
• Promote financial accountability and business understanding throughout Operations while maintaining strong control standards.

Manufacturing Performance, Inventory, Costing & Profitability

• Develop and continuously enhance plant performance scorecards and operational KPIs.
• Maintain accurate product costing, including bills of material, standard costs, and overhead allocations.
• Partner with Production and site leadership to ensure costing assumptions and operational data remain accurate and current.
• Analyze operational performance drivers and recommend actions to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Lead inventory governance activities, including physical inventories, disposal processes, audit support, and reporting.
• Improve visibility into inventory performance, stock movements, and working capital drivers.
• Maintain strong accounting controls, documentation standards, and compliance across manufacturing finance processes.
• Identify control gaps and financial risks and ensure timely corrective actions.
• Partner with Project Engineering and Operations teams to develop and evaluate capital investment business cases.
• Ensure capital projects align with business objectives, sustainability requirements, budgets, and timelines.
• Assess cost-saving opportunities and support operational prioritization decisions.

Planning, Forecasting & Reporting, and People Leadership

• Lead the annual operating budget and forecasting processes in partnership with Operations and FP& A.
• Drive process improvements and support complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Lead, coach, and develop site accountants across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Enhance scorecards, reporting tools, and management visibility into key business metrics.

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Significant experience in manufacturing finance and cost accounting, including leadership and supervisory responsibilities.
• Experience managing product costing, bills of material, standard costs, and overhead allocations.
• Knowledge of inventory governance, physical inventory programs, disposal processes, and audit support.
• Proven experience partnering with operational leaders on performance improvement and investment decisions.
• Experience supporting and analyzing capital expenditure projects and business cases.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and scenario-planning capabilities.
• Experience working with external and internal auditors.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems, including SAP.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA, CMA, MBA, or equivalent advanced credential preferred.

Benefits

Full Medical, Dental, Vision benefits, 401K, Long/Short term disability, Paid Time Off (PTO) and other amazing benefits available.