Finance Manager

Position: Finance Manager Location: Raleigh, NC (3 days) and Wilson, NC (2 days) About the Role A growing global manufacturer is seeking a Manufacturing Finance Manager to serve as a key finance business partner to plant and operations leadership. This role owns production controlling, product costing, forecasting, operational analytics, and capital investment analysis, with a clear focus on driving financial performance and cost transparency across manufacturing operations. This is not a close-heavy or transactional accounting role. It is a true manufacturing FP&A seat that requires someone sharp, analytical, and confident enough to sit with plant managers, decipher the numbers, and drive action. The right candidate blends strong product costing knowledge with the communication skills and business instincts to influence operational decisions. The role reports to a highly supportive and development-focused finance leader who prioritizes coaching, autonomy, and career growth. Key Responsibilities - Production Controlling and Performance Management Analyze manufacturing performance and develop action plans to close gaps against budget and forecast Control headcount, labor efficiency, overhead absorption, cost centers, and site spending Partner with plant managers and operations leadership to improve cost, productivity, margins, and service levels Develop, maintain, and optimize KPIs and dashboards for operational reviews Identify and drive cost reduction opportunities across maintenance, consumables, labor, materials, and overhead Key Responsibilities - Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting Lead annual operating budgets, rolling forecasts, and long-range plans for manufacturing operations Provide structured variance analysis with root-cause insights and corrective actions Monitor actual performance versus budget and forecast and prepare financial commentary for leadership reviews Support business case evaluations, scenario analysis, and financial modeling for operational decisions Key Responsibilities - Cost Accounting and Product Costing Own and optimize standard costing systems including BOMs, routings, labor rates, overhead rates, and revaluations Perform purchase price, labor, overhead, and material variance analysis and drive corrective actions Estimate product costs and support quoting, pricing, and offer development in partnership with sales and operations Analyze unit cost development, cost trends, and profitability drivers Key Responsibilities - Inventory and Working Capital Monitor material price developments and supplier impacts on the P&L Oversee cycle counts and physical inventories and review and approve adjustments Analyze slow-moving, obsolete, and excess inventory and drive reduction plans Lead monthly inventory and working capital reviews with plant leadership Key Responsibilities - Capital Expenditure and Investment Controlling Support Capex planning, ROI analysis, capitalization, depreciation, and post-investment reviews Track Capex spend versus budget and ensure governance and adherence to approval processes Provide financial evaluation and recommendations on proposed investments Key Responsibilities - Business Partnering and Special Projects Serve as a trusted finance partner to plant and operations leadership Act as finance subject matter expert in continuous improvement initiatives including OEE, scrap reduction, yield, and inventory turns Lead or support cross-functional cost improvement, pricing, and strategic initiatives Conduct ad hoc financial analysis and special projects as required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field 5 to 10 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial finance Strong background in cost accounting, product costing, and manufacturing FP&A Experience with standard costing, variance analysis, budgeting, and capital investment analysis Advanced Excel skills and experience working in ERP systems in a manufacturing environment Comfortable working on the manufacturing floor and engaging directly with operations daily Strong communication skills with the ability to translate financial data into operational action Ability to work independently with sound judgment and minimal supervision Sharp, high-energy, and confident enough to challenge assumptions and drive accountability Qualifications - Preferred MBA, CPA, or CMA SAP experience or exposure to an ERP transition Openness to future relocation within the Carolinas as the organization continues to grow Work Environment Split schedule: 3 days per week in Raleigh, 2 days per week in Wilson Regular plant-floor engagement and collaboration with operations teams Some domestic travel to other manufacturing sites, approximately quarterly Standard 40-hour weeks with occasional stretches to 45 to 50 during peak periods Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. Representation Notice By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. For residents of Ontario, Canada: Based on Highspring’s discussions with its Client, Highspring’s understanding is that this position for employment is a current vacancy (either through Highspring as a contractor or with the client directly). Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring’s use of AI can be found here ( Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client’s use of AI products in hiring. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual’s skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.aa415a4b-8b21-40fc-a65c-70d2b25ca29a