Finance Manager

Finance ManagerPosition: Finance ManagerLocation: 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.Key Responsibilities - Production Controlling and Performance Management:Analyze manufacturing performance and develop action plans to close gaps against budget and forecastControl headcount, labor efficiency, overhead absorption, cost centers, and site spendingPartner with plant managers and operations leadership to improve cost, productivity, margins, and service levelsDevelop, maintain, and optimize KPIs and dashboards for operational reviewsIdentify and drive cost reduction opportunities across maintenance, consumables, labor, materials, and overheadKey Responsibilities - Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting:Lead annual operating budgets, rolling forecasts, and long-range plans for manufacturing operationsProvide structured variance analysis with root-cause insights and corrective actionsMonitor actual performance versus budget and forecast and prepare financial commentary for leadership reviewsSupport business case evaluations, scenario analysis, and financial modeling for operational decisionsKey Responsibilities - Cost Accounting and Product Costing:Own and optimize standard costing systems including BOMs, routings, labor rates, overhead rates, and revaluationsPerform purchase price, labor, overhead, and material variance analysis and drive corrective actionsEstimate product costs and support quoting, pricing, and offer development in partnership with sales and operationsAnalyze unit cost development, cost trends, and profitability driversKey Responsibilities - Inventory and Working Capital:Monitor material price developments and supplier impacts on the P&LOversee cycle counts and physical inventories and review and approve adjustmentsAnalyze slow-moving, obsolete, and excess inventory and drive reduction plansLead monthly inventory and working capital reviews with plant leadershipKey Responsibilities - Capital Expenditure and Investment Controlling:Support Capex planning, ROI analysis, capitalization, depreciation, and post-investment reviewsTrack Capex spend versus budget and ensure governance and adherence to approval processesProvide financial evaluation and recommendations on proposed investmentsKey Responsibilities - Business Partnering and Special Projects:Serve as a trusted finance partner to plant and operations leadershipAct as finance subject matter expert in continuous improvement initiatives including OEE, scrap reduction, yield, and inventory turnsLead or support cross-functional cost improvement, pricing, and strategic initiativesConduct ad hoc financial analysis and special projects as requiredQualifications:Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field5 to 10 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial financeStrong background in cost accounting, product costing, and manufacturing FP&AExperience with standard costing, variance analysis, budgeting, and capital investment analysisAdvanced Excel skills and experience working in ERP systems in a manufacturing environmentComfortable working on the manufacturing floor and engaging directly with operations dailyStrong communication skills with the ability to translate financial data into operational actionAbility to work independently with sound judgment and minimal supervisionSharp, high-energy, and confident enough to challenge assumptions and drive accountabilityQualifications - Preferred:MBA, CPA, or CMASAP experience or exposure to an ERP transitionOpenness to future relocation within the Carolinas as the organization continues to growWork Environment:Split schedule: 3 days per week in Raleigh, 2 days per week in WilsonRegular plant-floor engagement and collaboration with operations teamsSome domestic travel to other manufacturing sites, approximately quarterlyStandard 40-hour weeks with occasional stretches to 45 to 50 during peak periods