Manufacturing Finance Manager

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:

Please make an application promptly if you are a good match for this role due to high levels of interest.

• Shape the operational accounting framework across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Lead and develop a team of site accountants.
• Influence key operational, investment, and productivity decisions.
• Increase Finance's strategic contribution to manufacturing performance and business results.

Reporting to the Regional Head of Finance , the Manufacturing Finance 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.

What Success Looks Like

Operational Performance & Business Partnership

• 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, 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.

Inventory Management, Controls & Compliance

• 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.

Capital Investment & Strategic Decision Support

• Partner with Project Engineering and Operations teams to develop and evaluate capital investment business cases.
• Monitor capital expenditures and provide analysis of budget adherence, timing, and project risks.
• Ensure capital projects align with business objectives, sustainability requirements, budgets, and timelines.
• Assess cost-saving opportunities and support operational prioritization decisions.

Planning, Forecasting & Reporting

• Lead the annual operating budget and forecasting processes in partnership with Operations and FP&A.
• Challenge assumptions and provide management with financial guidance on spending commitments and business plans.
• Enhance SAP reporting capabilities to improve decision-making and operational visibility.
• Drive process improvements and support complex cross-functional initiatives.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop site accountants across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability for reporting accuracy and deadlines.
• Strengthen business-partnering capabilities across the accounting team.
• Foster strong relationships with Site Directors and operational leadership.
• Enhance scorecards, reporting tools, and management visibility into key business metrics.

Operating Style

• This is a highly visible leadership role that combines technical accounting expertise, analytical problem-solving, business partnership, and team leadership.

A successful candidate will

• Build trusted relationships with Site Directors, Operations, Production, Engineering, FP&A, and Finance leadership.
• Lead and develop accounting resources while maintaining accountability for quality and results.
• Challenge existing processes constructively and drive continuous improvement.
• Use financial analysis, data, and scenario planning to influence business decisions.
• Communicate technical accounting and cost information effectively to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Balance ongoing reporting and control responsibilities with strategic projects and leadership initiatives.

Core Capabilities

• Strategic Perspective: Connect manufacturing performance, product economics, and investment decisions to broader business objectives.
• Execution: Deliver reliable reporting, meet critical deadlines, and turn analysis into measurable operational improvements.
• Collaboration: Build strong partnerships across Operations, Production, Engineering, Finance, and site leadership teams.
• Adaptability: Effectively manage monthly reporting requirements, annual planning cycles, team leadership, and complex projects simultaneously.
• Curiosity: Identify cost, inventory, and performance trends while continuously seeking process improvements.
• Integrity & Influence: Provide objective, data-driven recommendations and build trust through credibility, accountability, and follow-through.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant experience in manufacturing finance and cost accounting, including leadership and supervisory responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• 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. xhyhwjd

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