Finance Manager

About the opportunity… This role supports a global manufacturer known for highly specialized, formulation-driven products used across a wide range of consumer applications. The company partners with many of the world’s most recognized brands, creating a unique environment with thousands of raw materials and constantly evolving formulations. You’ll step into a highly visible, plant-facing role working directly with operations leadership, playing a key role in how cost, margin, and performance decisions are made. What you’ll do… Serve as the lead finance partner supporting two manufacturing facilities, working closely with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to drive cost visibility and profitability. Own product costing and manufacturing finance activities within a high-mix, complex formulation environment, ensuring accuracy in standard and actual costs, BOM structures, and inventory valuation. Analyze manufacturing variances (materials, labor, overhead), identify root causes, and partner with operations to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement. Support margin and profitability analysis across products, customers, and business segments, providing insight into pricing, cost drivers, and performance trends. Support budgeting and forecasting processes, with a focus on cost inputs, operational assumptions, and plant-level financial visibility. Prepare and deliver monthly reporting and KPIs, including manufacturing performance, inventory, and cost metrics for site and regional leadership. Partner cross-functionally to support new product introductions, formulation changes, and process improvements, ensuring financial accuracy and visibility. Leverage SAP S/4HANA, SAP Analytics Cloud, and Power BI to maintain data integrity, enhance reporting, and support ongoing system improvements and automation initiatives. Act as a hands‑on financial resource within the plants, translating data into actionable insights and supporting day‑to‑day decision‑making. What we’re looking for… 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing finance, plant operations finance, controlling, cost accounting, or FP&A supporting complex process manufacturing environments. Experience in high-mix, complex formulation manufacturing environments with large volumes of raw materials, detailed BOM structures, and dynamic costing considerations. Strong hands‑on experience with SAP, specifically S/4HANA, including FI/CO and manufacturing‑related modules (MM/PP). Deep understanding of product costing, manufacturing variances, inventory accounting, and plant‑level financial performance. Proven ability to partner with operations and cross‑functional teams to drive cost improvements, solve problems, and influence decisions. Experience supporting pricing, margin analysis, and customer/product profitability in a manufacturing setting. Background in industries such as specialty chemicals, food & beverage, flavor & fragrance, or similar process manufacturing environments preferred. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CMA, CPA, or MBA a plus. Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to operate effectively in a hands‑on, fast‑paced environment. What this role offers… In this role, you’ll influence how cost, efficiency, and profitability are managed across plants, working side‑by‑side with operations leadership on day‑to‑day decisions. You’ll be a key financial voice within a well‑established, global organization known for its stability, strong culture, and long‑standing relationships with some of the most recognized brands in the world. The role offers broad exposure across operations and the opportunity to grow into larger scope over time, within a company known for long employee tenure and a steady, well‑run environment. #J-18808-Ljbffr