Plant Finance Manager

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced finance professional to lead financial planning, cost management, and business performance activities at a large-scale manufacturing operation. This individual will work closely with site leadership to strengthen financial performance, improve operational efficiency, and support strategic business objectives.

The Plant Finance Manager will serve as a trusted advisor to operational leaders, providing financial analysis and commercial insight to guide decision-making. This role combines strategic planning with hands-on financial oversight, requiring someone who can connect manufacturing performance with financial results and translate complex data into practical business recommendations.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in manufacturing finance, a continuous improvement mindset, and the ability to build effective partnerships across multiple functions in a dynamic production environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy and Business Support

• Direct the site’s budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Partner with plant leadership to evaluate financial performance, identify emerging trends, and recommend appropriate courses of action.
• Assess financial risks and growth opportunities while developing strategies to improve margins, cash generation, and overall business results.
• Evaluate proposed capital projects through financial projections, investment appraisals, and ongoing performance assessments.
• Establish and track financial and operational indicators to measure progress against business goals.
• Provide decision support for operational planning, resource allocation, and strategic initiatives.

Manufacturing Finance and Cost Management

• Oversee site-level cost accounting, including product costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing variances, and production cost reporting.
• Evaluate cost drivers across raw materials, labor, production processes, overhead, and inventory to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with production, procurement, engineering, and maintenance teams to improve cost efficiency and operational productivity.
• Provide accurate cost and profitability analysis to support commercial strategy, pricing decisions, and product-level performance reviews.
• Review actual financial results against established plans and investigate significant variances.
• Support inventory management, cash flow optimization, and initiatives designed to improve working capital.

Financial Reporting and Governance

• Manage the preparation and delivery of financial reports, performance analyses, and management updates for site and senior leadership.
• Maintain effective accounting procedures and internal controls in accordance with applicable standards, company requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Ensure financial records, supporting documentation, and reporting processes remain accurate, consistent, and audit-ready.
• Coordinate audit activities and oversee the timely implementation of corrective actions when needed.
• Promote data accuracy, reporting integrity, and consistency across financial and operational systems.

Leadership and Operational Excellence

• Establish strong working relationships with leaders across manufacturing, finance, supply chain, engineering, and commercial functions.
• Encourage a results-oriented culture built on financial accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Refine financial workflows, reporting practices, and management tools to support operational scale and business growth.
• Supervise and develop finance personnel, providing coaching, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial systems, automate reporting, strengthen analytics, and enhance business decision-making.
• Contribute to broader site initiatives focused on operational effectiveness, process improvement, and long-term performance.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related discipline.
• Advanced education or professional credentials, such as an MBA, CPA, or CMA, are desirable.
• At least seven years of progressive experience in finance or accounting, including a minimum of three years in a manufacturing environment.
• Background in plant finance, cost accounting, financial planning and analysis, or manufacturing controllership.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing cost structures, inventory valuation, standard costing, variance analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Experience evaluating capital expenditures and assessing the financial impact of operational decisions.
• Familiarity with ERP platforms and financial reporting systems.
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to communicate financial concepts clearly and influence decisions across cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, sound business judgment, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
• Experience supporting new facility launches, significant capacity expansions, or complex operational improvement initiatives is a plus.
• Comfortable balancing strategic priorities with detailed, hands-on financial responsibilities in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.

Opportunity Highlights

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a substantial manufacturing operation undergoing continued development and growth. The successful candidate will work directly with site leadership, influence key business decisions, and help establish financial practices that support operational performance and long-term success.

For a finance leader who enjoys working at the intersection of accounting, strategy, and manufacturing operations, this role provides the opportunity to strengthen business performance, develop a high-performing finance function, and contribute to the continued evolution of the organization.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision
• 401K