Finance Manager

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Director of Finance to own all financial operations for the company. This is a hands-on leadership role — you will be both strategic advisor to the President and an active operator managing day-to-day accounting, cash flow, reporting, and financial planning. The right candidate has worked in a small-to-midsize product company, is comfortable with complexity and ambiguity, and brings the discipline to build systems that scale.

Financial Planning & Reporting

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)

• Build and maintain rolling 12-month forecasts and annual operating budgets

• Develop KPI dashboards and variance analysis to support executive decision-making

• Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital — including seasonal inventory build cycles

Accounting & Controls

• Oversee all accounting operations: AP, AR, payroll, general ledger, and month-end close

• Manage relationships with external CPA firm, banking partners, and auditors

• Maintain internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP

• Own tax filings and coordinate with outside tax advisors on planning and compliance

• Administer NetSuite ERP — ensure accuracy of item master, BOMs, PO-to-invoice flow

Business Partnership

• Partner with sales, operations, and supply chain leadership on margin analysis, costing, and deal economics

• Model and evaluate new product opportunities, retail programs, and capital investments

• Support buyer negotiations with financial modeling and price/margin scenario analysis

• Evaluate and structure vendor terms, payment timing, and credit facility utilization

• Provide financial diligence support for any M&A, partnership, or licensing activity

Team & Systems

• Lead and develop 2 accounting staff

• Drive process improvement across finance — reduce manual work, increase reporting speed and accuracy

• Maintain and improve financial systems, including NetSuite and Excel-based planning models

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of finance/accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a senior or leadership role

• Hands-on experience with all accounting operations — this is not a pure FP&A role

• Strong financial modeling skills (Excel; complex multi-variable models)

• Experience in a product-based business (consumer goods, manufacturing, wholesale, or retail preferred)

• Familiarity with ERP systems; NetSuite experience a strong plus

• CPA or equivalent experience strongly preferred

• Ability to work independently in a lean environment — no large team infrastructure

Nice to Have

• Experience with major retailer programs (big box, club stores)

• Exposure to import/international purchasing, landed cost modeling, or foreign supplier relationships

• Background in companies with seasonal inventory cycles

\nCompany Description

Waters Industries (operating brand: Panther Vision) is an entrepreneurial consumer products company headquartered in West Dundee, IL. We design and sell wearable lighting, heated accessories, and pet products through major retail channels including Costco , Home Depot, Lowe's, Menard's, Meijer, LL Bean, AutoZone and many more. We are a lean, fast-moving team where every person makes a visible impact.

Company Description

Waters Industries (operating brand: Panther Vision) is an entrepreneurial consumer products company headquartered in West Dundee, IL. We design and sell wearable lighting, heated accessories, and pet products through major retail channels including Costco , Home Depot, Lowe's, Menard's, Meijer, LL Bean, AutoZone and many more. We are a lean, fast-moving team where every person makes a visible impact.