Vice President of Finance - Manufacturing

We have been retained by our client to find them a hands‑on Vice President of Finance to join a growing manufacturing and project‑based business. This is an operational finance leadership role for a technically strong accounting executive who enjoys being close to the work - solving accounting issues, improving processes, evaluating project and product performance, and partnering with leadership on day‑to‑day business decisions.

The successful candidate will be expected to quickly develop a detailed understanding of the company’s accounting processes and financial systems and progressively assume direct ownership of accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, risk management, cash management, and financial analysis. The role requires both executive‑level judgment and a willingness to work directly in the details when necessary.

Core Responsibilities:

• Own the monthly and annual close process and ensure timely, accurate financial statements and management reporting in accordance with GAAP.
• Maintain strong balance‑sheet discipline, including timely reconciliations, accruals, reserves, and resolution of unusual or aged items.
• Lead accounting for manufacturing operations, including inventory, costing, overhead allocation, variances, margins, and related controls.
• Oversee project/job accounting, revenue recognition, project profitability, backlog‑related financial analysis, and the financial evaluation of significant contracts and commercial terms.
• Establish, document, monitor, and enforce effective internal accounting and financial controls and ensure that finance procedures are consistently followed.
• Oversee accounts receivable, collections, accounts payable, cash management and banking relationships.
• Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, variance analysis, and financial planning; convert financial information into practical recommendations for operating management.
• Develop useful management reporting that highlights profitability, margins, project performance, operating trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Oversee the Company’s insurance and risk‑management program, including identifying and evaluating insurable risks; working directly with insurance brokers; assessing appropriate coverages, limits, deductibles and risk‑retention alternatives; evaluating carrier proposals; and recommending the selection of insurance coverages and carriers.
• Oversee the Company’s tax and financial compliance activities, coordinating with outside tax preparation firm as appropriate, including income tax matters, sales and use taxes, property taxes, payroll‑related tax matters, and other applicable financial reporting requirements.
• Serve as the senior owner of finance‑related ERP processes and data integrity; improve the effectiveness and use of Acumatica and related business systems, and oversee the outside MSP (IT services).
• Lead, coach, and hold accountable the accounting team. Spend meaningful time with staff to understand how work is performed, improve their understanding of accounting principles and company processes, strengthen technical and problem‑solving capabilities, clarify responsibilities, establish priorities, and build a more capable and scalable finance organization.

Executive and Business Partnership:

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and contribute to the company’s short‑and‑long‑range plans, priorities, policies, and major business decisions.
• Partner with the President and department leaders to understand financial and operational performance and identify actions to improve profitability, cash flow, and efficiency.
• Support pricing, margin analysis, sales strategies, capital expenditure decisions, resource allocation, and other significant commercial…