We are partnering with a rapidly growing client in the manufacturing space on a very exciting, brand-new role to their team. The Accounting & Finance Manager will oversee core financial operations for a manufacturing business, ensuring accurate accounting, strong internal controls, and actionable financial insights that support production, distribution, and commercial performance. This role combines financial leadership with operational partnership, helping the organization improve profitability, strengthen process efficiency, and support business growth.

This position works closely with plant leadership, supply chain, procurement, sales, customer support, and technology teams. The ideal candidate is comfortable balancing strategic planning with day-to-day execution in a dynamic environment that may include rapid change, system enhancements, and evolving business priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Operations and Close Management

• Manage month-end and year-end close activities for manufacturing operations, including journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and financial statement review.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial results in accordance with company policies and applicable accounting standards.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and support consistent accounting treatment across operational transactions.

Cost Accounting and Manufacturing Finance

• Direct standard costing, product costing, and cost roll processes for manufactured goods.
• Review labor, material, and overhead absorption to assess production efficiency and margin performance.
• Analyze manufacturing variances and provide recommendations to improve plant productivity, waste reduction, and cost management.
• Support capital spending reviews, make-versus-buy analysis, and other operational investment decisions.

Inventory and Working Capital Management

• Oversee financial monitoring of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods balances.
• Coordinate with plant and warehouse teams to strengthen stock accuracy, transaction discipline, and inventory-related reporting.
• Evaluate slow-moving and excess inventory exposure and recommend corrective actions.
• Help drive improvements in working capital through better planning, reporting, and cross-functional coordination.

Budgeting, Forecasting, and Analysis

• Lead the annual operating plan and periodic forecast cycles for manufacturing and related support functions.
• Prepare financial models and scenario analyses to support volume planning, margin improvement, and strategic initiatives.
• Deliver variance analysis on operating results, highlighting key drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Provide financial decision support to leadership on production trends, labor utilization, and spending controls.

Revenue, Pricing, and Commercial Support

• Partner with commercial teams to monitor product margins, customer profitability, and pricing performance.
• Support the financial review of contracts, rebates, promotions, and other commercial programs.
• Improve financial visibility into order flow, shipment activity, and revenue recognition support processes.
• Assist in resolving transactional issues that affect invoicing accuracy, deductions, or customer account reconciliation.

Controls, Compliance, and Process Governance

• Establish and enhance internal control practices across accounting and finance workflows.
• Support audit readiness and coordinate documentation for internal and external audit requests.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, delegated authority requirements, and financial governance standards.
• Promote disciplined processes that reduce risk and improve consistency across locations or business units.

Systems and Continuous Improvement

• Act as a finance lead on ERP optimization, reporting improvements, and data integrity initiatives.
• Collaborate with business and technology partners to improve workflows, automate manual tasks, and strengthen reporting capabilities.
• Contribute to integration efforts tied to new facilities, acquisitions, or organizational changes.
• Recommend scalable solutions that improve accuracy, efficiency, and visibility across finance and operations.

Team Leadership and Business Partnership

• Lead, coach, and develop accounting and finance staff while setting clear expectations and performance goals.
• Build effective partnerships with manufacturing, operations, procurement, logistics, sales, and customer-facing teams.
• Communicate financial results and operational insights in a clear, practical manner for non-financial stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business discipline.
• Progressive experience in accounting, finance, cost accounting, or plant/manufacturing finance.
• Background supporting a manufacturing, industrial, or product-based environment.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
• Experience working with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel in a business analysis setting.
• Proven ability to analyze data, solve problems, and influence cross-functional decision-making.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across operational and executive teams.