Plant Finance Manager – Manufacturing

Location: Lincoln, Illinois
Relocation Assistance: Available for qualified candidates currently residing in the U.S.
Salary: $130,000 – $190,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications
Incentive: Eligible for variable incentive compensation
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Manufacturing / Electrical Products

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Plant Finance Manager to provide financial leadership for a large manufacturing operation in Lincoln, Illinois. This is a highly visible, hands-on finance leadership position serving as a strategic business partner to the Plant Manager and Operations Leadership Team.

The Plant Finance Manager will connect financial processes and analysis with day-to-day manufacturing operations, providing the financial insight necessary to improve profitability, productivity, cost performance, working capital, and overall plant results.

This individual will serve as a finance business partner and change agent, partnering closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and other functional leaders to identify opportunities, develop action plans, measure results, and drive continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will have strong experience in manufacturing finance, cost accounting, plant accounting, forecasting, budgeting, inventory, CAPEX, working capital, and operational performance analysis, along with the ability to communicate financial information effectively to non-financial leaders.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

• Provide onsite financial leadership and strategic support to the manufacturing facility.
• Partner with the Plant Manager and Operations Leadership Team to achieve financial and operational objectives.
• Translate financial results into actionable business insights for non-financial leaders.
• Drive accountability for financial performance and establish meaningful KPIs and performance metrics.
• Provide financial guidance for operational strategies, productivity initiatives, capital investments, and business decisions.

Financial Analysis & Cost Accounting

• Analyze and validate financial results, including sales, production mix, fixed and variable costs, manufacturing variances, and operating expenses.
• Analyze manufacturing transactions and financial data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Lead and interpret cost accounting activities and provide management with actionable information regarding cost efficiency, pricing, profitability, and operational performance.
• Manage and track COGS, manufacturing costs, absorption, and variances to ensure results remain aligned with financial plans and forecasts.
• Monitor cost structures and identify opportunities for cost reduction while maintaining financial accuracy.

Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting

• Lead key financial processes for the plant, including annual profit plans, forecasts, budgets, and periodic financial reviews.
• Develop financial models and scenario analyses to evaluate operational decisions and potential investments.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain on monthly, quarterly, and annual production and cost planning.
• Support the SIOP (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning) process through financial analysis and production/cost planning.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and forecast and develop corrective action plans when necessary.

Operations & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and other functions to identify and implement productivity and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide financial analysis and support for operational excellence, quality improvements, supply chain initiatives, and manufacturing improvements.
• Evaluate the financial impact of process, facility, and product changes.
• Support change management initiatives associated with facility and product improvements.
• Use financial data to help drive improved plant productivity, profitability, and operational performance.

CAPEX & Capital Planning

• Evaluate capital expenditure requests and provide financial analysis to support capital allocation decisions.
• Develop financial models and business cases for capital projects and major operational initiatives.
• Track CAPEX spending and assess the financial impact and return of capital investments.
• Partner with plant leadership to ensure capital investments support strategic and operational objectives.

Working Capital & Inventory

• Drive initiatives designed to improve working capital and maximize cash flow.
• Maintain accountability for inventory value and inventory accuracy.
• Monitor inventory levels, reserves, excess and obsolete inventory, and other working-capital drivers.
• Coordinate physical inventory and cycle count activities.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to identify opportunities to improve inventory performance and profitability.

ERP, MRP & Financial Systems

• Ensure financial and operational information is accurately maintained within the ERP environment.
• Support ERP improvements and process enhancements.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to support MRP development and future system/process improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, data accuracy, financial controls, and business processes.

Risk Management & Internal Controls

• Identify financial and operational risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Support financial controls, audit requirements, and accounting compliance.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Apply sound accounting principles and financial controls to manufacturing operations.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Directly lead, develop, and mentor finance/accounting team members.
• Build organizational capability through effective hiring, employee development, performance management, and succession planning.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and strong financial discipline.
• Support the plant leadership team with financial and business requirements.

Corporate Finance Partnership

• Serve as a key liaison between the plant and corporate finance organizations, including:
  • North America Controllership
  • Global Financial Shared Services
  • Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
  • Global Payroll / Procure-to-Pay functions
• Support finance transformation initiatives and standardized financial processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in finance, cost accounting, plant accounting, or manufacturing finance.
• At least 2 years of direct people leadership experience.
• Previous experience working within or supporting a manufacturing, distribution, or similar operational environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing cost accounting and operational finance.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, inventory, COGS, and variance analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with Operations, Supply Chain, and other non-financial functions.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear business recommendations.
• Self-directed, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related discipline.
• Experience in a manufacturing plant finance or Plant Controller environment.
• Experience with CAPEX, working capital, inventory management, absorption, SIOP, and MRP.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office 365.
• Experience with one or more ERP/financial systems such as:
  • SAP
  • Oracle
  • AS400
  • MAPICS
  • Vista
  • ENCORE
• Experience with Power BI or other business intelligence/reporting platforms.
• Knowledge of auditing and accounting principles.
• Experience with dual-currency accounting environments.
• Experience supporting ERP, finance transformation, or process improvement initiatives.

Core Skills

• Manufacturing Finance
• Plant Finance
• Cost Accounting
• Plant Accounting
• Financial Planning & Analysis
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Variance Analysis
• COGS Management
• Manufacturing Absorption
• Inventory Management
• Working Capital
• CAPEX
• SIOP
• MRP
• ERP Systems
• Financial Modeling
• Operational Finance
• Continuous Improvement
• Risk Management
• KPI Development
• Team Leadership
• Cross-Functional Business Partnership