Finance Manager

Company Description

Our client is comprised of a group of leading machine tool and systems companies serving the durable goods industry.  Utilizing a comprehensive line of equipment and technologies, in combination with diverse process engineering knowledge, our client provides tailored manufacturing solutions to key industrial sectors across the globe.

Our client has a large portfolio of highly recognized and well respected brands.  With manufacturing operations in the United States, Germany, China, Korea, Brazil, France and the Untied Kingdom, the companies of our client rank 5th in revenues in their global market.  Most importantly in today’s economy our client is still profitable with unparalleled stability in a competitive industry.

Position

Reporting directly to the CFO of the Americas organization, this position will play an integral part in providing detailed forecasts, budgets and planning activities for US and Canadian operations.  Individual will play a lead role in converting the finance and accounting organization from one that is aligned by product specific production units to one that is aligned with company divisions that focus on providing products and services to specific industries.

The Finance Manager will be responsible for standardizing financial policies, procedures, controls and reporting systems.  Will initiate process improvements to streamline SAP reporting and manual accounting activities.  The Finance Manager will be the conduit for communication between plant General Managers, Industry Segment Directors and the Americas Finance organization.  Clear communication between these entities will be essential for driving the transformation of the finance organization.

Specific Responsibilities

• Partner with operational management in the quantification and maximization of profit, net working assets and cash.


• Manage Division financials, i.e…..Balance Sheet, P&L, Cash Flow.


• Lead standardization and centralization of division finance activities and transition accounting activities to centralized transactional accounting team.


• Improve SAP integration with legacy financial systems.  Implement standard and centralized SAP and Hyperion reporting solutions.


• Maintain weekly Key Operating Metrics necessary to support business forecasting.


• Update financial projections, anticipate potential variances, define options and make recommendations toward solutions.


• Coordinate development of budgets, (operating and capital) and strategic plans.


• Build project plans with appropriate timeliness.  Develop action plans with resource schedules, cost schedules, space considerations and financial returns.


• Ensure balance sheet account reconciliations are complete and in compliance with Americas common format.


• Ensure internal controls and procedures are in compliance with GAAP.


• Evaluate current cost structures specifically related to:

           - make/buy decisions

           - internal transfer pricing issues

           - cross divisional overhead and transaction costs

• Partner with credit and collections to ensure minimization of receivable days sales outstanding (DSO), bad debt write-offs and credit memos.


• Take ownership of outstanding receivables that cannot be resolved through normal collection efforts.


• Monitor inventory levels, evaluate current product pricing policies.

Qualifications

• Must be a change agent.  Excellent communication skills with a high level of confidence necessary to direct change.


• Experience leading the transition of finance/accounting policies, procedures, forecasts, reporting systems from a decentralized to centralized organization structure.  Demonstrated and quantifiable past experience leading significant organizational change initiatives is a non-negotiable requirement for this position.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years experience in a “business partner” finance role.  B.S. degree.  MBA preferred.


• Experience in SAP (or similar) and working within centralized operations required.


• Manufacturing or Distribution experience preferred.


• Knowledge of GAAP, cost accounting.