Director of Finance

Full-Time Accounting and Finance West Chicago, IL Company Overview Our client is a privately held, middle-market packaging manufacturer serving a diverse customer base with high-quality products and responsive service. The organization has built a strong reputation through operational excellence, long-standing customer relationships, and a commitment to continuous improvement. With a collaborative leadership team and a growth-oriented mindset the company continues to invest in its people, processes, and capabilities to support long-term success.

Position Summary:

The Director of Finance serves as the senior financial leader for the organization and is responsible for the overall financial management, accounting operation, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury activities, and internal controls. Reporting directly to the Company President, this position provides strategic financial guidance while maintaining a strong operational focus to support profitable growth and informed business decision-making. The Director of Finance partners closely with department leaders to improve financial performance, strengthen processes, and ensure the integrity of financial information across the organization.

Position Responsibilities:

Leads the development and execution of the company's financial strategy, budgeting process, forecasting activities, and long-range financial planning to support business growth and profitability.

Oversees the preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP while ensuring adherence to all reporting deadlines.

Directs all accounting operations, including general ledger, month-end and year-end close, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, inventory accounting, and cost accounting functions.

Partners with the Company President and operational leadership to deliver financial analysis, performance metrics, profitability reporting, and actionable recommendations that improve business performance and operational efficiency.

Strengthens relationships with banking institutions, external audit firms, tax advisors, and other financial partners while managing financing activities, annual audits, lender reporting, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Establishes, maintains, and continuously improves internal controls, financial policies, accounting procedures, and best practices that safeguard company assets and support organizational scalability.

Mentors, develops, and leads the accounting and finance team by promoting accountability, professional growth, collaboration, and continuous process improvement throughout the department.

Evaluates financial systems, reporting capabilities, and business processes while leading initiatives that enhance reporting accuracy, operational efficiencies, automation, and decision-making capabilities.

Key Qualifications and Attributes:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business discipline; CPA designation strongly preferred.

Eight or more years of progressive accounting and finance leadership experience, including senior-level responsibility within a manufacturing environment.

Thorough knowledge of GAAP accounting principles, financial reporting requirements, and internal control best practices.

Demonstrated experience leading budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, cash flow management, and strategic financial analysis.

Strong understanding of manufacturing finance, including cost accounting, inventory valuation, standard costing, and operational performance metrics.

Proven ability to consistently meet demanding monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and financial accuracy.

Experience developing productive relationships with executive leadership, banking partners, external auditors, tax advisors, and other key stakeholders while communicating complex financial information clearly and effectively.

Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and mentoring skills, with proficiency utilizing modern ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel to drive data-driven decision-making and continuous process improvement.

Compensation:

$170,000 - $200,000 plus bonus potential