A Vice President or Director of Finance manages the daily financial activities of a company or organization. Oversees accounting, bookkeeping, accounts receivables and payables, and financial administration.
The VP of Finance is the senior finance leader of the organization, reporting directly to the CEO and engaging regularly with the Board of Directors and private equity sponsor. Leading a team of 4 finance and accounting professionals, this role owns financial planning and analysis, accounting and reporting, cash and working capital management, and board/sponsor reporting, while also serving as a strategic partner to the CEO on pricing, capital allocation, and growth initiatives. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in a lean, hands-on environment where the finance leader is directly involved in execution — not just oversight — and is equally capable of building a board deck and closing the books.
Key Responsibilities:
Board & PE Sponsor Reporting Own preparation and delivery of monthly/quarterly board reporting packages — financials, KPIs, covenant compliance, and variance commentary Present financial results and outlook directly to the Board and PE sponsor; serve as the primary finance voice in board meetings Track performance against the PE firm's investment thesis and value creation plan, translating operational results into sponsor-relevant metrics Manage ad hoc data requests and portfolio reporting requirements from the PE firm Partner with the CEO on the narrative behind the numbers going into board meetings Financial Planning & Analysis Own the annual budget and rolling forecast process, including sales, COGS, and labor/overhead assumptions specific to manufacturing (run rates, line utilization, changeovers) Deliver monthly variance analysis against budget/forecast with clear narrative on drivers (input costs, labor, freight, customer mix) Build and maintain customer- and SKU-level profitability analysis Accounting & Reporting Oversee month-end/quarter-end close and ensure timely, accurate financial statements Maintain standard costing and variance reporting (material, labor, overhead) tied to production Ensure GAAP compliance and coordinate the annual audit Manage inventory accounting and cycle count reconciliation Cash & Working Capital Management Manage cash flow forecasting and daily liquidity Own working capital metrics and drive improvement initiatives Manage banking relationships, credit facility draws, and covenant compliance/reporting Strategic & Operational Support Partner with the CEO and operations leadership on capex planning/ROI analysis (equipment, capacity expansion) Support pricing strategy and customer profitability Provide financial due diligence support for potential add-on acquisitions Drive process/systems improvements (ERP, reporting automation) Team & Controls Manage and develop a team of 4 finance and accounting professionals, including hiring, performance management, and career development Maintain internal controls appropriate for a PE-owned business Serve as primary point of contact for tax preparers, insurers, and other outside advisors
Qualifications & Experience:
Education & Certifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required CPA strongly preferred; MBA a plus but not required CMA (Certified Management Accountant) a relevant alternative given the cost accounting/manufacturing emphasis Experience 10+ years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including meaningful time in a leadership role (Controller, VP Finance, Director of Finance, or similar) Manufacturing industry experience required Prior experience in a PE-owned or PE-backed company highly preferred — familiarity with sponsor reporting cadence, board deck expectations, and value creation plan tracking Demonstrated experience presenting to a board of directors or investor group Experience operating in a company in the $25M-$100M revenue range, where the finance leader wears multiple hats Track record of building or upgrading finance infrastructure (systems, reporting, controls) in a growing or PE-owned environment Technical Skills Strong grounding in cost accounting and standard costing methodology (material, labor, overhead variances) Advanced financial modeling and forecasting skills, including scenario/sensitivity analysis Hands-on ERP experience (e.g., NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP Business One, or similar mid-market systems common in manufacturing) Advanced Excel; experience with BI/reporting tools (Power BI, Tableau) a plus Working knowledge of banking/credit facility management, including covenant compliance and reporting Leadership & Soft Skills Strong executive presence and communication skills — able to distill complex financial data into clear, board-ready narratives Comfortable operating as a strategic partner to the CEO, not just a scorekeeper Experience managing and developing a finance/accounting team of similar size (3-5 professionals) Hands-on, low-ego approach appropriate for a lean, PE-owned manufacturing environment High integrity and comfort operating with the scrutiny and pace typical of PE ownership (tight reporting deadlines, frequent ad hoc requests)
