Our client is seeking a hands-on Finance Director/Controller to lead day-to-day financial operations for its U.S. business, drive an ERP implementation as part of its integration into a larger international group, and serve as a true finance business partner to leadership through a period of rapid growth.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Own day-to-day financial operations and oversee the local accounting/administration team (accounting, payroll, banking, accounts payable, and billing functions) Lead the U.S. side of an ERP implementation (SAP), replacing the legacy system, including inventory tracking, costing, and bill-of-materials setupRun monthly physical/perpetual inventory counts and closes to accurately calculate marginMaintain regular, hands-on presence across operations (warehouse, logistics, plant floor) to understand first-hand where financial and inventory data originates — this is not a desk-only roleProvide technical accounting support to the local team on more complex journal entries and transactionsMaintain rolling revenue and margin forecasts and proactively escalate emerging risks or variances to leadership in real time, ahead of period closePrepare monthly, quarterly, and half-year financial reporting packages for the parent company's HQ, including in-depth variance analysis (actual vs. budget and prior period) on revenue, margin, and net financial positionSupport quarterly consolidated reporting required under the group's senior credit facility covenantsPartner with external auditors and tax advisors on annual financial statements and related tax filingsManage working capital, cash flow, and the short-term credit line; support negotiation of a new Capex credit facilityProvide hands-on financial and margin analysis (cost of goods, first margin, pricing) in partnership with sales and operations leadership, including monitoring and timely execution of price increases to protect marginQUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCEPrior experience as a Controller, Finance Director, or senior financial/accounting leader in a manufacturing or distribution businessHands-on, detail-oriented approach — comfortable working at the transaction level and spending time in operations, not just reviewing reports from a deskExperience with ERP implementations (SAP strongly preferred), including inventory, costing, and bill-of-materials setupStrong controlling/FP&A orientation combined with solid core accounting fundamentalsExperience working with external auditors and tax advisors on annual financial statements and complianceComfortable building process and working with a lean team in a still-maturing finance functionAvailable to work on-site in New Jersey daily; this is not a remote positionPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSBackground in food & beverage, CPG, or a similar distribution/manufacturing industry (a plus, not required) Experience in a private-equity-backed or multinational group environmentExposure to both U.S. GAAP and IFRS reportingCOMPENSATION & BENEFITSCompetitive base salary plus annual performance bonus tied to company financial KPIs (e.g., EBITDA, net financial position) Choice of three medical plans through a national carrier (HSA-eligible EPO, EPO, and PPO), with employee-only contributions as low as $0 per pay period 401(k) plan with immediate eligibility (minimum age 21, no waiting period) and a 3% employer safe harbor contribution for all eligible participants, immediately 100% vestedRelocation assistance open for discussion for the right candidate
