Ascension Search Partners has been engaged by a well established and industry leading manufacturing company who are hiring an Accounting & Finance Leader to drive financial performance at their DFW plant.

This role will serve as a key member of the plant leadership team, responsible for the financial oversight, analysis, and strategic decision-making that drives the plant's financial performance. This role combines traditional plant controlling responsibilities with a strong emphasis on financial planning, analysis, and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader with deep expertise in finance, accounting, and cost management within a manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Act as the financial business partner to the Plant Manager, providing insights and recommendations to drive financial performance and operational improvements.
• Develop, implement, and monitor financial strategies that align with corporate goals and objectives.
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring accuracy and alignment with plant and corporate expectations.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Perform detailed financial analysis, including variance analysis, cost management, and performance metrics, to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop and present financial models, scenarios, and reports to support decision-making and strategic planning.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide actionable insights to improve plant profitability and efficiency.

Cost Accounting & Control

• Oversee the plant’s cost accounting functions, including standard cost setting, variance analysis, and inventory management.
• Ensure accurate and timely month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes, including journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Analyze production costs, material variances, and labor expenses to optimize resource utilization and drive cost savings initiatives.

Operational Support & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with operations teams to identify areas of improvement and provide financial guidance on capital investments, cost reduction initiatives, and process optimization.
• Lead initiatives to enhance financial systems, controls, and procedures, ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Support Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives by providing financial data and analysis to measure effectiveness.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage, mentor, and develop a small team of accounting professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
• Drive accountability and performance within the finance team, ensuring high standards of accuracy, integrity, and compliance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in plant or manufacturing finance, with a strong background in cost accounting and financial planning & analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in managing budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels of the organization.