Financial Director

Confidential; London; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Finance Director in London, Ontario. Responsible for financial management and strategic planning, this role encompasses budgeting, analysis, and internal controls to support business growth. The ideal candidate will possess a relevant degree, significant industry experience, and strong leadership skills.

Benefits

Comprehensive Benefits

Professional Development Opportunities

Travel Opportunities

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive finance experience in an industrial manufacturer.
• Preferred experience as Plant Controller.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting and financial planning processes.
• Oversee accounting functions and ensure accuracy of financial reporting.
• Manage cash flow and financial forecasting.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Financial Analysis

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

MBA

CPA/CMA Certification

Job description

The Finance Director – Canada will serve as a member of the North American leadership team and report to the Managing Director – Canada with a dotted line to the Enterprise Chief Financial Officer. The Finance Director – Canada will provide the financial framework that enables the site’s operations, contributes to identifying costs and efficiencies, supports pricing and quoting, assures internal controls, and creates the financial foundation on which to grow the business. The role’s primary day-to-day responsibilities include budgeting and planning, general accounting, variance analysis, costing, payables, order entry, billing, bill of materials, business analysis, and financial reporting. This operation has approximately CAD 200 million in revenue.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy Planning and Management

• Support the long-term operational goals, budgets, and forecasts.
• Identify and implement processes and systems to provide critical financial/operational information to manage, enable, guide, and scale.
• Assist in preparing quotes for OEM customers by accurately capturing various cost items in quotation processes.
• Collaborate with global counterparts based in European headquarters on financial-related matters, such as transfer pricing, royalty calculation, and tooling transfer.

Lead Strategy, Planning, and Management

• Act as Finance Manager/Controller and Business Partner to the regional leadership team. Serve as a key member of the finance team.
• Assess and evaluate the financial performance of the division against long-term operational goals, budgets, and forecasts.
• Provide insight and recommendations to both short-term and long-term growth plans of the division.
• Support ERP systems and software to provide critical financial and operational information. Evaluate departments and make suggestions for automating processes and increasing working efficiency.
• Create and establish yearly divisional financial objectives that align with the company's plan for growth and expansion.
• Oversee controls and payback calculations of capital expenditures.
• Support consultants and auditors as directed/engaged by the shared services group.

Direct Financial Analysis, Budgeting, and Forecasting

• Prepare and present division monthly financial budgeting reports, monthly profit and loss, forecast, and variance reports.
• Review and analyze monthly financial results and provide recommendations.
• Maintain monthly operating budget and annual division operating budget.
• Provide the FP&A function for the division. Participate in the creation of reports, software, and tools for budgeting and forecasting.
• Participate in periodic conference calls with operations management, vendors, and the shared service leadership team.
• Prepare periodic sales variance reports and explain variations to the plan and/or trends.
• Work with the sales team to validate/audit all customer pricing changes.

Oversee Accounting, General Ledger, Administration, and Operations

• Lead the accounting department to ensure the proper functioning of all systems, databases, and financial software. Ensure regular maintenance and backup of all accounting systems. Supervise division financial staff.
• Review and ensure application of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures.
• Ensure the timeliness and accuracy of financial and management reporting data.
• Monitor financial information and provide for the preparation and timely filing of all local, provincial, and federal tax returns.
• Manage/participate in the month-end close process, constantly reviewing procedures while eliminating inefficiencies.
• Review all month-end closing activities, including general ledger accounts, balance sheet accounts, and overhead cost allocation.
• Recruit, interview, hire, develop, and manage finance, accounting, and payroll staff as required.
• Serve as a key point of contact for external auditors related to the division. Manage the preparation and support of all external audits.

Manage Cost and Inventory Accounting

• Understand bills of materials [BOM] to ensure product costs are accurate and accounted for properly.
• Ensure timely and accurate input of bills of materials and price code changes.
• Ensure that bills of materials and costing accurately reflect production operations.
• Analyze potential excess and obsolete inventory items as necessary.
• Attend daily production meetings to understand all operational decisions affecting the business.
• Ensure accuracy of the physical inventory and reported results. Investigate and explain book to physical adjustments.
• Review scrap sales reporting to ensure accuracy.

Direct Cash Management for the Division

• Oversee weekly cash management.
• Oversee the Accounts Payable Department, approve/review large payables, sign checks, and authorize large wires and ACHs.
• Supervise Accounts Receivable management and provide guidance relating to the collection process.
• Work with the Division Operations Team to reduce inventory levels and approve the Net Working Capital position.

Serve as Finance Business Partner for the Division[s]

• Attend all AP/QP meetings.
• Provide support for financial review meetings and review/approve financial-related KPI data.
• Perform periodic walkthroughs of the plant with the Operations Manager/General Manager to discuss production and cost issues.
• Review labor reporting and cost, material cost, manufacturing overhead, distribution cost, quality cost, and inventory levels.
• Conduct formal meetings with manufacturing, finance, and management personnel to discuss all plant issues. Develop and publish a formal agenda and recap with actions to be taken.

THE PERSON

Education

A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with a specialization in financial control from a university or technical school. Additional education, such as an MBA, and certification, such as a CPA/CMA, is desired. Experience with IFRS standards and requirements is helpful.

Experience

• Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience on a finance team in an industrial manufacturer.
• Experience as a Plant Controller is preferred; experience as an Assistant Plant Controller in a larger operation will be considered.
• A background in Lean Administrative Processes. Accounting experience in a company that operates Lean Manufacturing Processes to include IATF, process flow, 5s, inventory reduction, and value stream mapping, would be beneficial.
• Automotive industry experience would be an added plus.

Other Requirements

• Proven leadership and team-building skills. Possesses strong leadership skills and ability.
• Strong communication and presentation skills – written and oral. Language skills, beyond English, would be nice.
• Experience in strategic planning and execution. Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
• Ability to develop financial plans and manage resources. Displays advanced math skills.
• Strong project management skills. A demonstrated “hands-on” approach.
• Proven negotiation and mediation skills. Excellent analytical and reasoning skills.
• Ability to effectively facilitate problem-solving and resolution.
• Versed in statistical data entry and utilization of trend analysis.
• Knowledge of contracting, negotiating, and change management
• Unquestioned integrity.

Travel

• Must be willing to travel up to 10% to visit customers, suppliers, and other manufacturing sites.