Director of Finance

Expert Connections; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

A leading automotive manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Director of Finance for North America to provide strategic financial leadership across multiple production facilities. This critical role involves developing financial strategies, overseeing budgets and forecasts, and driving continuous improvement in financial governance. Candidates should possess deep expertise in automotive finance, including advanced cost accounting and financial modeling skills, with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience. This full-time position is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offering competitive benefits including medical and vision insurance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of financial leadership experience in automotive manufacturing.
• Expert knowledge of standard costing and BOM structures.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.
• Experience with customer quoting, program financials, and OEM/Tier-1 commercial models.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgets and long-range financial planning.
• Oversee CAPEX planning for tooling and automation.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial systems and KPIs.
• Partner with plant and operational teams to monitor margins, scrap/rework, production efficiencies, and key performance metrics.
• Assess the financial impacts of customer programs, engineering changes, tooling amortization, and volume fluctuations typical in automotive environments.
• Lead scenario modeling for new product launches, platform changes, and OEM forecast adjustments.
• Ensure accurate monthly financial statements, operational variance analysis, and inventory cost reporting across all sites.
• Oversee standard costing, BOM accuracy, labor and overhead rates, and COGS alignment with automotive cost frameworks.
• Maintain strong internal controls and audit readiness to meet industry, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Lead and develop a high-performing regional finance team with strong automotive cost accounting expertise.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial systems, reporting processes, and KPIs.
• Collaborate with global finance and operations teams to share and implement best practices.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial modeling

Financial leadership

Operational acumen

Analytical problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business

Tools

Excel

Job description

A leading automotive manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Director of Finance, North America to provide strategic financial leadership across multiple production facilities. This high-visibility role partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, HR, and Plant Leadership to drive profitability, enhance cost structures, and maintain strong financial governance.

Success in this position requires deep expertise in automotive manufacturing finance, including cost accounting, program financials, and OEM/Tier-1 commercial models.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Serve as the regional financial authority for all North American manufacturing operations.
• Lead annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long-range financial planning aligned with production cycles and customer demand.
• Provide strategic financial insights to support commercial negotiations, pricing strategies, and program profitability.

Operational Finance & Automotive Support

• Partner with plant and operational teams to monitor margins, scrap/rework, production efficiencies, and key performance metrics.
• Assess the financial impacts of customer programs, engineering changes, tooling amortization, and volume fluctuations typical in automotive environments.
• Lead scenario modeling for new product launches, platform changes, and OEM forecast adjustments.
• Ensure accurate monthly financial statements, operational variance analysis, and inventory cost reporting across all sites.
• Oversee standard costing, BOM accuracy, labor and overhead rates, and COGS alignment with automotive cost frameworks.
• Maintain strong internal controls and audit readiness to meet industry, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Lead and develop a high-performing regional finance team with strong automotive cost accounting expertise.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial systems, reporting processes, and KPIs.
• Collaborate with global finance and operations teams to share and implement best practices.

Capital Management & Cash Optimization

• Oversee CAPEX planning for tooling, automation, equipment, and customer program launches.
• Support ROI modeling for new programs, major equipment investments, and operational footprint improvements.
• Lead working capital optimization initiatives with a focus on inventory turns, raw material management, and customer payment practices.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience in automotive manufacturing (Tier-1 or Tier-2 preferred).
• Expert knowledge of cost accounting, standard costing, BOM structures, and tooling amortization.
• Experience with customer quoting, program financials, and OEM/Tier-1 commercial models.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.

Preferred

• MBA, CPA, or CMA credential.
• Experience overseeing financial operations across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Background in Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence programs.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949 environments.

Core Competencies

• Strategic financial planning
• Operational and commercial acumen
• Leadership and team development
• Strong communication and executive presence
• Analytical and data‑driven problem solving
• Ability to thrive in fast‑paced OEM/Tier‑1 environments

About Expert Connections

Expert Connections is a boutique recruiting firm specializing in leadership and technical placements in manufacturing, automotive and automation industries. We partner closely with clients and candidates to deliver a high‑touch, insight‑driven search experience rooted in deep industry knowledge.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Finance, Accounting/Auditing, and Consulting
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing and Manufacturing

Inferred from the description for this job

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)