Director of Finance

Gateway Search Associates; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Gateway Search Associates, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA is seeking a strategic Director of Finance & Operations to oversee financial strategy, IT infrastructure, HR, and facilities, acting as a deputy to senior leadership.

The role requires hands-on leadership, GAAP reporting, cost analysis, budgeting, and cross-functional collaboration to drive profitability and efficiency in a niche manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in financial strategy, budgeting, compliance, and corporate accounting.

Responsibilities

• Formulate corporate budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow strategies.
• Produce GAAP-compliant monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead cost allocation and cost-saving initiatives across production lines.
• Manage banking relationships, insurance, and loan covenants.
• Coordinate periodic financial audits with external partners.
• Optimize product, inventory, and labor margins.
• Review vendor contracts and drive process improvements.
• Provide financial insights to production and sales teams.
• Direct day-to-day facility operations and admin functions.
• Mentor cross-functional admin team (GL, payroll, purchasing, HR).
• Oversee cybersecurity and ERP system integrity.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Budgeting and forecasting

GAAP reporting

ERP/IT systems

Inventory & cost accounting

Excel advanced

HR and operations oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

ERP software

Accounting systems

Job description

Philadelphia, United States

Our client, a well-established and growing specialty manufacturing organization, is seeking a strategic and hands-on Director of Finance & Operations. Serving as a key deputy to senior executive leadership, this cross-functional leader will oversee financial strategy, IT infrastructure, human resources, and facility operations. The ideal candidate will drive profitability and efficiency within a niche production environment, balancing high-level fiscal governance with day-to-day operational mentorship of a dedicated team.

Responsibilities

• Formulate comprehensive corporate budgeting, forecasting models, and cash flow strategies to support long-term growth.
• Produce timely, GAAP-compliant monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead cost allocation analysis and implement targeted cost-saving initiatives across production lines.
• Manage corporate banking relationships, secure risk management insurance policies, and maintain strict compliance with loan covenants.
• Coordinate and oversee periodic financial audits with external auditing partners.
• Optimize product, inventory, and labor margins utilizing standard, actual, or historic costing methodologies.
• Execute rigorous quote reviews to safeguard profit margins and ensure alignment with corporate pricing strategies.
• Provide financial insights, cost metrics, and performance data to production and sales teams to improve efficiency.
• Direct day-to-day facility operations and administrative functions, serving as a primary operational leader in the absence of senior executives.
• Review vendor contracts, negotiate favorable terms, and drive ongoing process improvements across all corporate services.
• Establish and track operational and financial benchmarks to measure executive and organizational performance.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a cross-functional administrative team handling general ledger accounting, payroll, purchasing, and human resources.
• Provide strategic oversight to internal technical personnel managing cybersecurity, data integrity, and corporate Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.
• Deliver clear, data-driven financial and operational updates to executive leadership and department managers.
  

Requirements

Bachelors in Accounting, Finance or related required.

5+ years of progressive leadership experience in financial strategy, budgeting, compliance, and corporate accounting.

Proven background working within a manufacturing, production, or cost-accounting environment, with deep familiarity with inventory and labor costing methodologies.

High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (advanced Excel) and hands-on experience navigating industrial ERP or automated accounting systems.

Demonstrated success managing cross-functional teams outside of pure accounting (such as IT, HR, or operations).