Finance/AcctTeamLead/Sup-Gen

ZF; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 99,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Plan

Paid time off

401k Plan

Health Care Benefits

Paid Holidays

Job summary

ZF Wind Power US is seeking an Accounting & Finance Principal/Lead in Vernon Hills, IL to oversee the financial performance, budgeting, and cost management of the US entity. You will partner with Shared Services and Global Finance to drive transparency and strategic insights.

The role requires a Master’s degree with 8–12 years in finance/controlling in manufacturing, strong SAP CO/FI and Power BI skills, and English fluency. Travel within the US 5–10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 8–12 years of experience in controlling or financial management, ideally in manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting, manufacturing variances, plant KPIs, inventory valuation, and product costing.
• Experience budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance analysis at plant or business unit level.
• Fluency in English; occasional travel within US (5–10%).

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial management of the ZF Wind Power US Legal Entity.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and performance analysis.
• Collaborate with Shared Services / Global Finance to drive insights.

Skills

Budgeting & Forecasting

Cost accounting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Business partnering

Education

Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

SAP CO/FI

MS Office

Power BI

Job description

Finance/AcctTeamLead/Sup-Gen

Country/Region: US

Location:

Vernon Hills, IL, US, 60061

Req ID 88717 | Vernon Hills, United States ZF Services, LLC

What you can look forward to as an Accounting & Finance Principal/Lead

Lead the financial management of our ZF Wind Power US Legal Entity including:

• Financial Performance Management
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Cost Controlling & Cost Transparency
• Inventory & Asset Management
• Internal Controls & Compliance
• Business Partnering
• Capital Expenditure (Capex) Controlling
• Collaboration with Shared Services / Global Finance

Your profile as an Accounting & Finance Principal/Lead

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field
• 8–12 years of experience in controlling or financial management, ideally in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Strong understanding of cost accounting, manufacturing variances, plant KPIs, inventory valuation, and product costing
• Proven experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance analysis at plant or business unit level
• Experience working with Shared Service Centers or global finance organizations is considered a strong asset
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate operational data into financial insights
• Strong communication skills and the ability to partner with operational and technical teams
• Solid system knowledge: SAP (CO/FI modules), MS Office, and dashboarding tools (ideally Power BI)
• Occasional travel may be required (5-10%, primarily within the US)
• Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus but not required

Why you should choose ZF in Vernon Hills, IL

The expected base compensation for this role is $98,700- $123,400 Annually. Actual base compensation within the identified range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.

What We Offer:

• Annual Incentive Plan
• Paid time off
• 401k Plan
• Health Care Benefits
• Paid Holidays
• A supportive collaborative team environment
• A strong diverse culture
• Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice.

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility.

Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Aff…

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran

What does DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) mean for ZF as a company?

At ZF, we continuously strive to build and maintain a culture where inclusiveness is lived and diversity is valued. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that all our employees can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this vision in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape the future of mobility.

Find out how we work at ZF: