Finance Director

The Newcastle Search Group, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Newcastle Search Group, partnering with Pregis, is seeking a Finance Director to lead financial strategy, performance, and growth within its manufacturing operations. This hands-on leader will own the finance function for a newly acquired business and partner closely with executive and operational leadership to build a high-performing team as the organization scales.

The role oversees financial planning and analysis, reporting, cost accounting, and internal controls while driving

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or economics; MBA preferred.
• 7–15 years of relevant manufacturing experience.
• At least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Experience with cost accounting and manufacturing costing.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial close, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Partner with executive, commercial, supply chain, and plant leadership to improve financial and operational performance.
• Oversee a multi-million-dollar P&L, driving profitability and cost management.
• Direct standard costing, product costing, inventory management, and cost accounting activities.
• Manage cash flow, working capital, capital expenditures, and balance sheet performance.
• Provide financial analysis and guidance for strategic initiatives, acquisitions, expansion plans, and capital investments.
• Establish strong internal controls, financial governance, and compliance with accounting standards.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing finance team as the business grows.

Skills

Financial leadership

Operational finance

P&L management

Cost accounting

Cash flow management

Team leadership

Strategic analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/accounting/economics

MBA preferred

Job description

The Newcastle Search Group is partnering with Pregis to identify a Finance Director to lead financial strategy, operational performance, and business growth within its manufacturing operations.

This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on finance leader to take ownership of the finance function within a newly acquired business, partner closely with executive and operational leadership, and build a high-performing finance team as the organization scales. The business is pursuing an ambitious five-year growth strategy targeting more than 5x growth.

Position Overview

This is a fully onsite role with up to 50% travel to manufacturing sites in Indiana and Nebraska.

The Finance Director will oversee financial planning and analysis, reporting, cost accounting, financial controls, and operational finance. Working closely with the business unit president and leadership team, this individual will drive profitability, strengthen financial processes, optimize working capital, and support strategic decision-making.

Initially, this will be a standalone finance leadership role, requiring someone comfortable rolling up their sleeves and managing day-to-day financial responsibilities while building the foundation for future team growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead financial close, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Partner with executive, commercial, supply chain, and plant leadership to improve financial and operational performance.
• Oversee a multi-million-dollar P&L, driving profitability, cost management, and financial accountability.
• Direct standard costing, product costing, inventory management, and cost accounting activities.
• Manage cash flow, working capital, capital expenditures, and balance sheet performance.
• Provide financial analysis and guidance for strategic initiatives, acquisitions, expansion plans, and capital investments.
• Establish strong internal controls, financial governance, and compliance with accounting standards.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing finance team as the business grows.

Qualifications

• 7-15 years of relevant experience, preferably within manufacturing or a related industry.
• Progressive financial leadership experience, including at least three years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated operational finance experience and responsibility for a multi-million-dollar P&L.
• Experience in product manufacturing and cost accounting strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; MBA preferred.