Finance Director

Waukegan Steel, LLC; Pleasant Prairie (WI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Waukegan Steel, LLC in Pleasant Prairie, WI is seeking a Finance Director to lead finance, accounting, FP&A, budgeting, and reporting across the group. You will oversee Controllers, drive performance, and partner with the President on strategic initiatives, pricing and working capital optimization.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in project-based manufacturing finance, CPA or MBA preferred, strong Excel modeling, ERP experience, and a hands-on leadership style that drives discipline and growth.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive accounting, FP&A, and operational finance experience in project-based manufacturing.
• Experience leading finance teams in manufacturing/construction environments is preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Excel, financial modeling, ERP systems and data analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual operating plan, strategic planning, quarterly forecasts, and monthly projections.
• Analyze profitability by customer, project, and business segment to improve margins.
• Develop monthly financial reviews and bridge analyses explaining variances.
• Provide financial modeling and scenario analysis for capital investments and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with operations and leadership on pricing and contract opportunities for profitable growth.
• Lead continuous improvement of financial processes, systems, data analytics and reporting.

Skills

FP&A

Accounting

Budgeting

Financial modeling

ERP systems

Data analytics

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

CPA

MBA

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

Founded in 1929, Waukegan Steel is a structural steel fabricator delivering precision steel fabrication and structural steel solutions across the Midwest. Serving a broad range of markets with state-of-the-art fabrication operations, we’ve earned long-standing relationships with Owners, General Contractors, and Construction Managers by consistently exceeding expectations. Our team has worked on various Chicagoland projects throughout the city including, Soldier Field, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Navy Pier and have significantly expanded our Midwest footprint to include Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Position Summary

Reporting to the VP of Finance of National Material L.P. (NMLP), with a strong dotted-line relationship to the President of Waukegan Steel, this position is a key member of the leadership team responsible for driving financial performance, operational excellence, and strategic growth across several business units within the Steel Fabrication Group (“Group”). The Finance Director will have their own embedded accounting teams led by a controller for the respective business unit. The position is based out of Waukegan Steel’s new Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin facility.

The Finance Director will be responsible for all aspects of finance, accounting, financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, project accounting, internal controls, and financial reporting for the Group. The position directly oversees the Controllers within the Group and works and partners closely with NMLP Corporate Finance and Accounting on planning, reporting, controls, treasury, and strategic initiatives.

As the primary financial advisor to the President, the Finance Director provides critical insight and recommendations regarding strategy, capital investments, pricing and quoting, customer profitability, working capital management, and business development opportunities. The role is also responsible for developing a high-performing finance organization, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring the integrity of the company’s financial reporting and control environment.

• Lead the annual operating plan, strategic planning process, quarterly forecasts, and monthly financial projections.
• Analyze and monitor profitability by customer, project, and business segment, identifying opportunities to improve margins and operational performance.
• Develop monthly financial review and quarterly business packages, including financial performance analysis, forecast updates, customer profitability reviews, and bridge analyses explaining key variances.
• Provide financial modeling, scenario analysis, and decision support for capital investments, strategic initiatives and business development opportunities.
• Partner with operations and commercial leadership to evaluate quoting, pricing, and contract opportunities to ensure profitable growth.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to financial processes, systems, data analytics and reporting capabilities.
• Ensure the timely, accurate, and complete delivery of monthly, quarterly and annual financial results including overseeing the month end close process for all three businesses.
• Oversee revenue recognition, project accounting, and percentage-of-completion accounting to ensure compliance with company policies and applicable accounting standards.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment that safeguards company assets and supports accurate financial reporting.
• Direct annual physical inventory counts and reconciliation processes.
• Partner with internal and external auditors to support audit execution and timely resolution of accounting and control matters.
• Ensure compliance with corporate accounting policies, internal controls, and reporting requirements.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead and develop the finance organization, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold the team accountable for achieving financial and operational objectives.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships and lead initiatives that improve profitability, efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.
• Serve as a trusted business partner and advisor to the President and leadership team.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of business strategy, customer dynamics, operational drivers, and market conditions to support sound decision making.
• Identify, develop, and retain high-performing talent while building succession depth within the finance organization.

Ideal Background

The successful candidate will possess a strong combination of accounting, FP&A, and operational finance experience within project-based manufacturing and construction environments.

The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with a hands‑on leadership style and is capable of moving seamlessly between executive‑level decision support and detailed financial analysis. This individual will possess the credibility, business acumen, and executive presence necessary to influence senior leaders while maintaining strong financial discipline and controls.

The candidate should demonstrate expertise in financial statement analysis, cash flow management, working capital optimization, return on working capital (ROWC), return on invested capital (ROIC), and project-based accounting environments.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting, FP&A, and operational finance experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Experience leading finance teams in manufacturing, construction, industrial, or distribution environments preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Excel, financial modeling, ERP systems, and data analytics tools.

Leadership Characteristics

• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to ethical business practices.
• Hands‑on, results‑oriented leader with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.
• Assertive, intellectually curious, humble, and collaborative.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Straightforward, approachable leadership style that fosters teamwork and trust.
• Leads by example and inspires others to achieve high levels of performance.
• Comfortable, addressing difficult issues, making decisions, and driving positive organizational change.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making capabilities.