Finance Director — Manufacturing, Growth & Controls

Vaco by Highspring; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring in the RTP area seeks a Director of Finance to own accounting, reporting, planning and analysis, controls, compliance, and business partnering. This hands-on leadership role requires a strong manufacturing finance background and the ability to build processes, establish structure, and strengthen financial operations during growth.

You will lead month-end close, budgeting, variance analysis, audits, and cash management while partnering with operations, HR, and senior leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Extensive accounting and finance experience, including month end close, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and financial analysis in a Manufacturing environment.
• SAP experience required.
• Strong analytical, systems, and business‑partnering skills, with the ability to work independently, establish priorities, and build structure in a developing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function, building scalable accounting processes, reporting capabilities, controls, and financial infrastructure.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with applicable accounting standards and corporate requirements.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and management reporting to support financial and operational decision-making.
• Develop and maintain internal controls, support tax and regulatory compliance, and coordinate internal and external audits.
• Analyze costs, margins, and profitability to identify opportunities to improve financial performance and operational efficiency.
• Manage cash flow and working capital, including receivables, payables, inventory, and liquidity.
• Partner with operations, HR, commercial teams, and senior leadership on financial planning, business performance, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop the local finance team over time, establishing clear roles, priorities, and scalable processes.
• Drive process improvements, system enhancements, and automation initiatives to support the company’s continued expansion.

Skills

Financial analysis

Strategic partnering

Month-end close

Internal controls

Budgeting & forecasting

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Process improvement

Financial systems

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

SAP

Job description

Vaco by Highspring in the RTP area seeks a Director of Finance to own accounting, reporting, planning and analysis, controls, compliance, and business partnering. This hands-on leadership role requires a strong manufacturing finance background and the ability to build processes, establish structure, and strengthen financial operations during growth.

You will lead month-end close, budgeting, variance analysis, audits, and cash management while partnering with operations, HR, and senior leadership