Finance Manager — Factory Profitability & Strategy

Smurfit Westrock; New Lenox (IL); On-site; USD 111,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-term bonus

Health, dental and vision insurance

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Finance Manager to act as the financial leader and strategic partner for one or more manufacturing facilities. You will drive financial performance, support operational excellence, and provide insights to improve profitability.

You will forecast, plan capital investments, and ensure strong financial controls while partnering with plant leadership to translate data into actionable recommendations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years progressive experience in finance, accounting, or business analysis roles.
• Strong financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, and accounting experience.
• Demonstrated ability to influence business decisions through financial analysis and strategic recommendations.
• Experience partnering with operational leaders and cross-functional teams to drive business outcomes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex financial concepts to non-finance audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and financial reporting systems.
• Ability to promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and monthly financial reporting processes for assigned facilities.
• Analyze financial and operational results, identify trends, and provide actionable recommendations to improve business performance.
• Partner with plant and commercial leaders to evaluate opportunities for revenue growth, margin expansion, and cost optimization, balancing financial and non-financial indicators.
• Monitor weekly and monthly performance metrics and communicate key insights to plant, area, and finance leadership.
• Develop and maintain financial models that support business decisions and long-term strategic planning.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to plant leadership by providing financial guidance and decision support.
• Collaborate with operations and commercial teams to improve profitability through pricing, productivity, operational efficiency, and customer analysis.
• Support workforce planning, productivity initiatives, and resource allocation decisions.
• Facilitate discussions and action plans that drive sustainable performance improvements across the business.
• Partner with site leadership to identify capital investment opportunities that support business growth and operational excellence.
• Prepare financial analyses and return-on-investment models for capital projects.
• Track investment performance and conduct post-implementation reviews to ensure expected business returns are achieved.
• Support long-range planning activities that position facilities for future success, striving to understand market and competitive landscape.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and financial reporting requirements.
• Oversee financial review processes, including inventory controls, balance sheet reviews, accruals, and fixed asset management.
• Partner with accounting teams to maintain accuracy and integrity of financial records.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen controls while maintaining operational efficiency and business value creation.
• Drive initiatives that improve cash flow, inventory performance, and working capital management.
• Support process improvements through technology, automation, and best practice sharing.
• Leverage data analytics and reporting tools to provide meaningful insights and enhance decision making.
• Educate and support site leadership teams in understanding and utilizing financial information to drive results.

Skills

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Budgeting

Strategic partnerships

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting

Tools

AS400

BPCS

Radius

Hyperion

Job description

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Finance Manager to act as the financial leader and strategic partner for one or more manufacturing facilities. You will drive financial performance, support operational excellence, and provide insights to improve profitability.

You will forecast, plan capital investments, and ensure strong financial controls while partnering with plant leadership to translate data into actionable recommendations.