Finance Manager - Operations

Old World Industries; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Company-matching 401(k)

Company-paid life insurance and AD&D

Identity theft insurance

Company-paid disability

Flexible spending and HSA

Employee assistance program

Paid time off and holidays

Additional benefits including: life, &

Pet insurance

Job summary

Old World Industries in Northbrook, IL seeks a Finance Operations/Inventory Manager responsible for the financial oversight of inventory across the company. You will partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Accounting and Commercial teams to ensure accurate valuation, strong controls, working capital management and actionable insights.

You will lead month-end to year-end close activities, analyze inventory metrics, develop forecasts and scenarios, and drive improvements in SAP and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance or related field required.
• 7+ years in finance/accounting with inventory emphasis.
• CPA/CMA/MBA preferred.
• Strong knowledge of inventory valuation, standard costing, and financial close.
• Experience designing and maintaining internal controls over inventory.

Responsibilities

• Own inventory financial analysis across raw materials, WIP and finished goods.
• Lead month-, quarter-, and year-end close for inventory with reconciliations.
• Analyze inventory balances, turns, aging, obsolescence, shrink and cycle-count results.
• Develop inventory forecasts and working capital plans with cross-functional partners.
• Monitor variances, root causes, and corrective actions with stakeholders.
• Establish internal controls for inventory transactions and costing.
• Coordinate physical inventories and cycle counts; resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare inventory reporting and commentary for reviews and audits.
• Drive improvements in SAP and Power BI processes and data quality.

Skills

Data analysis

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel/Power BI proficiency

Cost accounting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Power BI

OneStream

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Job description

Position Purpose:

Reporting to the Director of Operations Finance, the Finance Operations/Inventory Manager will lead the financial oversight of inventory across the company. This role partners with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Accounting, and Commercial teams to ensure accurate inventory valuation, strong internal controls, effective working capital management, and actionable financial insights that support operational and strategic decisions.

Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilities:

• Own inventory financial analysis across raw materials, work in process, and finished goods, held at company and third-party locations.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation in accordance with company policies and applicable accounting standards, including standard costs, reserves and period-end adjustments.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end inventory close activities, including reconciliations, journal entries, variance analysis, and management reporting.
• Analyze inventory balances, turns, days on hand, aging, excess and obsolete exposure, shrink, cycle-count results, and other key performance indicators; translate findings into clear actions and recommendations.
• Develop and maintain inventory forecasts, working capital plans, and scenario models in partnership with Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement, and Commercial teams.
• Monitor purchase price, usage, yield, scrap, mix, volume, and other manufacturing variances; identify root causes and partner with stakeholders on corrective actions.
• Establish, document, and maintain effective internal controls, policies, and procedures for inventory transactions, master data, costing, physical inventory, and financial reporting.
• Coordinate annual physical inventories and ongoing cycle-count programs across company and third-party sites; investigate discrepancies and ensure timely resolution.
• Assess inventory reserve requirements for excess, obsolete, slow-moving, damaged, and at-risk inventory; prepare supporting analyses and recommendations for leadership approval.
• Prepare inventory reporting and commentary for monthly business reviews, forecasts, annual operating plans, audits, and leadership presentations.
• Partner with internal and external auditors by providing documentation, control evidence, analyses, and timely responses related to inventory and cost accounting.
• Drive improvements in inventory processes, reporting, systems, and data quality, including automation and standardization opportunities within SAP and Power BI related tools.
• Provide financial guidance on inventory reduction, service-level tradeoffs, sourcing decisions, product transitions, and other initiatives affecting working capital and profitability.
• Support the Director of Operations Finance with ad hoc analyses and strategic projects as required.

Education, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive finance or accounting experience, including significant responsibility for inventory, cost accounting, or manufacturing finance.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• Strong knowledge of inventory valuation, standard costing, reserves, manufacturing variances, reconciliations, and financial close processes.
• Demonstrated experience designing, improving, and maintaining internal controls over inventory and cost accounting.
• Proven ability to analyze large, complex data sets and convert findings into concise financial insights, recommendations, and action plans.
• Experience with inventory forecasting, working capital management, annual planning, and periodic financial forecasts.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, and warehousing processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts to operational and executive audiences.
• Ability to build effective cross-functional relationships, influence decisions, and lead process improvements without direct authority.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of Word, Power BI. OneStream and PowerPoint; experience with business intelligence or data visualization tools is preferred.
• SAP experience, including inventory and cost-related functionality, is preferred.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Willingness to travel within the region to support physical inventories, audits, and operational reviews (15% travel)

This opportunity offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness benefits
• Company-matching 401(k) plan
• Company-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment benefits
• Company-paid identity theft insurance
• Company-paid disability
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Company-paid employee assistance program
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Additional benefits included: voluntary life insurance, legal benefits, critical illness, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, and pet insurance

Old World Industries is among the largest privately held companies competing in the automotive aftermarket today. Built upon a 50-year history of ingenuity, the Northbrook, Illinois-based company is transforming the automotive, commercial and chemical industries that keep the world moving forward. Old World’s brands include a full line of PEAK® Performance Automotive Aftermarket Products including Antifreeze/Coolant, Washer Fluid, Lighting and Wiper Blades; BlueDEF® Diesel Exhaust Fluid and Equipment; FINAL CHARGE® PRO-SERIES Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolant, Fleet Charge® SCA Precharged Heavy Duty Coolant and Thermal Charge® Heat Transfer Fluid.