Vice President Finance

Alexander Daniels Global; California (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined path to CFO

Direct access to CEO

High visibility role

Job summary

A privately held advanced manufacturing company is seeking a Vice President of Finance to join its executive team in California. This pivotal role reports directly to the CEO and has a clear pathway to CFO. Responsibilities include leading the finance function, ensuring compliance with financial reporting, and developing a finance team. Candidates should have 8–10+ years in finance leadership, ideally in manufacturing or regulated environments. Strong governance and strategic partnership skills are essential for success in this influential position.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience.
• Experience in manufacturing or regulated industries is essential.
• Proven ability to operate in complex environments.
• Proven ability to lead and develop finance teams.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO on financial strategy and business planning.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Ensure GAAP/IFRS-compliant financial reporting.
• Establish strong financial controls and governance frameworks.
• Ensure GAAP/IFRS-compliant financial reporting and governance frameworks.
• Prepare and present Board-level financial materials and executive reporting.
• Act as trusted finance partner to operations, engineering, and manufacturing leadership.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic partnership

Operational finance

Financial reporting

Team development

Board reporting

Education

CPA or MBA

MBA

Security clearance eligibility

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Join to apply for the Vice President Finance role at Alexander Daniels Global

A privately held advanced manufacturing business operating in the aerospace, defense, and space sectors is seeking a Vice President of Finance to join its executive leadership team.

This high-impact, confidential hire has a clear progression to Chief Financial Officer. The role reports directly to the CEO and plays a central role in shaping the company’s financial strategy, operational discipline, and long-term growth.

The Role

As Vice President of Finance, you will lead the finance function end-to-end while acting as a strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership team. You will build financial clarity across the organisation, support complex manufacturing operations, and ensure strong governance in a regulated, high-accountability environment. Over time, and subject to performance, the role will formally evolve into the Chief Financial Officer position.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner directly with the CEO on financial strategy, business planning, and executive decision-making
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning aligned to growth objectives
• Develop and maintain robust cost models, cost centres, and pricing frameworks to support complex manufacturing economics
• Oversee cash forecasting, treasury, liquidity, and working capital management
• Ensure accurate and timely GAAP/IFRS-compliant financial reporting
• Own inventory valuation, fixed assets, capex planning, and asset disposition
• Establish and enforce strong financial controls, policies, and governance frameworks
• Manage risk, insurance, compliance, and regulatory requirements
• Prepare and present Board-level financial materials and executive reporting
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team
• Act as a trusted finance partner to operations, engineering, and manufacturing leadership

Candidate Profile

This role is designed for a senior finance leader ready to take the final step toward a true CFO position.

Required Experience

• 8–10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience
• Strong background in manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or other regulated industrial environments
• Deep experience across FP&A, cost accounting, pricing, inventory, and operational finance
• Regular exposure to executive leadership teams and Board-level reporting
• Proven ability to operate in complex, multi-entity or high-accountability environments
• Experience leading and developing finance teams

Highly Desirable

• Experience working in defense contracting or secure customer environments
• Familiarity with SOX, JSOX, DS, or similar control frameworks
• ERP implementation or optimisation experience (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent)
• CPA, MBA, or equivalent professional qualification
• Must be eligible to obtain or maintain a DoD security clearance

Why Consider This Role

• Defined path to CFO with real responsibility from day one
• Direct access to and partnership with the CEO
• Opportunity to operate at the intersection of advanced manufacturing and national security
• High visibility role with meaningful influence over strategy and execution
• Chance to shape and scale a finance function in a complex, growing business

This search is being conducted on a confidential basis. Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates following an initial discussion.