Vice President Finance

Purple Squirrel Advisors; Michigan; On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Purple Squirrel Advisors is seeking a Vice President of Finance in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This high-impact role requires an expert in financial leadership, managing budgeting, forecasting, and providing strategic insights to the executive team.

The successful candidate will bolster financial operations within a dynamic manufacturing environment, emphasizing collaboration and leadership. Ideal applicants will possess strong analytical and communication skills, along with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, and significant industry experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of accounting and financial management experience
• Proven success operating in high-growth, fast-paced environments
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function as a strategic partner to the CEO
• Manage financial planning activities including forecasting and budgeting
• Oversee and develop existing accounting staff

Skills

Strategic leadership

Manufacturing finance

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Job description

This is a high-impact finance leadership role based in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, ideal for a strategic, hands-on professional who thrives on ownership, visibility, and driving business results. The Vice President of Finance will provide executive-level financial leadership across accounting, reporting, risk management, operations, and sales support. Reporting to the CEO, the Vice President of Finance will provide financial stability, discipline, and continuity while supporting the growth of a complex manufacturing organization.

This role is critical in a lean team environment, with the executive expected to fill gaps across finance operations, directly oversee procurement and supply chain, and build a scalable finance function. Success requires strong accounting and financial leadership, strategic judgment, resilience, and adaptability in a fast-moving, mission-driven business.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the company’s finance function as a strategic and operational partner to the CEO and leadership team, providing insight that supports sound decision-making across the business.
• Manage financial planning activities, including forecasting, budgeting, reporting, and performance analysis, with an emphasis on supporting a growing manufacturing organization.
• Manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities, maintaining reliable financial records and supporting timely internal reporting.
• Oversee and develop the existing accounting staff, providing direction, coaching, and structure to support strong execution and accountability.
• Serve as a key finance contact for the organization while also coordinating with the parent company finance team and other stakeholders as needed.
• Own the company’s financial reporting rhythm and ensure the business is prepared to meet the cadence, close expectations, and reporting requirements of its parent company.
• Help implement and follow appropriate financial procedures, documentation, and compliance practices required by a larger organization.
• Responsible for timely and successful audits, external reporting needs, and other finance-related requests by organizing information and supporting stakeholder communication.
• Review and strengthen cost accounting practices, including evaluating existing standards against current production realities and improving financial visibility into manufacturing performance.
• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, and operations leaders to monitor inventory, cost drivers, and business metrics that influence profitability and execution.
• Evaluate existing workflows and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen controls, and reduce manual effort.
• Step into urgent and evolving priorities with a hands-on mindset, addressing both routine financial responsibilities and high-value ad hoc business needs.
• Develop the company’s supply chain strategy along with the executive team and implement the strategy along with the procurement team.
• Coordinate efforts with Human Resources, IT, Marketing, and Corporate Services to deliver superior stakeholder experiences.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Strategic & Hands-On Leader: Trusted advisor to the executive team, able to balance big-picture strategy with hands-on execution in a fast-moving, high-impact environment.
• Manufacturing & Operations Partner: Strong background in manufacturing finance, with experience translating complex data into actionable insights across operations, supply chain, engineering, and commercial teams.
• Influential Decision-Maker: Confident navigating complex organizations, building alignment across stakeholders, and providing clear, constructive guidance with executive presence.
• Execution & Adaptability: Takes ownership, drives results, and thrives in entrepreneurial settings. Comfortable making decisions with incomplete information and learning quickly while leading a lean, high-performing team.
• Enterprise Leadership & Cultural Stewardship: Embodies an ownership mindset, acting as a visible and influential leader who shapes culture, inspires performance, and represents the organization with credibility and integrity across all internal and external stakeholders.

EDUCATION & TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• Minimum of five years of accounting and financial management experience within best-in-class manufacturing environments
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgment; ability to gather data, build models, and make informed decisions based on trends and experience
• Proven success operating in a high-growth, fast-paced environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across teams
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in highly collaborative environments with a team-oriented approach to problem-solving
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to motivate others, drive results, and foster a positive, high-morale team culture
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA and/or MBA preferred
• 10+ years of experience across both large and small companies, with a track record of supporting product launches from prototype through mass production, including at least three years in a senior operational leadership role
• Experience operating within ISO 9001-certified environments
• Deep expertise in industry-leading best practices, such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and structured product development processes