An established organization in Toronto, Canada is seeking an accomplished finance executive to take responsibility for its financial management, operational performance, and long-term financial planning.
This senior leadership opportunity combines financial oversight with active involvement in business operations. The successful candidate will bring sound financial judgment, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to translate financial information into practical business improvements.
The position requires an experienced leader who can balance strategic priorities with the day-to-day financial demands of a manufacturing environment, strengthen financial discipline, and contribute directly to business performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Finance and Business Leadership
- Provide direction and oversight across the finance function, ensuring financial activities support operational priorities and broader business objectives.
- Partner with senior management to evaluate financial performance, identify business opportunities, and support decisions affecting profitability and growth.
- Establish meaningful financial performance measures and provide clear recommendations to support effective decision-making.
- Assess the financial implications of major operational initiatives, business investments, and improvement programs.
- Promote financial accountability and commercially informed decision-making throughout the organization.
Financial Planning, Analysis and Performance
- Direct the preparation of annual budgets, periodic forecasts, and longer-term financial plans.
- Evaluate financial results against operating plans, investigate material variances, and recommend appropriate actions.
- Develop financial models and business cases to evaluate investment decisions, operating alternatives, and potential risks.
- Provide management with timely insights into profitability, cost trends, margins, and financial performance.
- Establish effective forecasting and performance-monitoring processes that support business planning.
Cash Flow and Working Capital
- Oversee cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning to support ongoing operations and anticipated business requirements.
- Monitor the financial impact of receivables, payables, inventory, operating expenditures, and capital commitments.
- Identify opportunities to improve cash conversion, working capital utilization, and financial efficiency.
- Evaluate financing requirements and potential financial exposures, recommending appropriate management actions.
Operational Finance and Cost Management
- Provide financial expertise to support manufacturing operations, cost management, and operational planning.
- Oversee product costing methodologies, inventory valuation, cost allocations, and analysis of manufacturing performance.
- Evaluate operating costs, production variances, resource utilization, and profitability drivers to identify improvement opportunities.
- Collaborate with operational management to assess productivity initiatives, process improvements, and cost optimization opportunities.
- Support the financial assessment of capital expenditures, equipment investments, and other operational projects.
- Maintain effective financial oversight of inventory-related transactions, valuation practices, and associated controls.
Financial Reporting, Governance and Risk
- Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery of financial and management reporting.
- Maintain appropriate accounting practices and reporting procedures in accordance with applicable financial reporting requirements.
- Establish and strengthen internal financial controls, policies, and governance procedures.
- Coordinate financial audit activities and support compliance with applicable tax, statutory, and corporate requirements.
- Identify significant financial risks and develop practical measures to address them.
- Evaluate opportunities to improve financial systems, reporting processes, data quality, and operational efficiency.
Team Leadership and Organizational Development
- Lead and develop a capable finance team with a clear focus on performance, accountability, and professional development.
- Establish clear responsibilities, performance expectations, and effective working relationships within the finance function.
- Provide coaching and development opportunities while supporting succession planning and organizational capability.
- Encourage collaboration between finance and other business functions to improve the quality and timeliness of financial information.
- Foster a culture of integrity, continuous improvement, and results-oriented performance.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- At least 10 years of progressive experience in finance, including substantial responsibility for financial management and team leadership.
- Demonstrated senior financial leadership experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Strong technical knowledge of manufacturing finance, including product costing, inventory accounting, operational cost analysis, and financial reporting.
- Extensive experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and analysis, cash flow management, and working capital optimization.
- Sound understanding of applicable accounting standards, financial controls, audit practices, and financial governance.
- Proven ability to improve financial performance through effective cost management, operational analysis, and financial planning.
- Practical experience using enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and integrated financial reporting tools.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with operational leaders and influence business decisions.
- Experience managing, mentoring, and developing finance professionals.
Preferred Qualifications
- CPA, CA, or an equivalent recognized professional accounting designation.
- MBA or another relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Experience in complex or regulated industrial environments.
- Involvement in financial systems implementations, reporting improvements, or organizational transformation initiatives.
- Demonstrated success in improving operating margins, working capital performance, or financial processes.
Leadership Attributes
- The successful candidate will demonstrate strong business judgment, integrity, and accountability, together with excellent analytical and interpersonal skills.
- We are seeking an individual who is comfortable working with senior stakeholders, addressing complex financial challenges, and balancing strategic considerations with practical operational requirements.
- The ability to develop constructive working relationships, communicate financial information clearly, and lead organizational improvements will be essential.