Finance Manager - Custom-Engineered Manufacturing
Why We're Hiring
We're looking for more than someone who can maintain our accounting records. We're looking for someone who can build a finance function that provides timely, accurate and meaningful information to help run the business.
This role is about creating confidence in the numbers. We want month-end completed on time, project costing that's accurate, reports that are readily available, and management equipped with the financial information it needs to make informed decisions. We value accuracy and timeliness above everything else in finance - the numbers must be right, and they must be ready when the business needs them.
At the same time, we're looking for someone who enjoys improving processes, optimizing business systems and making finance easier, faster and more valuable to the organization.
This is a hands-on role. The successful candidate will remain actively involved in the day-to-day accounting function while leading improvements across finance.
About Us
We are a privately owned North American manufacturer of custom-engineered bulk material handling equipment, serving customers across the continent and internationally. Because every project is engineered specifically for the customer's application, strong project costing, inventory management, manufacturing reporting and timely financial information are essential to our success. As we continue to grow, we're investing in stronger business systems, better reporting and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
What Success Looks Like
- Month-end is consistently completed accurately and on time, treated as a disciplined, non-negotiable process
- Financial reporting is timely, organized and meaningful
- Project costing is accurate and trusted
- Sales and profitability can be analyzed by customer, product, region or project with minimal effort
- Our ERP system is being utilized more effectively
- Manual spreadsheets are significantly reduced
- Finance processes are documented and scalable
- The finance function continually improves
Primary Responsibilities
Accounting Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day accounting function
- Complete and oversee month-end close
- Prepare accurate monthly financial statements and maintain the general ledger
- Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and cash management
- Coordinate year-end activities with external accountants
- Maintain strong financial controls
Financial Reporting & Business Intelligence
Develop reporting that helps management better understand the business - project, product, customer and geographic profitability; gross margin reporting; manufacturing KPIs; executive dashboards; and cash flow reporting.
Manufacturing Costing & Operational Support
Partner with Operations, Engineering and Purchasing on project/job costing, inventory valuation, work-in-process reporting, labour costing and variance analysis - identifying opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency and margins, and support data-driven decisions.
Business Systems & Process Improvement
Lead continuous improvement of finance systems and processes: optimizing our ERP system, improving reporting automation, reducing spreadsheet dependency, standardizing procedures and strengthening internal controls. Potential future projects include barcode inventory management, payroll modernization, workflow automation and enhanced dashboards.
Financial Stewardship
Work closely with leadership and our external accountants, tax advisors and banking partners - monitoring cash flow, supporting budgeting/forecasting, assisting with capital investment analysis, and proactively bringing forward financial risks, opportunities and recommendations.
Role within the Organization
This role leads the finance and accounting function and reports directly to the President, working closely with the executive team and functional leaders to provide financial reporting, analysis, forecasts, costing and recommendations.
Qualifications
- CPA designation preferred; equivalent senior manufacturing accounting experience also considered
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or Business
- 7–12 years of progressive accounting experience, including manufacturing accounting
- Strong understanding of project costing, inventory and financial reporting
- ERP experience required; mid-market ERP experience (e.g., Sage 300) a strong asset
- Advanced Excel and financial analysis skills
The Ideal Candidate
Someone who takes pride in accurate, reliable financial information; has a strong sense of urgency and personal accountability for getting results right and on time; enjoys improving systems and solving problems; works well cross-functionally; communicates financial information practically; and is comfortable balancing day-to-day accounting with driving improvement.
Why This Role Is Different
This isn't a role where you'll simply maintain the accounting function - it's an opportunity to build a finance function that gives management confidence in the numbers and helps the business operate more effectively. You'll work closely with the President and leadership team, influence how financial information is used across the company, and help modernize systems, reporting and processes.
The right person won't simply keep score. They'll build a finance function that helps everyone make better decisions.
