Head of Finance

The client are a fast growing industrial machinery supplier, for the manufacturing and production sector. The head office of the company is based in Germany and they are looking for a Head of Finance to oversee the finance and accounting operations here in the US. The role is based in Norcross (GA) and they are looking for a candidate that can be a strategic partner to the global CFO.

Client Details

The client are owned by a large global manufacturing company in Germany. The US arm of the business operate as a supplier of machinery to the packaging, manufacturing and production industries across North America. They own and manage a few warehouses across the US and they are looking for a leader to join the team and head up the finance and accounting team.

The US head office is based in Norcross (GA) and the successful candidate will be overseeing a team of 3 direct reports.

Description

The successful Head of Finance will:

Financial Operations & Reporting

• Own all general ledger activity, journal entries, reconciliations, and month/quarter/year-end close processes, ensuring all deadlines are met with precision.
• Prepare, review, and present accurate financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) to North American leadership and corporate finance teams.

Treasury

• Manage all payment processes, liquidity across bank accounts and align with group on excess liquidity.
• Develop and maintain cash flow forecasting tools that provide leadership real-time financial visibility into working capital and runway.
• Manage accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll accounting, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across all transnational functions.

Cost Accounting & Inventory

• Partner with the operations and service teams to track and analyze cost of goods sold, spare parts inventory, and machine installation project costs.
• Develop and maintain standard costing models, variance analysis, and inventory valuation practices tailored to a capital equipment distribution and service business.
• Oversee inventory cycle counts and lead the annual physical inventory process, ensuring accuracy of spare parts and equipment inventory records.
• Provide financial oversight of capital expenditure projects and support ROI analysis for new equipment investments.

Compliance, Controls & Audit

• Maintain and monitor an effective system of internal accounting and financial reporting controls; ensure compliance with GAAP, corporate accounting policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate and support internal and external audit processes - interfacing directly with external auditors on timing, deliverables, and the year-end audit cycle - ensuring all documentation, reconciliations, and controls meet audit standards.
• Partner with external tax providers on federal, state, and local tax filings, including sales tax and payroll tax compliance across applicable jurisdictions.
• Maintain fixed asset records, depreciation schedules, and proper capitalization policies.

Planning, Forecasting & Strategic Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with the CEO and department heads; develop rolling forecasts and scenario planning tools to maintain up-to-date financial visibility.
• Partner with Sales and Operations to build financial models that support strategic decisions including pricing, market expansion, and capital allocation.
• Develop and manage consolidated reporting packages for North American leadership and board-level reporting; streamline and continually improve master closing package templates and reporting schedules to ensure compliance with internal deadlines.
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis to support key business initiatives.

Systems, Processes & Team Leadership

• Manage and mentor the accounting team, establishing clear performance expectations, providing ongoing coaching, and fostering a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead and optimize ERP usage for all finance and accounting functions; identify opportunities for automation and process improvement.
• Develop and document scalable accounting processes, close checklists, and internal control frameworks that grow with the business.
• Liaise with finance and accounting counterparts (at the parent company) to align policies, reporting formats, and intercompany accounting.

Profile

The successful Head of Finance will:

• Have over 7 years of experience of relevant finance and accounting experience
• MUST have prior experience leading a team
• MUST have exposure to a B2B supplier environment (ideally from industrial machienery sales/distribution)
• Prior experience working closely with the CEO and being a strategic partner to senior leadership
• Working knowledge of the system Microsoft Dynamics (desirable, not essential)
• Prior experience working for a US company, with European HQ (desirable, not essential)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong Excel skills

Job Offer

• $160,000 - $175,000
• Bonus (disc.)
• Additional benefits

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.