Senior Finance Manager - Operations

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  Title: Senior Finance Manager - Operations

  Location: Greater Indianapolis, IN

  Salary: $115,000 - $135,000

  Job Type: Direct Hire, Full Time for Food Manufacturer

  
  

  Summary

  The Operations Finance function partners closely with manufacturing and supply chain leadership to support financial performance, cost management, and operational decision‑making across production environments. This role operates at the intersection of finance and operations, translating production activity, cost drivers, and capital decisions into clear financial insights that support margin improvement, productivity, and sustainable growth.

  The Operations Finance Manager supports site leadership and corporate financial planning teams by owning operational financial analysis, standard costing, inventory valuation, and performance reporting. The role ensures financial results are accurate, timely, and actionable, while proactively identifying risks, opportunities, and cost improvement initiatives across the operation.

  Responsibilities

  Operational Financial Partnership

  • Serve as the primary finance partner to site and operations leadership, providing financial insight to support production, labor, yield, and efficiency decisions
  • Translate operational activity into financial outcomes, enabling leaders to understand cost drivers, trade‑offs, and margin impacts
  • Partner with operations to identify waste, inefficiencies, and continuous improvement opportunities

  Costing, Inventory, and Performance Analysis

  • Own production cost reporting, including standard costing, bill of materials accuracy, yield analysis, labor, and overhead absorption
  • Analyze and explain weekly and monthly variances versus standard, budget, and forecast
  • Support inventory accounting, valuation, cycle counts, and period‑end adjustments in alignment with accounting policies
  • Track and evaluate cost savings initiatives, productivity projects, and key operational performance indicators

  Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting

  • Lead annual operating budget development for assigned operations in partnership with site leadership
  • Support monthly and quarterly forecasts incorporating volume, mix, labor, yield, and overhead assumptions
  • Provide scenario and sensitivity analysis to support operational planning and capacity decisions

  Reporting and Close Support

  • Support month‑end close activities related to operations, including variance explanations and financial review packages
  • Ensure accurate financial data recording aligned with accounting standards and internal control requirements
  • Prepare and present operational financial results to site and corporate leadership

  Controls, Governance, and Compliance

  • Ensure operational financial processes comply with company accounting policies and internal control requirements
  • Partner with accounting teams to ensure consistent application of costing methodologies and inventory practices
  • Support internal reviews and audits related to operational finance and inventory

  Team Leadership and Development

  • Lead, coach, and develop operations or plant finance staff
  • Promote financial acumen within operations through education and collaboration
  • Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross‑functional partnership

  Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
  • 5+ years of progressive experience in operations finance, cost accounting, or manufacturing finance
  • Prior experience partnering directly with plant or operations leadership preferred
  • Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and manufacturing economics
  • Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems preferred
  • Advanced Excel skills required; experience with financial reporting tools preferred
  • Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and financial communication skills
  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced operational environment
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high‑performing teams
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  Supervisory Responsibilities

  • Provides leadership and direction to operations finance and site finance staff
  • Responsible for hiring, training, performance management, and professional development
  • Partners closely with accounting and finance leadership to ensure alignment between operational finance and financial reporting

  Work Environment

  • Work is performed in an office setting within an active industrial or manufacturing environment
  • The role may involve exposure to noise, moving mechanical equipment, temperature extremes, dust, and outdoor conditions
  • Appropriate personal protective equipment may be required in certain areas

  Physical Demands

  • Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout an operational facility
  • Ability to use standard office equipment and handle routine physical tasks
  • Ability to occasionally lift or move light to moderate weight
  • Vision and communication abilities necessary to perform essential job functions

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