Client-Facing Chief Financial Officer - Manufacturing Focus
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Client-Facing Chief Financial Officer – Manufacturing Focus based in the United States.
We are seeking an experienced, strategic Chief Financial Officer to advise manufacturing and production-based businesses on financial performance, operational efficiency, and long-term growth. In this fully remote role, you will serve as a trusted financial partner to privately held, entrepreneurial companies, helping business owners turn complex financial data into clear, actionable decisions. You will combine deep manufacturing finance expertise with a practical understanding of plant operations, cost accounting, inventory management, and profitability. Working directly with executives, lenders, and operations leaders, you will guide financial planning, capital investment, risk management, and strategic initiatives. You will also lead client service teams, mentor finance professionals, and build lasting relationships through personalized, high-quality advisory services. This opportunity is ideal for a hands-on finance leader who can confidently connect shop-floor performance with boardroom strategy while supporting multiple growing businesses. The environment emphasizes collaboration, accountability, continuous learning, and the flexibility of working remotely.
Accountabilities
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Own end-to-end client relationships, providing strategic financial guidance on planning, budgeting, forecasting, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, and capital investment decisions.
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Develop and maintain manufacturing cost accounting frameworks, including standard, job, and process costing, bills of materials, labor and overhead absorption, and detailed variance analysis.
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Analyze profitability by product, production line, and customer to help clients understand margins, identify inefficiencies, and improve financial performance.
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Oversee inventory accounting for raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods, including valuation methods, physical inventory counts, obsolescence reserves, inventory accuracy, and inventory turnover.
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Translate operational metrics such as capacity utilization, throughput, scrap rates, yield, and cost per unit into financial insights, performance indicators, and actionable recommendations.
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Lead capital expenditure assessments, equipment return-on-investment analysis, make-versus-buy evaluations, and working capital optimization initiatives.
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Manage lender relationships, borrowing base reporting, covenant compliance, and broader capital strategy to support financial stability and business growth.
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Develop pricing and quoting models that incorporate raw material costs, commodity fluctuations, tariffs, supplier terms, and changes in market demand.
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Help clients optimize their enterprise resource planning (ERP) and manufacturing resource planning (MRP) systems to improve the flow and accuracy of production, costing, inventory, and financial data.
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Lead structured quarterly business reviews, communicate performance trends, and deliver practical recommendations that strengthen client satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
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Proactively manage client engagement scope and profitability while supporting business development through manufacturing expertise, proposals, and prospective client discussions.
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Lead, coach, and develop Controllers and accounting professionals, sharing technical knowledge and strengthening the capabilities of client service teams.
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Identify financial, operational, and strategic risks, develop mitigation plans, and guide clients through complex situations, including restructuring and business transformation.
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Promote a culture of integrity, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement while delivering responsive, relationship-focused financial advisory services.
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At least 10 years of progressive experience in financial advisory, strategic accounting, or CFO services, including a minimum of five years in a senior finance leadership role within a manufacturing or production-based business.
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Extensive hands-on experience with manufacturing cost accounting, including costing methodologies, inventory valuation, variance analysis, and product- and customer-level profitability.
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Practical experience with manufacturing ERP/MRP systems and the ability to collaborate with operations leaders on production efficiency, capacity planning, pricing, and equipment investment decisions.
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Proven ability to advise mid-market businesses on financial planning, forecasting, capital strategy, lender relationships, working capital, and operational efficiency.
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Strong knowledge of accounting principles and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), particularly inventory accounting, financial reporting, and forecasting methodologies.
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Demonstrated experience advising leadership teams on complex business decisions, including mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, financial risk mitigation, and strategic investments.
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Excellent financial modeling, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect operational performance to financial outcomes.
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Strong executive presence and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly to business owners, board members, lenders, plant managers, and cross-functional teams.
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Proven ability to build trusted client relationships, manage multiple engagements, and deliver strategic recommendations tailored to different business needs.
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Experience leading, mentoring, and developing finance professionals, with a commitment to knowledge sharing and team growth.
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High ethical standards, sound judgment, and a strong sense of integrity, combined with a positive, proactive, and growth-oriented mindset.
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Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment while maintaining effective collaboration, accountability, and consistent client service.
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Willingness to complete two short assessments and a live accounting assessment conducted through Microsoft Teams screen sharing. Successfully passing the live accounting test is a mandatory requirement.
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Must be eligible to work in the United States and able to provide proof of work authorization. Any employment offer is contingent on satisfactory background check results.
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Annual salary: $175,000–$185,000, with compensation determined by experience, education, specialized knowledge, skills, and relevant market factors.
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Fully remote work: A flexible “work wherever” approach that allows you to work from your home office.
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Full-time employment: W-2 position offering 40 hours per week, with an emphasis on long-term employment and employee engagement.
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Comprehensive insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with accident and pet insurance.
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Retirement savings: 401(k) plan with an employer match.
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Flexible time off: Flexible vacation arrangements and a company-wide year-end closure.
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Work-life balance: No traditional busy season, supporting a more sustainable working rhythm.
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Collaborative culture: A friendly, supportive, and team-oriented environment built around individual accountability and shared success.
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Professional development: Opportunities to mentor finance professionals, expand strategic advisory expertise, and work with a diverse portfolio of growing businesses.
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Meaningful impact: The opportunity to influence financial strategy, improve manufacturing performance, and help business owners build sustainable, profitable organizations.