Job Title: Global Director of Operations Finance & North America Controller
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Job Description
The Global Director of Operations Finance & North America Controller leads financial performance across a global manufacturing organization, with a primary focus on operations finance, cost structure optimization, and data-driven decision making. This role oversees North America plant controllers, supports global financial operations, and plays a critical part in standard costing, manufacturing performance analysis, and improving financial visibility across multiple sites. The position requires a seasoned finance leader who combines strong technical accounting expertise with operational finance experience and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a complex, global environment.
Responsibilities
Partner closely with operations leadership to improve profitability, enhance operational performance, and drive cost efficiency across global manufacturing sites.
Analyze standard costing, manufacturing variances, and plant-level performance to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
Lead the monthly close process, consolidations, and financial reporting activities in full compliance with US GAAP.
Oversee and continuously improve budgeting, forecasting, and long-term strategic planning processes for operations and North America plants.
Support and enhance Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes to ensure financial insight informs operational and product decisions.
Monitor working capital, inventory levels, and key cost drivers to optimize cash flow and support business growth.
Guide pricing strategy and conduct product profitability analysis to support commercial decisions and margin improvement.
Lead, mentor, and develop North America plant controllers and broader finance teams, building strong capabilities and a high-performance culture.
Standardize and streamline financial reporting processes and performance metrics across global operations to improve transparency and comparability.
Support and leverage ERP systems, particularly SAP, to improve financial reporting tools, data quality, and analytical capabilities.
Drive cost reduction initiatives and working capital optimization, including inventory optimization and excess and obsolete inventory analysis.
Lead or support global consolidations and ensure accurate, timely financial information for senior leadership and corporate reporting.
Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial leaders across operations, product, and other functions.
Collaborate with product management, engineering, and other cross-functional teams to support strategic growth initiatives and capital allocation decisions.
Continuously improve financial processes, controls, and analytics to strengthen decision support and operational accountability.
Essential Skills
Extensive experience in operations finance within a global manufacturing environment.
Deep expertise in cost accounting, including standard costing, absorption costing, and variance analysis.
Strong background in manufacturing finance and plant-level performance management.
Proven experience leading monthly close, consolidations, and financial reporting under US GAAP.
Demonstrated capability in budgeting, forecasting, and long-term strategic financial planning.
Hands-on experience with working capital management and inventory accounting in a manufacturing @context.
Proficiency with ERP systems, specifically SAP, in a finance and operations environment.
Strong skills in supporting and enhancing S&OP processes with financial insight.
Advanced Excel and data modeling skills for complex financial analysis.
Experience building and using financial dashboards and reporting tools to support decision making.
Proven ability to conduct pricing analysis and product profitability analysis to guide commercial strategy.
Track record of leading cost reduction initiatives and inventory optimization programs.
Experience with global consolidations and multi-site financial management.
Demonstrated leadership experience managing plant controllers or regional finance teams.
Ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
Comfort operating in a fast-paced, multi-site, global environment with competing priorities.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with Oracle HFM or Hyperion for consolidation and reporting is highly beneficial.
background in strategic planning and supporting strategic growth initiatives in a global organization.
MBA or CPA preferred, reflecting advanced technical and strategic financial expertise.
Proven track record of driving cost savings initiatives and improving financial processes.
Experience partnering with operations, product management, and engineering teams to support business decisions.
Strong communication and influence skills, with the ability to work effectively with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to standardize processes and implement best practices across diverse global operations.
Work Environment
The role is based at a corporate headquarters site that houses senior leadership, corporate finance, engineering, product management, and key support functions. The environment combines the resources of a global, publicly traded organization with a smaller-company feel, where teams are tight-knit and collaboration across functions is frequent. Employees describe the culture as highly collaborative and accessible, making it easy to build strong working relationships across finance, operations, and product teams. The position is a highly visible leadership role with regular interaction with executive leadership and broad exposure to multiple functions and business units. The organization operates across diversified end markets including transportation, medical, aerospace and defense, and industrial, providing stability, resilience through economic cycles, and meaningful learning opportunities across products and global operations. The work relies heavily on modern financial systems and tools, including SAP, advanced Excel-based modeling, and financial dashboards, in a professional office environment focused on quality, reliability, and performance.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Lisle, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $89.00 - $93.75/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Lisle,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 3, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
