Director of Finance
Expert Connections, Chattanooga, TN, United States
A leading automotive manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced
Director of Finance, North America
to provide strategic financial leadership across multiple production facilities. This high-visibility role partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, HR, and Plant Leadership to drive profitability, enhance cost structures, and maintain strong financial governance.
Success in this position requires deep expertise in automotive manufacturing finance, including cost accounting, program financials, and OEM/Tier-1 commercial models.
Key Responsibilities Financial Strategy & Leadership
Serve as the regional financial authority for all North American manufacturing operations.
Lead annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long-range financial planning aligned with production cycles and customer demand.
Provide strategic financial insights to support commercial negotiations, pricing strategies, and program profitability.
Operational Finance & Automotive Support
Partner with plant and operational teams to monitor margins, scrap/rework, production efficiencies, and key performance metrics.
Assess the financial impacts of customer programs, engineering changes, tooling amortization, and volume fluctuations typical in automotive environments.
Lead scenario modeling for new product launches, platform changes, and OEM forecast adjustments.
Ensure accurate monthly financial statements, operational variance analysis, and inventory cost reporting across all sites.
Oversee standard costing, BOM accuracy, labor and overhead rates, and COGS alignment with automotive cost frameworks.
Maintain strong internal controls and audit readiness to meet industry, regulatory, and customer requirements.
Lead and develop a high-performing regional finance team with strong automotive cost accounting expertise.
Drive continuous improvement in financial systems, reporting processes, and KPIs.
Collaborate with global finance and operations teams to share and implement best practices.
Capital Management & Cash Optimization
Oversee CAPEX planning for tooling, automation, equipment, and customer program launches.
Support ROI modeling for new programs, major equipment investments, and operational footprint improvements.
Lead working capital optimization initiatives with a focus on inventory turns, raw material management, and customer payment practices.
Qualifications Required
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field.
10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience in automotive manufacturing (Tier-1 or Tier-2 preferred).
Expert knowledge of cost accounting, standard costing, BOM structures, and tooling amortization.
Experience with customer quoting, program financials, and OEM/Tier-1 commercial models.
Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.
Preferred
MBA, CPA, or CMA credential.
Experience overseeing financial operations across multiple manufacturing sites.
Background in Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence programs.
Familiarity with IATF 16949 environments.
Core Competencies
Strategic financial planning
Operational and commercial acumen
Leadership and team development
Strong communication and executive presence
Analytical and data‑driven problem solving
Ability to thrive in fast‑paced OEM/Tier‑1 environments
About Expert Connections Expert Connections is a boutique recruiting firm specializing in leadership and technical placements in manufacturing, automotive and automation industries. We partner closely with clients and candidates to deliver a high‑touch, insight‑driven search experience rooted in deep industry knowledge.
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Finance, Accounting/Auditing, and Consulting
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing and Manufacturing
Inferred from the description for this job
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director of Finance, North America
to provide strategic financial leadership across multiple production facilities. This high-visibility role partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, HR, and Plant Leadership to drive profitability, enhance cost structures, and maintain strong financial governance.
Success in this position requires deep expertise in automotive manufacturing finance, including cost accounting, program financials, and OEM/Tier-1 commercial models.
Key Responsibilities Financial Strategy & Leadership
Serve as the regional financial authority for all North American manufacturing operations.
Lead annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long-range financial planning aligned with production cycles and customer demand.
Provide strategic financial insights to support commercial negotiations, pricing strategies, and program profitability.
Operational Finance & Automotive Support
Partner with plant and operational teams to monitor margins, scrap/rework, production efficiencies, and key performance metrics.
Assess the financial impacts of customer programs, engineering changes, tooling amortization, and volume fluctuations typical in automotive environments.
Lead scenario modeling for new product launches, platform changes, and OEM forecast adjustments.
Ensure accurate monthly financial statements, operational variance analysis, and inventory cost reporting across all sites.
Oversee standard costing, BOM accuracy, labor and overhead rates, and COGS alignment with automotive cost frameworks.
Maintain strong internal controls and audit readiness to meet industry, regulatory, and customer requirements.
Lead and develop a high-performing regional finance team with strong automotive cost accounting expertise.
Drive continuous improvement in financial systems, reporting processes, and KPIs.
Collaborate with global finance and operations teams to share and implement best practices.
Capital Management & Cash Optimization
Oversee CAPEX planning for tooling, automation, equipment, and customer program launches.
Support ROI modeling for new programs, major equipment investments, and operational footprint improvements.
Lead working capital optimization initiatives with a focus on inventory turns, raw material management, and customer payment practices.
Qualifications Required
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field.
10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience in automotive manufacturing (Tier-1 or Tier-2 preferred).
Expert knowledge of cost accounting, standard costing, BOM structures, and tooling amortization.
Experience with customer quoting, program financials, and OEM/Tier-1 commercial models.
Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.
Preferred
MBA, CPA, or CMA credential.
Experience overseeing financial operations across multiple manufacturing sites.
Background in Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence programs.
Familiarity with IATF 16949 environments.
Core Competencies
Strategic financial planning
Operational and commercial acumen
Leadership and team development
Strong communication and executive presence
Analytical and data‑driven problem solving
Ability to thrive in fast‑paced OEM/Tier‑1 environments
About Expert Connections Expert Connections is a boutique recruiting firm specializing in leadership and technical placements in manufacturing, automotive and automation industries. We partner closely with clients and candidates to deliver a high‑touch, insight‑driven search experience rooted in deep industry knowledge.
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Finance, Accounting/Auditing, and Consulting
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing and Manufacturing
Inferred from the description for this job
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
#J-18808-Ljbffr