Finance Director

Located onsite in Bartlett, Illinois, the Finance Director for Region Americas reports to the CEO. The role designs and drives the regional financial strategy, oversees capital management and cash flow, and provides financial leadership to support growth and maximize shareholder value.

Responsibilities

• Partner with executive leadership to drive sustainable success and elevate performance across Region Americas and the broader WITTENSTEIN group.
• Own and actively manage the drivers of value to strengthen overall performance.
• Lead goal setting, planning and control processes to ensure decision makers act in a goal-driven, risk-aware framework.
• Steer the organization toward achieving and surpassing sales, profitability, cash flow and other business objectives.
• Translate strategic goals into measurable objectives, strengthen accountability, and lead the development, communication, and execution of growth strategies and processes.
• Define the Region Americas financial strategy, manage capital, and communicate capital needs and implications of decisions to the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Support capital raises at suitable valuations to meet sales, growth and market share objectives.
• Direct short-term and long-range planning and budgeting to support strategic goals.
• Deliver timely and accurate reports on the company's operating condition.
• Oversee the integration, development and maintenance of finance and controlling systems to meet targets in collaboration with management.
• Ensure efficient capital expenditures and tax optimization.
• Proactively manage cash flows in a leveraged environment.
• Develop and implement a financial risk management policy.
• Manage relationships with banks and other financial partners.
• Support risk protection by ensuring legal compliance with applicable laws and policies.
• Provide proactive analyses to improve key decisions and act as a business advisor, integrating the full business perspective.
• Offer transparent insights and constructive alternatives to support decision making.
• Represent the organization to clients, investors and partners.
• Maintain ongoing communication with the CEO, informing of all critical issues.
• Establish internal and external processes and key performance indicators for measurement and benchmarking.
• Anticipate and address potential issues in advance.
• Structure, negotiate and close purchase agreements.
• Provide daily leadership aligned with the corporate mission, vision, purpose and core values.
• Lead a high-performing management team and promote data-driven decisions supported by predictive analytics.
• Support HR actions by ensuring proper execution of related functions.
• Attract, recruit and retain essential executive team members and provide mentoring as part of leadership development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or a related field from an accredited institution; MBA in Accounting, Finance or Business is preferred; CPA is preferred.
• 10+ years of corporate finance experience in a manufacturing environment, including broad relationships and company growth responsibilities.
• At least 5 years of experience developing broad business relationships and managing growth initiatives.
• Up-to-date knowledge of current financial and accounting software applications.
• Experience operating within a worldwide matrix organization, ideally with a European headquarters.
• ERP system implementation experience is strongly preferred, with SAP ERP experience highly preferred.
• Hands-on leadership capable of balancing strategic thinking with operational execution.
• Strong project management skills for structuring and delivering complex initiatives.

Benefits

• Great Place To Work Certified
• Competitive base salary
• Bonus incentive plan
• Excellent health benefits
• Monthly medical premiums 50% to 75% below market
• Annual deductible and copays below market
• Higher percentage of medical coverage than market norms
• No monthly dental and vision premiums
• Annual profit-sharing opportunity up to 5%
• Matching 401(k) contribution
• Wellness reimbursement (50% up to $500/year)
• Wellness rewards redeemable for gift cards
• Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
• Tuition Reimbursement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or a related field from an accredited institution; MBA in Accounting, Finance or Business preferred; CPA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of corporate finance experience in a manufacturing environment, building broad business relationships and driving growth.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience developing broad business relationships and managing growth initiatives.
• Proficiency with current financial and accounting software applications.
• Experience in a global matrix organization, preferably with a European headquarters.
• ERP system implementation experience is strongly preferred; SAP experience is highly preferred.
• Hands-on leader able to balance big-picture thinking with operational execution.
• Strong project management capabilities for complex initiatives.