CFO

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – Industrial Manufacturing & Automotive

Role Overview

The CFO is responsible for the financial strategy, planning, and management of the organization. In industrial manufacturing and automotive environments, the role is highly operational—requiring deep involvement in cost control, supply chain finance, capital investments, and production efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute financial strategy aligned with company growth (expansion, new plants, product lines)
• Partner with CEO and executive team on long-term planning
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures (common in automotive supply chains)

2. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Monitor key metrics such as:
• Cost per unit
• Gross margin by product line
• EBITDA
• Provide actionable insights for plant and operational leaders

3. Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Oversee standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation
• Analyze:
• Bill of Materials (BOM)
• Labor and overhead costs
• Drive cost reduction initiatives and efficiency improvements (Lean / Six Sigma environments)

4. Operations & Plant Finance

• Partner with plant managers to improve:
• Production efficiency
• Capacity utilization
• Waste reduction
• Evaluate plant performance and capital productivity

5. Supply Chain & Working Capital Management

• Optimize inventory levels (raw materials, WIP, finished goods)
• Manage cash flow cycles (critical in automotive supply chains)
• Oversee supplier payment terms and customer credit policies

6. Capital Expenditure (CapEx) & Investments

• Evaluate investments in:
• Machinery and automation
• New production lines
• Technology upgrades
• Conduct ROI, IRR, and payback analyses
• Manage large-scale capital projects

7. Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and industry standards
• Manage risks related to:
• Commodity price fluctuations (steel, aluminum, etc.)
• Currency exposure (global automotive trade)
• Oversee internal controls and audits

8. Treasury & Funding

• Manage banking relationships, debt financing, and liquidity
• Structure funding for expansion or new plants
• Optimize capital structure

9. Reporting & Stakeholder Communication

• Deliver accurate financial reporting to:
• Board of Directors
• Investors / shareholders
• Present operational and financial performance insights

10. Digital Transformation & Systems

• Lead implementation of ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
• Drive automation in financial processes
• Use data analytics for decision-making

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• MBA or professional certification (CPA, CMA, ACCA) preferred

Experience

• 12–20+ years in finance, with:
• Significant experience in manufacturing or automotive
• Prior leadership roles (Finance Director, VP Finance)
• Strong exposure to plant operations and cost accounting

Key Skills

• Deep understanding of manufacturing cost structures
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking
• Leadership and team management
• Knowledge of automotive supply chains (Tier 1, Tier 2 suppliers)
• Expertise in ERP systems and financial modeling
• Ability to work cross-functionally with operations and engineering teams