Sr. Manager, Operations Finance: On-site Indiana or Owensboro, KY
Our manufacturing client, headquartered in the central part of Indiana, is actively seeking a Sr. Manager, Operations Finance. This role sits at the intersection of finance and operations, translating production activity, cost drivers, and capital decisions into clear financial insights that support margin improvement, productivity, and growth. The Sr. Manager, Operations Finance supports plant leadership and corporate FP&A by owning operational financial analysis, standard costing, inventory valuation, and performance reporting. This role ensures financial results are accurate, timely, and actionable, while proactively identifying risks, opportunities, and cost improvement initiatives across the operation. This role is ON-SITE and can be located either in Lafayette, IN or Owensboro, KY.
Sr. Manager, Operations Finance - Responsibilities:
Operational Financial Partnership
- Act as the primary finance partner to plant and operations leadership, providing financial insight to support production, labor, yield, and efficiency decisions
- Translate operational activity into financial outcomes, ensuring leaders understand cost drivers, trade-offs, and margin impacts
- Partner with operations to identify waste, inefficiencies, and continuous improvement opportunities
Costing, Inventory, and Performance Analysis
- Own production cost reporting, including standard costing, BOM accuracy, yield analysis, labor and overhead absorption
- Analyze and explain weekly and monthly variances versus standard, budget, and forecast
- Support inventory accounting, valuation, cycle counts, and period-end adjustments in alignment with accounting policies
- Review and track cost savings initiatives, productivity projects, and operational KPIs
Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting
- Lead annual operating budget development for assigned plants or operations in partnership with plant leadership
- Support monthly and quarterly forecasts, incorporating volume, mix, labor, yield, and overhead assumptions
- Provide scenario and sensitivity analysis to support operational planning and capacity decisions
Reporting and Close Support
- Support month-end close activities related to operations, including variance explanations and financial result reviews
- Ensure accurate financial data is recorded and aligned with GAAP and internal control requirements
- Prepare and present operational financial results to plant and corporate leadership
Controls, Governance, and Compliance
- Ensure plant financial processes comply with company accounting policies, internal controls, and SOX requirements
- Partner with Accounting to ensure consistent application of costing methodologies and inventory practices
- Support audits and internal reviews related to operational finance and inventory
Team Leadership and Development
- Lead, coach, and develop plant finance or operations finance staff
- Promote strong financial acumen within operations through education and collaboration
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional partnership
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Provides leadership and direction to operations finance staff and plant finance teams
- Responsible for hiring, training, performance management, and professional development
- Works closely with Plant Controllers and Accounting leadership to ensure alignment between operational finance and financial reporting
Sr. Manager, Operations Finance - Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
- 5+ years of progressive experience in operations finance, cost accounting, or manufacturing finance within a CPG or food manufacturing environment
- Prior experience partnering directly with plant or operations leadership strongly preferred
- Demonstrated understanding of GAAP, standard costing, inventory accounting, and manufacturing economics
- SAP experience preferred
- Advanced Excel skills required; experience with ERP and reporting tools preferred
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial storytelling skills
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
For more information, please submit a confidential resume to melva@mriz.net
Melva Lowry
1531 West Oak St.
Zionsville, IN 46077
Visit our website at www.mriz.net
Due to the high volume of resumes received, only applicants with SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE requested by our clients will be contacted. All replies are held in strict confidence. MRI Zionsville WILL NOT share your personally identifiable information WITHOUT your permission.
Keywords: Sr. Accounting Manager, Senior Accounting Manager, Accounting Manager, Finance Operations Manager, Finance Manager, Cost Accounting Manager, Operations Finance Manager, Operations Finance Specialist