Finance Lead, Supply Chain
SkyWater is thrilled to be partnering with a global manufacturing company to help them identify a Finance Lead to join their growing team. The Finance Lead is a key position responsible for supporting and driving both operational and financial performance within the organization. This individual will oversee financial planning and analysis related to direct material expenditure, inventory, and supply chain activities. In addition to monitoring financial targets, the Finance Lead will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to identify cost-saving opportunities, influence strategic decisions, and implement initiatives designed to enhance profitability, efficiency, and growth.
Responsibilities
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes related to direct material purchases, inflation, FX impacts, inventory, tariffs, project savings, and departmental spending for purchasing and sourcing functions.
- Act as a strategic thought partner by constructively challenging business decisions and assumptions, encouraging alternative approaches when appropriate to drive optimal outcomes, while maintaining professionalism and strong cross-functional relationships.
- Conduct proactive financial analysis and scenario planning to anticipate risks and opportunities, enabling the organization to make informed decisions and address potential challenges before they arise.
- Collaborate with purchasing and sourcing teams to establish measurable material savings and PPV (Purchase Price Variance) targets, and support initiatives to achieve these goals.
- Perform financial analyses to assess supply chain exposure to global trade policy shifts, identify mitigation strategies, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Identify and support supplier-related cost reduction opportunities through reporting, modeling, and financial insights.
- Provide financial support in supplier negotiations by delivering margin analysis and proposal modeling.
- Support strategic purchasing decisions, including last-time buys, and evaluate their financial impact on inventory.
- Drive continuous improvement in inventory and purchasing reporting processes to enhance efficiency and create value.
- Partner with supply chain, operations, and finance teams to implement best practices in demand planning, inventory management, and excess and obsolete (E&O) reserves.
- Manage the E&O process: prepare reports, lead management discussions, recommend actions, and oversee reserve calculations.
- Collaborate with demand planning to align inventory investments with forecasted business needs; conduct scenario modeling to optimize working capital.
- Conduct monthly analysis of sourcing financial metrics (e.g., material savings, PPV, cost center spend, project savings) and present findings to finance and operations leadership.
- Ensure accuracy of Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet statements within areas of responsibility.
- Maintain and enforce internal controls related to procurement and inventory; ensure compliance with cycle counting and physical inventory policies.
- Support the annual inventory audit process, including physical counts, cycle counts, valuation (tariffs, freight cost add-ons, etc.), reconciliation of discrepancies, and preparation of audit schedules and supporting documentation. Partner with internal stakeholders and external auditors to ensure accurate reporting, compliance with accounting standards, and timely resolution of findings.
- Support the evaluation of capital expenditures and fixed assets through ROI analyses.
- Monitor cost center performance and collaborate with stakeholders to implement corrective actions when necessary.
- Execute ad hoc projects with accuracy, timeliness, and strategic insight.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance and/or Accounting required.
- 4+ years of finance or accounting experience required.
- Strong technology skills, including proficiency with MS Office applications (Excel and PowerPoint).
- Demonstrated critical thinking capability to improve processes and eliminate inefficiencies.
- Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and leverage cross-functional resources as needed.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Detail-oriented with excellent execution and follow-through.
- Effective time management with the ability to prioritize workload.
- Customer-focused mindset with responsiveness to questions and needs in a deadline-driven environment.
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ABOUT SKYWATER SEARCH
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Led by a group of seasoned search industry professionals, SkyWater Search Partners brings new focus to a novel concept, “Short List Search.” Our purpose is to leave a lasting impression on the clients we serve by providing individuals who will make a measurable difference in their business. We strive to consistently deliver great results to our clients in a very timely manner.
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