Director, Finance, Operations

Schaumburg, IL

Ready for aFinance career with more impact? Join a market leader in ingredient manufacturing that is poised for a new era of success.

ABOUT PRIMIENT

Established yet entrepreneurial: Primient is an industry leader with proven products, six manufacturing plants, 1500 employees and deep roots in corn wet milling. Yetwe’re also a brand-new companythat is ready to drive change and create impact.

Inspired by a meaningful purpose: we use renewable sources to produce plant-based ingredients for some of the world’s best-known brands. It feels good to produce safe, high-quality, sustainable products – that go into everything from sodas to hand cream and cardboard to clothing.

Poised for a new era of success: we’reinvesting in our plants and people to unlock our potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by our values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we’re focused on growing our business, our reputation, and the career of every colleague.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The contribution of our Finance teams is vital to the performance, profitability, and continued growth of the Primient business. Across Finance, we are exploring new and better ways to harness data, improve decision-making and add value – while optimizing the investment we are making in our plants and people. 

The Director, Finance, Operations will drive the budgeting, forecasting, capital spending and product costing functions for the organization, establishing systems, processes, procedures, and supporting leadership in decision making through regular financial reporting and ad-hoc analysis and insights. This person will also help challenge the current systems and tools of cost structure and allocation, data collection and protocol, and impacts to financial statements to modify and refine reporting and ensure the expectation of accountability and credibility within the organization. They will also partner with key stakeholders across the organization to execute on various initiatives and leverage current understanding of manufacturing drivers, cost of goods, inventory, and operating expenses. This position will report to the VP of Operations Finance and be based in Schaumburg; Primient employees are currently working a hybrid schedule.

This is an exciting opportunity to come into a private equity-backed, market leading industrial manufacturer with a history of success and a strong reputation in the market. It has a long track record of success, a reputation for superior capabilities, and a diversified and marquee customer base for whom it creates mission critical products.

Key responsibilities: Director, Finance, Operations

Flawlessly deliver on core Operations Finance responsibilities & help improve the function

Strategy and Leadership 

• Partner with the VP Operations Finance to develop and implement the global manufacturing operations strategy aligned with the company’s overall objectives. 
• Provide strong leadership, guidance, and direction to plant controllers, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and execute initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, standardize processes, and improve financial results. 

Financial Planning and Control 

• Provide analytical support and rigor to strategic decisions, while helping the VP of Operations Finance and other Sr. leaders
• Help VP of Operations Finance explain key drivers of performance and underlying details and help translate this understanding into actionable priorities for the Company
• Help improve the Annual Operations Planning (AOP) process, 5 year plan, and Product costing cycle

Cost Management, Productivity, and Optimization 

• Drive cost management and productivity initiatives across manufacturing operations, identifying opportunities for cost reduction and operational efficiency improvement. 
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, streamline processes, and optimize resource allocation. 
• Manage, standardize and improve the analysis of key performance indicators
• Collaborate with Accounting, Sales, and other management regarding existing product mixes, general cost and labor requirements for specific products, product demand and production schedules, product yields, and existing capacities

Compliance and Risk Management 

• Quickly develop a detailed understanding of the business and market, including products/services, business segments, customers, and competitors
• Ensure compliance with applicable financial regulations, accounting standards, and internal control policies within manufacturing operations. 
• Assess and mitigate financial and operational risks, developing risk management strategies and contingency plans. 
• Collaborate with internal audit to facilitate audits and address any findings or recommendations. 

Team Development 

• Use authority and influence to drive strategic improvement and continuously improve quality, efficiency, and effectiveness within the operations function
• Coach and develop team members, providing guidance, feedback, and support to achieve organizational and personal goals. 
• Facilitate knowledge transfer and best practice sharing across the Finance organization. 

ABOUT YOU

• BA/BS Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; MBA preferred
• 5 to 10 years of experience in financial management, cost accounting, or related financial analysis, Operations finance/strategic planning or Operations FP&A.
• Prior experience with financial reporting systems and visualization tools, such as SAP, Hyperion and MS Power BI
• Must possess exceptional analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving capabilities
• Superior presentation, written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills required, including the ability to interact with and establish trust and credibility with all levels of the organization and the ability to convey complex concepts in a clear and structured manner
• Hands on, deadline & detail oriented
• Team Player
• Travel, required 25%
• Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook required; Advanced Microsoft Excel skills includes analytical modeling, robust chart prep and data mining for large data sets; Power Pivot experience is ideal
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and superlative listening skills
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization and execution of tasks, while still maintaining focus on overall company objectives (“the big picture”)
• Demonstration of innovation and initiative – always looking at improving our processes and displaying a willingness to dive into the details and help wherever necessary
• Resilient and hands on – can handle volume and pace

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Rewards & benefits Competitive salary / 401 K matching and non-contingent matching plans / Healthcare / Medical insurance 

Career development

Our structure provides autonomy and accountability in your role. You have scope to develop a depth of expertise and the opportunity to follow career pathways outside the norm. 

Schaumburg, IL

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are passionate believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operateand to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow, thrive and progress. 

Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.

California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.