What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of FP&A position at FORT WAYNE METALS RESEARCH?
At Fort Wayne Metals, we specialize in producing top-quality wires, cables, and assemblies designed to enhance and safeguard lives. Our products are used in everything from our customers’ stents and surgical robots to aircraft and automobiles. At our essence, we are thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers, leveraging our knowledge of materials to create customized solutions for our customers.
Join us in our dedication to making a tangible impact through our advanced materials and superior products.
Education & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
- MBA or master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
- Minimum 12-15 year of progressive finance experience with at least 5-7 years in senior leadership roles managing teams.
- Extensive experience in manufacturing finance, including deep knowledge of cost accounting, standard costing and variance analysis.
- Proven track record leading FP&A functions including budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning and strategic financial analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to present complex financial information to C-suite executives and board members with clarity and confidence.
- Experience with international operations and multi-currency financial management.
- Success in leading significant organizational change initiatives or transformation projects.
Job Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Business Partnership
- Partner with the CFO and executive leadership team to develop and execute financial strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
- Lead strategic planning initiatives, long-range forecasting, and annual budgeting processes across all business units.
- Provide financial insights and recommendations to support major business decisions, including capital investments, pricing strategies, and operational improvements.
- Serve as trusted advisor to operations leadership, translating complex financial data into clear business insights.
- Support M&A activities, including financial due diligence, integration planning, and post-acquisition performance tracking.
Financial Planning & Analysis
- Direct the development of annual operating plans, rolling forecasts, and multi-year strategic plans.
- Lead monthly and quarterly business reviews, analyzing plan versus actual performance and providing actionable variance commentary.
- Contribute to development of key performance indicators across manufacturing, operations, and financial metrics in business intelligence platforms.
- Conduct comprehensive margin analysis by product line, customer, and channel to identify profitability opportunities.
- Lead capital expenditure planning, forecasting, and ROI analysis for both pending projects and post-implementation reviews.
- Oversee spend management activities and cost center performance reporting across the organization.
- Drive continuous improvement in cost accounting methodologies, introducing best practices and enhancing analytical capabilities.
Systems & Process Excellence
- Support ERP system optimization and implementation initiatives, ensuring finance module configuration supports business requirements.
- Champion the development and enhancement of financial reporting systems and business intelligence tools.
- Drive automation and process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and scalability of the finance function
Financial Reporting & Compliance
- Present financial results and strategic analyses to the Senior Leadership Team.
- Support external audit processes and coordinate with auditors on cost accounting, inventory valuation, and financial reporting matters.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal controls, and regulatory requirements across all FP&A activities.
Leadership Responsibilities
- Model and create a continuous learning mindset amongst teams via active use and engagement with the learning tools and opportunities provided by FWM.
- Conduct 6:15 conversations with direct reports according to FWM’s schedule.
- Promote development among team members by identifying growth opportunities, encouraging stretch assignments and providing support for continual learning and advancement.
- Manage individuals based on the essential functions and responsibilities as listed in their job description.
Skills Needed
- Strategic Vision: Ability to see the big picture, connect financial performance to business strategy, and drive long-term value creation.
- Executive Leadership: Proven capability to influence and partner effectively with C-suite executives and cross-functional teams.
- Analytical Excellence: Ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and translate insights into strategic recommendations.
- Business Acumen: Deep understanding of manufacturing operations, supply chain, and how financial levers impact business performance.
- Communication Excellence: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; ability to distill complex financial concepts for diverse audiences.
- Change Leadership: Proven ability to lead organizational transformation, drive adoption of new systems/processes, and manage through ambiguity.
- Team Builder: Strong talent developer who attracts, retains, and develops top finance talent while fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture.
- Results Orientation: Track record of delivering results, meeting deadlines, and driving continuous improvement in finance operations.
- Collaboration: Ability to build strong cross-functional partnerships and work effectively across all levels of the organization.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
- Office and plant environment.
- Some time spent at desk, but ideally most time would be spent engaging cross functionally throughout the organization.
Benefits & Wellness Resources
The health and wellbeing of Fort Wayne Metals is a critical part of our culture. In addition to offering medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options to suit your needs, we’d like to share some of the other fundamental resources that make Fort Wayne Metals a premier place to work:
Physical Wellness
- Parkview Wellness Coach
- Ready to assist with your physical and nutritional wellness needs.
- Gym Facilities
- 4 onsite gym locations as well as discounts for regional gym facilities.
- Health Challenges
- From pickleball tournaments, sponsored races and sports leagues, to participating in the YMCA’s Corporate Challenge, we have a variety of fun ways to stay active.
Mental Wellness
- When You Need to Talk
- 5 sessions of counseling are available to you and all members of your immediate household at no cost.
- Relaxing Time-Off
- Qualify for Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay on your first day of employment.
Social Wellness
- Epic Events
- From TinCaps Night to family days at the zoo, we offer multiple activities throughout the year for employees and their families.
- Employee Resource Group
- A voluntary, employee-led group formed to bring employees together and centered around a common interest or identity.
Professional Wellness
- Grow Your Career
- We offer many opportunities to continue your development and growth.
- Performance Feedback
- Receive regular and constructive feedback from your manager and peers to help you grow and improve.
Financial Wellness
- Annual Profit Sharing & 401k matching
- Dropping dollars into your 401k. When you contribute 7%, we’ll contribute 3.5%.
- Quarterly Bonus
- When we perform well, everyone benefits! Receive discretionary bonuses each quarter based on company performance.
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Getting your first degree? Great! Whatever your major, we’ll help pick up the tab!
- Your Money Line
- Employer-provided 1:1 financial guidance, education, & tools – so you can stress less about money and enjoy greater stability & confidence.
Notice to Employees and Applicants:
New to the area? Fort Wayne is a wonderful place to live, work and play. Check out some of the great things our region has to offer!
- Greater Fort Wayne Inc. | Building a Nationally Recognized Economy
- The Fort Wayne Visitors Center
- Relocating - NEI