VP of Finance - Defense Manufacturing

Our client is a PE-backed defense manufacturer based in Ohio — a trusted subcontractor with deep roots in the naval and aerospace supply chain, operating in full compliance with FAR, DFAR, and CAS requirements. Built for scale and positioned for aggressive M&A, the business is now seeking a VP of Finance to own the financial infrastructure of the enterprise.

This is a newly created, high-visibility role designed with intentional succession in mind: the right candidate will free the CFO to pursue growth and acquisitions while establishing themselves as the CFO-in-waiting. For a finance leader ready to operate with autonomy, influence strategy, and build something lasting, this role offers a clear path to the CFO role.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to the finance and accounting team, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, job cost reporting, certified cost and pricing, and audits
• Serve as a key advisor to the executive team on financial matters, including capital allocation, investment decisions, and financial performance
• Support the CFO with cash flow forecasting, management, and board and lender reporting
• Design and distribute key financial reports to executive leadership
• Provide strategic input on working capital requirements, capital expenditure investments, and cash flow — including evaluating capex projects for return on investment
• Ensure accounts receivable are managed carefully and payments are collected according to established terms
• Monitor the financial standing of current and potential customers to minimize risk exposure
• Participate as a senior team member in the strategic planning process, ensuring plans align with long-term financial goals
• Apply benchmarking strategies, performance measurement indicators, and financial modeling to assess the risk, scalability, and impact of strategic projects
• Collaborate with senior leaders to drive operational efficiency across the organization
• Lead the ongoing learning and improvement of an internally developed ERP/finance system, with a view to streamlining processes and establishing a fast, accurate close procedure
• Manage, develop, and groom a small but experienced finance team within a fast-paced, evolving environment

• Oversee all daily activities, ensuring the accuracy of accounts payable, cash disbursements, invoicing/billing, customer credits and collections, payroll, and any other transactions.
• Responsible for performing the monthly process of closing the books and records of all operating companies, including periodic journal entries and reconciling accounts.
• Calculate accruals, asset depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and debt covenant transactions.
• Coordinate with external service providers including compliance auditors, and banking institutions.
  
  
  

• US Citizenship required
• Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in finance or accounting roles
• Demonstrated background in defense manufacturing accounting, including hands-on knowledge of FAR, DFAR, and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
• Experience in multi-site manufacturing and financial statement consolidation
• Experience with percentage-of-completion accounting
• Proven ERP system experience, including implementation or significant process improvement within an ERP environment
• Strong financial analysis, modeling, and reporting capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to lead a small finance/accounting team
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across all levels of an organization
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and evolving business environment
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA designation
• Experience working within a private equity-backed portfolio company, with familiarity with equity-based management incentive plans and liquidity events
• Prior experience in a CFO-track role
  
  
  

• Base Salary: ~$180 000 - $210 000
• Bonus: Performance-based bonus
• Equity: Equity participation through the Management Incentive Plan (MIP)
• Vacation: 3 weeks
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and ancillary coverage
• Retirement: 401(k)
  

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