Assistant Controller / Senior Financial Analyst

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly driven finance professional who wants to do more than report numbers—they want to influence business decisions, improve processes, and help shape the future of the organization.

This role serves as a strategic partner to the Controller and business leadership team, combining financial planning and analysis, manufacturing cost accounting, business performance management, and advanced data analytics. The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, highly accountable, and energized by identifying opportunities to improve how work gets done.

The successful candidate will leverage modern analytics, AI-enabled tools, automation, and process mining technologies to uncover insights, improve decision-making, and drive operational efficiency. This individual will play a critical role in forecasting, budgeting, profitability improvement, and business performance management while helping build scalable financial processes that support continued growth.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a high-performing finance professional seeking a long-term leadership path.

This position is based on site at our Elgin, IL facility to enable strong partnership with operations and business leadership. Over time, a hybrid work arrangement of up to 2 remote days per week may be available based on performance, business requirements, and organizational needs.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Finance & Business Partnership

• Serve as a trusted business partner to sales, operations, and leadership teams by providing financial insights that support profitable growth and strategic decision-making.
• Partner with business leaders to evaluate opportunities, risks, investments, pricing initiatives, and operational improvement efforts.
• Translate complex financial and operational data into actionable recommendations for executive management.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting process and monthly forecasting cycles across the business segment.
• Perform variance analysis to identify key business drivers and develop corrective action plans.
• Prepare and present monthly and quarterly business reviews highlighting financial performance, risks, opportunities, and key trends.
• Develop financial models that support strategic planning, scenario analysis, and business performance improvement.
   

Manufacturing Finance & Cost Accounting

• Analyze manufacturing costs, standard cost performance, inventory trends, and operational variances.
• Validate and improve bill of material costing structures to ensure accurate product costing and inventory valuation.
• Support enhancement of cost accounting methodologies and reporting processes.
• Identify cost optimization opportunities through detailed financial and operational analysis.

Data Analytics, AI & Process Improvement

• Utilize advanced analytics, AI tools, automation technologies, and process mining platforms such as Celonis to identify inefficiencies and drive process improvements.
• Develop scalable dashboards, reporting solutions, and analytical models that improve visibility and decision-making.
• Lead finance transformation initiatives that reduce manual work, improve data quality, and increase organizational efficiency.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by challenging existing processes and implementing best practices.

Leadership & Organizational Impact

• Influence cross-functional teams and drive initiatives without direct authority.
• Support the Controller in strengthening financial controls, reporting processes, and operational workflows.
• Contribute to long-term finance organization development and succession planning.
• Act as a change agent who promotes accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

The ideal candidate:

• Constantly asks "Why?" and challenges conventional thinking.
• Demonstrates a strong ownership mentality and follows through on commitments.
• Uses data to drive decisions rather than relying on assumptions.
• Sees opportunities where others see obstacles.
• Is energized by solving complex business problems.
• Has the confidence to engage with executives and the humility to learn continuously.
• Balances strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Operates with a high level of integrity, accountability, and professional excellence.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field.
• 5–10 years of progressive experience in financial analysis, FP&A, manufacturing finance, cost accounting, or controlling.
• Strong experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and business performance analysis.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, including standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.
• Advanced Excel skills, including financial modeling and large data-set analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems; SAP S/4HANA preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and drive change across functions.
• Proven track record of identifying and implementing process improvements using advanced analytics, AI tools, or other automation technologies,
• Proficiency in Python, Power BI, SQL, Microsoft Fabric, or other advanced analytics tools.

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to directly influence business performance and strategic decisions.
• Significant exposure to executive leadership and operational leadership teams.
• Ability to drive AI, analytics, and finance transformation initiatives.
• Clear path for professional growth with the potential to advance into a leadership role.
• Collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.

Your contact person(s) for this job posting is/are:

Flender is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.