Sr. Operational Finance Manager

Required Qualifications:

• Strong communicator, both written and oral; comfortable presenting to plant General Managers, executive leadership, and the Board.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Industrial Engineering, or related field; MBA, CPA, CMA, or CFA designation strongly preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive finance experience, with at least 6 years embedded in a manufacturing, chemical, or process-industry operations finance role at the plant or multi-plant level.
• Must have experience in a manufacturing facility with strong technical and financial background, including standard costing, variance analysis, capital appropriation, and inventory management.
• Computer proficiency - ERP financial modules (SAP, D365, Oracle, Epicor or equivalent) a must. Advanced Excel modeling, Power BI or equivalent BI tools proficiency preferred but not required
• Working knowledge of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) - SOX-equivalent controls under Canadian NI 52-109 (parent company is TSX-listed), U.S. GAAP / IFRS reconciliation principles, and Sarbanes-Oxley-style documentation discipline.
• Strong leadership skills, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; demonstrated ability to influence without authority across operations, supply chain, engineering, and commercial teams.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship; based in or willing to relocate to the Newton / Statesville, NC area.
• Available to travel 10–25% across the North American plant network and to NanoXplore's Montréal headquarters as required.

Critical Success Factors:

• High level of time management and organizational skills; able to operate across multiple plants and time zones with competing priorities.
• Contribute to ongoing improvements to throughput, inventory, and operational expense across the NA plant network.
• Ensure and measure improvements made in the efficiency of manpower, materials, and machines through disciplined operational analysis and cost-out tracking.
• Ensure that appropriate training, coaching, and discipline are given to develop plant-level financial analysts and (in Year 2+) plant controllers to high performance.
• Remains abreast of new developments in operations finance, advanced materials, and graphene markets; interchanges knowledge with other members of the organization.
• Fosters and champions team spirit amongst plant personnel and encourages input and participation. Participates in and contributes enthusiastically towards the creation and growth of a spirit of openness, trust, and respect throughout the entire organization.
• Operates effectively across the dual reporting line (CFO solid / VP Operations dotted); able to disagree with either leader when the data warrants without losing the room.
• Responsibilities:
• Oversee financial performance across all NanoXplore North American manufacturing sites - graphene production, composites molding, and plastics compounding.
• Own the monthly plant P&L review cadence with each plant General Manager; deliver standardized plant financial packages across the NA network.
• Identify, quantify, and drive margin improvement opportunities - yield, scrap, OEE, energy intensity, labor productivity, indirect spend, freight, and material substitution. Build and own a North American cost-out pipeline with prioritized initiatives, owners, savings targets, and tracking discipline.
• Must oversee financial implications of line stops, safety incidents, scrap events, and chronic defects; quantify the cost of poor quality and the business case for corrective action.
• Participate in the reviewing process of the following items:
  • Development of plant budgets and controlling costs; review weekly forecasts, capital expenditures, and headcount.
  • Strengthen the competitive position of the plants to enable growth through new business; review customer quotes, pricing decisions, and Commercial team presentations.
  • Development of operational and financial business plans aimed at achieving established margin, cost, and capital efficiency goals.
  • Development of plant-level financial policies and procedures, including standard cost methodology, capex governance, and post-completion audits.
  • Protect the assets of the company through disciplined working capital management, inventory accuracy, and capex stewardship.
• Abide by all company policies including, but not limited to: Health and Safety, Quality and Environmental Systems, Human Resources policies, and the NanoXplore Employee Handbook.
• Participate in internal quality and financial audits to determine the effectiveness of the quality, environmental, and financial control systems.
• Support internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) consistent with NI 52-109 (Canadian parent company, TSX: GRA) and Sarbanes-Oxley-style documentation practices: maintain audit-ready process narratives, control matrices, and evidence files for all operations finance processes (standard costing, capex approval, inventory valuation, plant P&L close).
• Partner with the External Audit team, Internal Audit (if/when established), and Finance Director on quarterly and annual reviews, walkthroughs, and control testing related to manufacturing finance.
• Support a safe and secure work environment when on plant floors; lead by example on PPE and safety protocols.
• Manages financial policy deployment in the areas of Lean Manufacturing, quality, cost reduction, complete and on-time delivery, safety economics, customer satisfaction, employee productivity, visual controls, and plant performance measures.
• Lead the financial review of every NA capital appropriation request: NPV, IRR, payback, sensitivity analysis, and post-completion audit at 12 and 24 months.
• Drive working capital improvement across the network - raw material days, WIP, finished goods, and AP terms - in partnership with Supply Chain and Treasury.
• Support sustainability reporting with the financial backbone - energy cost, carbon-related operating costs, and the business case for sustainability capex (a strategic priority at NanoXplore).
• Prepare monthly operations finance packages for the executive team and quarterly operational performance materials for the Board.