Finance Leader

Position Title: Finance Leader Location: New Berlin, Wisconsin Position Summary: This is a rare opportunity to build the finance function inside a fast-growing, privately held innovator in the liquid food and beverage manufacturing space. Our client is a technology-driven, vertically integrated contract manufacturer and store-brand supplier that has grown from a single-product beginning into a diversified, multi-category operation — and they're just getting started. Founded and led by a scientist-entrepreneur, the company is now expanding into new product categories and manufacturing capabilities that few competitors nationally can match. As they scale, they need a Finance Leader who can be both a strategic partner to ownership and hands-on enough to stay close to the numbers on the plant floor. This role will own financial planning, reporting, and cost accounting across the organization, working shoulder-to-shoulder with operations, supply chain, and sales leadership. If you thrive in a business that moves fast, sometimes pivots on short notice, and wants a true partner — not just a scorekeeper — this is the seat for you. Why this role? Build and shape the finance function at a company in true growth mode, with visible, lasting impact Partner directly with ownership and operating leadership as a trusted strategic advisor, not just a back-office function Join a business entering new product categories and manufacturing capabilities that set it apart in its industry Competitive compensation, a collaborative culture, and real influence over how the finance organization is built Responsibilities: Own financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning for the organization Lead monthly close, financial reporting, and communications with executive leadership and ownership Partner with operations on cost accounting, plant-level P&Ls, yield analysis, and COGS management across multiple production lines Collaborate in real time with supply chain and operations on costing — not waiting for month-end to surface issues Manage cash flow, working capital, and banking/lender relationships Oversee treasury, tax, audit, and compliance functions, including managing the annual audit and outside advisor relationships Build financial models to support pricing decisions, customer profitability, and capacity investments Lead commodity and input cost risk management for key raw materials and packaging Partner cross-functionally with sales and pricing teams to support commercial decision-making Develop and mentor a growing finance and accounting team; upgrade systems, processes, and talent as the business scales Simplify and strengthen accounting processes, and align the organization around consistent definitions of margin, revenue, and cost Get out of the office and onto the production floor — this leader stays close to the business, not just the spreadsheets