Finance Manager, Manufacturing Finance

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms. JOB OVERVIEW We are seeking a Finance Manager to lead a defined area of Manufacturing Finance. This role owns product costing, manufacturing planning and forecasting, and operational reporting, connecting what happens on the factory floor and in the supply chain to financial outcomes. You will serve as a direct finance partner to senior leaders in Manufacturing, Operations, and Supply Chain. This is a player-coach role. You will start as a hands-on leader of the work and will grow to lead a team of two to four finance professionals as the function scales. You will spend most of your time leading rather than doing, setting the quality bar, and making your team better, faster, and more accurate over time. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working side by side with operators and engineers, building scalable costing and reporting processes, and bringing financial clarity to a fast-moving, high-growth manufacturing environment. RESPONSIBILITIES - Lead Manufacturing Finance for your area. Own manufacturing budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and production-driven planning, and be accountable for the outcomes, resources, and development of the team over time. - Build and maintain overhead pools and overhead rates. Create and maintain overhead pools and rates (e.g., labor, facility, and indirect cost allocation) and provide them to the standard cost process. - Analyze manufacturing variances. Lead analysis of purchase price, material usage, labor, overhead, and yield variances, and drive root-cause conversations and corrective actions with operations leaders. - Drive COGS and margin visibility. Deliver product- and program-level cost and gross margin analysis, including inventory valuation, cost of goods sold, and the financial impact of design and sourcing changes. - Partner with Supply Chain. Work with Procurement and Supply Chain on supplier pricing, make-vs-buy decisions, material cost forecasting, inventory levels, and the financial impact of lead times and shortages. - Build and develop a team. Grow into leading a team of two to four analysts and senior analysts by hiring, coaching, setting priorities, and allocating resources based on performance data and business needs. - Partner with senior leaders. Work directly with director-level and executive partners in Manufacturing, Operations, and Engineering to translate operational drivers into financial insights and recommendations. - Own the financial models. Oversee production, material, labor, and capacity models that support operating forecasts, headcount planning, and cash and working capital planning. - Support capital and investment decisions. Lead scenario analysis, sensitivity modeling, and ROI assessments for capacity expansion, tooling, automation, and equipment investments. - Prepare management reporting. Produce and review monthly business reviews, budget vs. actuals, forecast updates, and executive presentation materials with clear commentary on key drivers. - Partner with Accounting. Work with Accounting through month-end close on inventory, absorption, and cost accounting entries to ensure accurate reporting and alignment between actuals and forecasts. - Set the quality bar. Define and monitor quality metrics for team output, and drive a culture of continuous improvement aligned with Saronic standards. - Remove barriers and keep work moving. Anticipate challenges, resolve conflicting priorities, and adjust team focus as production and business needs change. - Drive process and tooling improvements. Improve costing, reporting, and planning processes and tools (e.g., NetSuite, Adaptive, Foundry, or similar ERP and planning systems) to support a scalable finance function. - Manage stakeholder expectations. Ensure the team's contributions support broader business objectives and communicate trade-offs clearly. QUALIFICATIONS - 7-9 years of experience in manufacturing finance, cost accounting, FP&A, or a related analytical role, including experience leading or mentoring others. - Hands-on experience with standard costing, including cost roll-ups, variance analysis, and inventory valuation. - Experience in product manufacturing environments, with a working understanding of production processes, BOMs, routings, and factory cost drivers. - Experience working with Supply Chain and Procurement, including supplier cost analysis, material planning, and inventory management. - Strong financial modeling and analytical skills, with experience building integrated forecasts and decision-support models. - Demonstrated ability to lead through others, set priorities, and hold a team accountable for high-quality results. - Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and communicate financial insights clearly to operations and executive stakeholders. - Sound judgment in making day-to-day decisions on team resourcing and priorities, and in escalating complex issues appropriately. - Comfortable operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with evolving priorities and multiple work streams. - Experience improving financial reporting, systems, or tools (e.g., NetSuite, Adaptive, Foundry, or similar). - Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; advanced degree or certification (MBA, CPA, CMA) is a plus. Preferred Qualifications - Experience in high-growth, defense, aerospace, shipbuilding, robotics, or deep-tech manufacturing environments. - Experience building or scaling a finance team, including hiring and developing talent. - Experience with low-volume, high-complexity, or program-based manufacturing and the transition from prototype to production costing. - Familiarity with working capital, cash flow forecasting, and manufacturing performance metrics. - Exposure to capital planning, capacity analysis, or investment analysis for manufacturing assets. - Experience with government contract costing or cost accounting standards. - Comfortable interpreting accounting data and translating financial results into actionable business insights. PHYSICAL DEMANDS - Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer - Occasional standing and walking within the office - Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment - Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports - Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies - Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages) BENEFITS Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees https://saronic-assets-public.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Saronic%20CCPA%20Notice%20for%20Candidates%20and%20California%20Employees.pdf If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/8/1324b. Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.