Director of Finance

At Faber-Castell our vision is to unleash creative potential, and our mission is to create experiences that inspire self-expression! 

Internationally known for superb quality, innovation and creativity, the Faber-Castell family of products remain unique throughout the world. Faber-Castell offers a “Companion for Life” portfolio of quality branded products with true points of difference. Our widely acclaimed brands include: Creativity for Kids® craft kits, Premium Children’s Art Products, Creative Studio for aspiring artists and adult students, Art & Graphic art materials, and Faber-Castell Fine Writing brands. 

Faber-Castell USA is looking for a strong visionary and integrity-focused Finance Leader to join our growing organization. As the Director of Finance at Faber Castell USA, based in our brand-new state-of-the-art facility in Independence, Ohio, you will lead and oversee the financial activities of the organization, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and driving financial strategy to facilitate growth and operational efficiency. This role involves managing budgeting, cost-benefit analysis, forecasting, securing new funding, and providing strategic financial insights at the global level.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Oversight:

• Manage all activities and staff of the Accounting, Finance, and IT Departments.
• Oversee all company accounting practices, including the accounting departments, preparing budgets, financial reports, tax, and audit functions.
• Supervise financial staff, reviewing departments’ budgeting and accounting reports.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting.
• Provide strong financial guidance related to customer net profitability and specific program reviews.

2. Strategic Planning:

• Participation in Senior Management business analysis, decision making, and strategic planning. 
• Serve as key advisor to the CEO on all financial and strategic direction.
• Develop financial strategies by forecasting capital, facilities, and staff requirements, identifying monetary resources, and developing action plans.
• Monitor financial performance by measuring and analyzing results, initiating corrective actions, and minimizing the impact of variances.
• Provide business analysis and commentary for various Parent Company reporting requirements.

3. Reporting and Compliance:

• Oversee annual detail expense budgeting processes and ongoing spending variance analysis.
• Manage local banking relationships and treasury activities.
• Manage property and casualty Insurance Broker relationships and activity.
• Manage legal aspects related to contract management and Intellectual Property activity as well as local Law Firm relationships.
• Report financial status by developing forecasts, reporting results, analyzing variances, and developing improvements.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, anticipating future legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, filing financial reports, and advising management on needed actions.
• Manage ongoing reporting of financials to global corporate finance in Germany, ensuring accurate and timely communication of the US subsidiary’s financial status.

4. Budget Management:

• Prepare Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cashflow projections for short-term and long-term planning.
• Oversee annual detail expense Budgeting processes and ongoing spending variance analysis.
• Collaborate with departmental managers to analyze and control expenditures of the organization to conform to budgetary requirements.

5. Investment and Asset Management:

• Manage daily, monthly, and annual cashflow, working capital financing, and projections.
• Evaluate and advise on long-term planning, including proposed capital investments and strategic acquisition/divestiture decisions.
• Manage Capital Expenditure planning and analysis, short term and long-term.
• Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines.

6. Leadership and Team Development:

• Lead the Finance, Accounting, Purchasing & IT Teams, promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach: assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and monitor and evaluate results.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business required, Master’s Degree (MBA) preferred.

• 10 years’ experience in a management position within a Finance Department.

• Strong people management skills and ability to interact effectively at all levels of the organization.

• Ability to communicate and work effectively with Parent Company Senior Management and Board of Directors.

• Experience in a manufacturing or distribution company serving retail customers.

• Strong financial analysis and forecasting acumen.

• Strong IT experience and ERP knowledge base, SAP experience a plus.

• Knowledge of Intellectual Property matters as well as general legal business-related activities.

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and concepts with GAAP and IFRS reporting

• Experience in Credit Department functions and credit decision making.

Personal Attributes:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present and explain financial information to non-financial audiences.

• Strong leadership qualities with a firm and fair approach to management.

• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package including health, vision, and dental insurance.

• Retirement plan contributions.

• Generous PTO and holiday policies.

• Opportunities for advancement and professional growth within the company.