Director, Corporate Finance

About the Company

Brickworks North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brickworks Limited. Brickworks Limited (“The Group”) is a large Australian-listed group of companies. The Group has been in operation since the early 1900s, has a market capitalization exceeding A$3.5 billion, and operates across three core business segments: Building Products, Land & Development, and Investments. The Group employs more than 2,000 FTE employees and operates nationally across Australia and has a significant presence in the USA.

Founded in 1890, Glen-Gery Corporation is one of the nation’s largest brick manufacturers and operates nine brick manufacturing facilities and one manufactured stone facility. Glen-Gery products are sold nationally through a network of over five hundred distributors as well as in Canada. Since entering the USA in 2018, Brickworks have acquired Sioux City Brick, Redland Brick and the distribution business of Southfield Corporation in Illinois and Indiana (Illinois Brick, Indiana Brick). The combined North American business now has more than 1,000 employees, operates across forty locations, including 8 brick plants, 25 masonry supply center locations and 3 Design Studios.

 

Basic Function: Reporting to the Brickworks North America Executive Vice President, Finance, the Director, Corporate Finance position will have primary responsibility for the Company’s accounting and reporting function, including oversight of the divisional financial consolidation process, technical accounting, and internal and external reporting processes.  This position will have knowledge of IFRS and the ability to apply standard principles, theories, concepts, and techniques, as well as make complex decisions.  This includes working with the executive team to develop the financial strategy and the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve divisional assets and report accurate financial results. 

This position is a key member of the Brickworks management team and will work closely with the Brickworks North America Executive Vice President, Finance to ensure continued financial leadership for the company.

Importantly this position is constantly seeking to improve, simplify, automate, and drive continuous improvement through the Corporate Finance function and shared services.

Principal accountabilities are:

Planning

1. Monitor and direct the implementation of strategic business plans
2. Develop financial and tax strategies in conjunction with the Executive VP Finance and Brickworks parent
3. Maintain monthly and year-to-date capital expenditure reports detailing actual verses budget spending and report on variances to management
4. Develop performance measures that support the company's strategic direction

 

Operations

1. Maintain in-depth relations with all members of the management team
2. Oversee process improvement initiatives across the corporate office finance team including Account Payable and Credit together with driving standardization in finance processes and controls across the organization
3. In conjunction with the Executive Vice President, Finance, manage the tax and treasury functions
4. Manage any third parties to which functions have been outsourced
5. Coordinate month-end reporting including inventory valuation, accounts payable cutoff, preparation of general ledger entries and accruals

 

Financial Information

1. Oversee the management and coordination of all fiscal reporting for the organization, including revenue/expense and balance sheet reports and the development of budgets
2. Manage the half-yearly and annual financial period close and ensure statutory reporting package and consolidation are completed on time and accurately
3. In conjunction with the EVP Finance, participate in the preparation and submission to the parent company of weekly profit estimates and semi-annual profit forecasts

 

Taxation

1. Support tax accounting process as part of the half-year and annual financial close with third party.
2. Oversee Corporate Finance team in ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local taxes, including liaison with outsourced tax professionals

 

Risk Management

1. Understand and mitigate key elements of the company's risk profile
2. In conjunction with EVP Finance, construct and monitor reliable internal control systems
3. Work with EVP Finance and parent company to maintain appropriate insurance coverage
4. Work with EVP Finance and General Counsel to ensure that the company complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
5. Ensure that recordkeeping meets the requirements of auditors and government agencies
6. Maintain strong relations with both internal and external auditors and investigate their findings and recommendations

 

Acquisitions

1. Key role in driving integration of acquired businesses, including reporting and controls
2. Drive purchase accounting and opening balance sheet in conjunction with Brickworks Group office and EVP Finance

 

Other Duties

1. Monitor cash balances and cash forecasts to ensure effective deployment of cash to maximize company return
2. Lead, direct and develop the corporate finance team, including providing coaching and career development support
3. Provide finance leadership support to the sales and production leaders

 

Education

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
2. Master's degree in accounting or business administration
3. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or equivalent required

 

 Experience

1. Business experience of 10+ years in progressively responsible leadership positions in a major company or division. Manufacturing corporation is a plus. (Public Company/Corporate Office Experience is beneficial)
2. Candidates should possess a strong knowledge of IFRS and US GAAP
3. Demonstrated experience in managing and developing a large team
4. Experience in collaborating closely with external auditors to ensure compliance with group reporting requirements
5. High level of written and oral communication skills