Vice President, Finance

About the Company

Our client is a vertically integrated aerospace and defense precision manufacturer with a multi-decade track record supplying mission-critical, high-tolerance machined hardware, large complex assemblies, and finished components to leading aerospace, space, and defense customers. Now backed by a global private-equity firm, the company is executing an ambitious growth and operational-excellence agenda and is investing in its people, systems, and capacity. This search is being conducted on a confidential basis. The hiring company’s identity will be shared with qualified candidates during the interview process.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Finance is the senior-most finance leader at the Company and a key member of the executive team. Reporting to the CEO and partnering closely with the private-equity sponsor, this role owns the full finance function—FP&A, accounting, treasury, and reporting—for a fast-growing, private-equity-backed defense manufacturer. The VP, Finance will build the financial infrastructure, discipline, and forward-looking analytics needed to scale the business, support M&A and integration activity, and deliver against an aggressive value-creation plan.

Key Responsibilities

• Own all financial planning and analysis: annual budgets, rolling forecasts, long-range plans, and variance analysis tied to operational and program-level drivers.
• Lead the monthly close, consolidated financial statements, and lender/sponsor reporting packages, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and GAAP compliance.
• Serve as the primary finance partner to the private-equity sponsor’s deal team; prepare board materials, KPI dashboards, and value-creation tracking.
• Direct treasury and working-capital management, including cash forecasting, covenant compliance, capital expenditure planning, and banking relationships.
• Build and oversee government-contract and cost accounting practices appropriate to a defense supplier (job costing, standard costing, indirect rate development, and DCAA-aligned controls).
• Lead pricing, margin, and program profitability analysis to inform bids, make-vs-buy decisions, and capacity investment.
• Strengthen the internal control environment and lead the annual audit and tax processes with external advisors.
• Drive continued maturation of the enterprise ERP financial modules and reporting; champion data integrity and automation across the finance organization.
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing accounting and FP&A team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive finance leadership, including a senior finance role (Controller, Finance Director, or VP) within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated command of standard-cost / job-cost manufacturing accounting and inventory.
• Experience supporting a private-equity-owned business, including lender covenant and sponsor reporting.
• Strong FP&A, modeling, and board-level communication skills.
• Working knowledge of an enterprise ERP and advanced Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, MBA, or CMA.
• Direct experience in aerospace & defense or another regulated manufacturing sector.
• Familiarity with government-contract / DCAA cost accounting, FAR/DFARS, and indirect rate structures.
• Hands-on experience with Epicor (Kinetic) ERP.
• Prior involvement in M&A, integration, or a finance transformation.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary range of $190,000 – $225,000, commensurate with experience, plus an annual performance bonus and a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off). The posted range reflects the anticipated base pay for this role in California; actual compensation will depend on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Work Authorization & Eligibility

This position supports ITAR- and EAR-controlled programs. Applicants must be a “U.S. Person” as defined under 22 CFR §120.62 (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual). The facility is access-controlled and the role is subject to a background check and, for certain programs, eligibility for a U.S. government security clearance.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected-veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.