Director, Manufacturing & Distribution

Armanino LLP•Chicago, IL

4d•$177,000 - $208,200•Hybrid

About The Position

At Armanino, you determine your career path. This means it's possible to pursue challenges you are passionate about, in industries you care about. Armanino is proud to be Among the top 20 Largest Accounting and Consulting Firms in the Nation and one of the Best Places to Work. We have a community of resources that are ready and willing to support your ideas, build your skills and expand your professional network. We want you to integrate all aspects of your life with your career. At Armanino, we know you don’t check-out of life when you check-in at work. That’s why we’ve created a unique work environment where your passions, work, and family & friends can overlap. We want to help you achieve growth by giving you access to a network of smart and supportive people, willing to listen to your ideas. We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Director to lead the Manufacturing & Distribution (M&D) team within our Mid Market Outsourcing practice. This is a key leadership role responsible for practice growth, client delivery excellence, team development, and strategic oversight of complex operational accounting engagements. You will shape the direction of the practice, deepen client relationships, drive business development initiatives, and ensure our team consistently delivers high-quality results.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent experience.
Minimum of 12 years of progressive accounting or finance experience, ideally combining public accounting or consulting with hands-on M&D industry experience.
Minimum of 4 years leading managers and teams in a fast-paced, client-service environment.
Expertise in financial reporting, operational accounting, and US GAAP compliance.
Strong experience resolving complex operational accounting issues within M&D environments.
Proficiency with ERP systems (NetSuite, Dynamics, SAP, Intacct) relevant to manufacturing and distribution.
Demonstrated success driving relationships and growth.
Flexibility to work from home while collaborating in person half the time.

Nice To Haves

CPA or CMA designation.
Prior experience as a Controller, Director of Finance, VP of Finance, or similar operational leadership role within M&D.
Experience leading cloud-based accounting system implementations or major conversions.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for the M&D Outsourcing practice, guiding vision, priorities, and long-term goals in alignment with firm objectives.
Lead, develop, and mentor Managers and staff supporting multiple clients, fostering a high-performance culture centered on accountability, growth, and collaboration.
Oversee engagement delivery across the M&D client portfolio, ensuring accurate, timely, and high-quality accounting and finance operations.
Serve as the senior subject matter expert for M&D operational accounting, including inventory processes, costing, three-way match, and supply chain-related workflows.
Act as the executive-level advisor to clients, providing strategic insights, identifying operational improvements, and supporting decision-making.
Oversee full-cycle accounting, financial reporting, and compliance with US GAAP across the client portfolio.
Review and sign off on periodic management-use financial statements and supporting analyses.
Lead relationships with external auditors, internal firm stakeholders, and cross-functional partners on behalf of clients.
Direct the onboarding of new clients, including scoping, resource planning, transition oversight, and risk mitigation.
Partner closely with professional sellers and solution architects to drive business development activities—including go-to-market strategies, pricing, proposals, and client presentations.
Sponsor and support system implementation and optimization projects, guiding teams through operational accounting challenges in ERP environments (NetSuite, Dynamics, SAP, Intacct).
Develop future leaders through coaching, performance management, and ongoing skills development initiatives.
Navigate complex or ambiguous situations, set priorities for the team, and make sound decisions independently.