Finance Controller

CEL - Critical Power•Williamsburg, VA

About The Position

CEL Critical Power is seeking a senior finance leader to lead its US finance function in a high-growth, project-driven manufacturing environment. The Finance Controller will partner closely with operations, production, supply chain, engineering, project management and executive leadership, and will help build scalable finance infrastructure to support substantial US growth in the data center sector. The role combines financial control and compliance, manufacturing and project accounting, working capital and cash flow management, commercial finance and operational partnering, systems and process improvement, and leadership in a fast-scaling business. The successful candidate will oversee US finance operations and project accounting, guide cash and working-capital performance, provide commercial and operational insight, improve finance systems and reporting, and develop the US finance team over time. CEL is an Irish-based manufacturer, distributor and exporter of electrical switchgear, controls and related products and services. The company has operated for over four decades and is expanding into US manufacturing while serving the global data center industry.

Requirements

7–15+ years of finance experience, with progression into senior finance leadership.
Experience in manufacturing, engineered products, construction, industrial projects or related sectors.
Strong understanding of project accounting and operational finance.
Experience managing working capital in project-based environments.
Strong financial control and reporting background.
Experience operating in a scaling or fast-growth business environment.
ERP experience is essential.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.

Nice To Haves

SAP Business ByDesign experience.
Data center, electrical, modular construction or industrial manufacturing exposure.
Multi-entity or international group experience.
Experience with percentage-of-completion accounting.
Exposure to US sales tax compliance and multi-state operations.
Experience supporting operational KPI and Power BI reporting environments.
CPA or equivalent professional qualification.

Responsibilities

Lead US finance operations, including month-end close, reporting, controls and compliance.
Deliver accurate and timely monthly management accounts, maintain balance sheet reconciliations and support financial governance.
Manage US statutory, sales tax and regulatory compliance requirements; support annual audits and external advisor relationships.
Oversee project accounting for large-scale engineered-to-order manufacturing contracts, including percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, WIP, accrued revenue, deferred revenue and project margin reporting.
Partner with operations to improve labor utilization, productivity, project costing accuracy, material usage, scrap recovery, manufacturing variance management and cost controls.
Support inventory accuracy, valuation and operational finance reporting.
Lead US cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning; manage debtor collections, milestone billing and customer cash conversion.
Monitor DSO, inventory turns and supplier payment performance.
Support banking relationships and financing initiatives, including working-capital facilities and asset-based lending structures.
Partner with project managers and operational leaders on profitability, risk and execution; support bid reviews, commercial assessments and contract governance.
Provide financial insight into pricing, margins and operational performance, and promote accountability through KPI reporting and business analytics.
Improve finance processes, controls and reporting automation; support the rollout and optimization of SAP Business ByDesign and Power BI reporting.
Develop scalable reporting structures for a growing multi-site US operation and help integrate labor, production and project performance reporting.
Build and develop the US finance team over time, serve as a member of the US leadership team, and work closely with Group Finance and leadership teams in Ireland and the US.