Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Manufacturing

Charles River CFO•Boston, MA

6d•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking a highly experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to support a large-scale manufacturing organization during a critical period of transition, growth, and operational optimization. This role requires a hands-on financial leader who can quickly assess current financial operations, implement improvements, and provide strategic guidance to executive leadership. The ideal candidate brings deep experience within manufacturing environments, including cost accounting, supply chain finance, and operational efficiency, along with a proven ability to lead through change.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
CPA, MBA, or equivalent advanced certification preferred
Minimum of 10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, including CFO or senior finance roles
Proven experience within a manufacturing environment (required)
Strong understanding of: Cost accounting and inventory management Supply chain finance Capital expenditure planning
Demonstrated success in turnaround, transformation, or interim leadership roles
Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a fast-paced environment
Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar)
Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting private equity-backed or closely held manufacturing companies
Background in multi-site manufacturing operations

Responsibilities

Provide executive-level financial leadership and act as a strategic partner to the CEO and leadership team
Assess and stabilize financial operations, including accounting, reporting, and internal controls
Oversee preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
Lead cash flow management, liquidity planning, and working capital optimization
Implement and improve cost accounting practices, including standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory management
Drive financial planning & analysis (FP&A), including budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking
Identify operational inefficiencies and implement cost reduction and margin improvement initiatives
Partner with operations to align financial strategy with production, supply chain, and procurement activities
Serve as primary liaison with external auditors, lenders, and stakeholders
Support ERP optimization or system implementations, if applicable
Ensure compliance with GAAP, regulatory requirements, and internal policies
Lead or support special projects, including restructuring, M&A activity, or capital strategy