Manager, Strategic Operations and Finance

Milton CAT•Milford, MA

7h•$115,000 - $135,000

About The Position

Milton CAT is seeking a high-impact, analytically driven leader to partner directly with the COO in driving operational, financial, and digital transformation across the organization. This role sits at the intersection of finance, operations, and technology, with a mandate to improve visibility, strengthen decision-making, and accelerate execution across a complex, multi-division business. The ideal candidate will act as both a business analyst and operational leader, translating financial and operational data into actionable insights while working closely with operating managers to improve performance, accountability, and efficiency. This individual will also serve as a central driver of cross-functional initiatives, helping to modernize processes, implement digital tools, and build a more data-driven culture.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Operations, or related field; MBA preferred
3–6+ years of experience in operations, finance, consulting, or transformation roles
Strong analytical skills with ability to move from data → insight → action
Experience working in complex, multi-site operational environments preferred
Familiarity with ERP systems (D365 preferred) and dashboard/reporting tools
Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders
Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
Builder mindset — thrives in 0→1 environments and creating structure where none exists
Operator-first thinker — focuses on how the business actually runs, not just how it reports
Data-driven — prioritizes facts and uses analysis to drive decisions
Challenger (with tact) — willing to ask hard questions and push for better outcomes
Low ego, high ownership — willing to dig into details and work alongside teams
Translator — able to connect finance, operations, and technology into clear action

Responsibilities

Develop and implement consistent monthly reporting processes (e.g., accelerated close, standardized reporting cadence)
Analyze performance across operating groups, including pricing, gross margins, and cost drivers
Build P&L visibility at the location and customer level to better understand profitability and performance drivers
Identify and investigate discrepancies (e.g., shipped but not invoiced activity, aging inventory, margin leakage)
Synthesize data into clear, actionable insights for executive and operational leadership
Serve as a trusted partner to the COO, supporting cross-functional priorities and operational decision-making
Lead and coordinate high-impact initiatives across business units (e.g., cce segment launch, operational improvements)
Drive meeting cadence, accountability, and follow-through across operating teams
Act as a “connector” across departments, ensuring alignment between operations, finance, and commercial teams
Diagnose inefficiencies in workflows across branches and functions (Sales, Service, Parts, Rentals, Power Systems)
Standardize and streamline processes to improve consistency, speed, and execution
Improve communication and coordination between teams, particularly around revenue-generating activities
Identify opportunities to improve field productivity, service delivery, and operational throughput
Support ERP transition to Microsoft Dynamics 365, including alignment of reporting, workflows, and data structures
Partner with teams to improve integration across systems and reduce reliance on manual processes
Help translate digital initiatives (AI models, inventory optimization tools, service applications) into practical, scalable use cases
Drive adoption of new tools and ensure business teams understand and leverage available capabilities
Analyze inventory levels, aging, and obsolescence; support initiatives to improve turnover and working capital
Evaluate pricing strategies and margin performance across business lines
Partner with Sales and Operations to align pricing, demand, and inventory decisions
Support initiatives to improve responsiveness to leads and customer engagement (e.g., 30-minute response targets)
Help foster a more data-driven, accountable, and proactive culture across the organization
Challenge existing processes and assumptions while building trust with operating teams
Encourage a shift from reactive reporting to forward-looking decision-making
Support leadership in driving greater ownership and accountability at the operating level