Vice President, Finance and Administration

Job Description
Job Description
Reports To
President / CEO
Salary will be determined by experience $150k+
(Regular interaction with Board of Directors and Ownership)

Position Summary
The Vice President, Finance and Administration is a senior executive responsible for the overall financial stewardship, administrative leadership, and regulatory compliance of a multi-entity, cross-border manufacturing organization. As a member of the executive leadership team, the VP provides strategic direction and oversight for finance, accounting, payroll, compliance, and administrative functions, ensuring the organization’s financial strength, operational discipline, and long-term sustainability.

This role oversees financial operations for multiple U.S. and Canadian legal entities, all subject to external audits, and serves as a key advisor to the CEO and executive team on financial strategy, capital planning, risk management, and enterprise performance. The VP also leads cross-border payroll and compliance for over 100 employees across multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces, while maintaining strong governance, controls, and audit readiness.

Key Responsibilities
Executive Financial Strategy & Leadership
Serve as a strategic business partner to the CEO and executive leadership team, contributing to enterprise-wide planning and decision-making. Develop and lead the company’s financial strategy, aligning capital allocation, investment priorities, and risk management with business objectives. Provide financial insight and analysis to support growth initiatives, operational excellence, and profitability improvement. Present financial performance, forecasts, and strategic analysis to the Board of Directors and ownership, as required.

Financial Oversight & Governance
Provide executive oversight of accounting, financial reporting, and internal control functions across all U.S. and Canadian entities. Ensure consistent accounting policies, strong governance, and effective internal controls across the organization. Maintain compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions of operation. Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial information at the enterprise level.

Audit, Tax & External Stakeholder Management
Act as the executive lead for all external audits, ensuring effective coordination, issue resolution, and timely completion. Oversee tax strategy and compliance in collaboration with external advisors, covering U.S. federal, state, local, and Canadian federal and provincial requirements. Manage senior-level relationships with external auditors, banks, lenders, insurers, and professional advisors. Support financing activities, banking relationships, and covenant compliance, as applicable.

Payroll, HR Administration & Compliance
Provide executive oversight of U.S. and Canadian payroll operations for over 100 employees across multiple states and provinces. Ensure compliance with employment standards, payroll tax regulations, and statutory reporting requirements in all jurisdictions. Oversee benefits administration and related financial obligations, in coordination with HR leadership or external providers. Ensure appropriate policies, controls, and risk mitigation practices related to payroll and employee administration.

ERP, Systems & Process Excellence
Provide executive sponsorship and governance for the financial use of the SYSPRO ERP system. Ensure ERP and financial systems support accurate reporting, operational visibility, and scalable growth. Champion continuous improvement, process standardization, and automation across finance and administrative functions. Partner with operations and IT leadership to strengthen data integrity, controls, and system effectiveness.

Enterprise Risk & Regulatory Compliance
Lead enterprise-level financial risk management, including regulatory, operational, and compliance risks across jurisdictions. Monitor regulatory and legislative changes in the U.S. and Canada and assess impacts on business operations and financial strategy. Ensure corporate governance, statutory filings, and record retention requirements are met for all entities. Leadership, Culture & Talent Development
Lead and develop the finance and administration leadership team, ensuring strong succession planning and capability development.

Establish clear expectations, performance metrics, and accountability across finance and administrative functions. Promote a culture of integrity, transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. Serve as a visible, trusted leader across the organization. Qualifications & Experience
Education & Credentials
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field required. CPA, CMA, or equivalent professional designation strongly preferred; MBA is an asset.

Experience
12–15+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including senior executive leadership roles. Significant experience in a manufacturing environment strongly preferred. Proven experience overseeing multi-entity, cross-border financial operations and external audits. Demonstrated expertise in U.S. and Canadian accounting, payroll, tax, and regulatory compliance. Strong ERP leadership experience; SYSPRO experience is a significant asset. Experience working with Boards, ownership groups, lenders, or private equity is an asset.

Skills & Leadership Competencies
Strategic thinker with strong commercial and operational acumen. Deep technical financial expertise paired with executive-level judgment. Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization. Excellent communication skills, including executive and board-level presentations. High integrity, discretion, and commitment to sound governance.