Controller, Finance & Banking, Financial Manager

Founded in 1954,
Vibrant Ingredients is a leading provider of natural, clean label ingredients and systems that power extraordinary food and beverage experiences. The company’s broad portfolio includes natural flavors, botanical extracts, functional nutrition, cold brew coffee, tea essences, and food protection solutions that enhance taste, texture, color, shelf life, and performance across a wide range of applications. Vibrant operates four state‑of‑the‑art facilities across the United States and works with leading brands, manufacturers, and food service operators.

With vertically integrated capabilities and a proven track record of innovation and execution, Vibrant helps customers accelerate to market without compromise.

We are a trusted partner to our customers when it comes to innovation and an industry leader in clean label ingredients, we are a true partner. We collaborate with our customers in ways that respect people and the environment. A commitment to Purely Better™ drives our innovation team to discover new, on‑trend solutions.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Essential job functions and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as the site CFO-equivalent for both Indianapolis and Vista, managing all aspects of plant-level financials, reporting, and strategic partnership.
• Act as the primary finance liaison between site operations and Corporate FP&A / Centers of Excellence, ensuring transparency, alignment, and accountability.
• Partner closely with Plant Management, Operations, Supply Chain, and Corporate Finance to align execution with financial objectives.

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring compliance with US GAAP and internal control policies.
• Lead deep‑drive cost and margin analysis, including BOM variances, yield analysis, absorption, labor efficiency, and overhead allocation.
• Develop and maintain robust KPIs, dashboards, and variance analysis with clear storytelling for senior leadership.

• Lead the annual plant budgeting and forecasting processes using driver‑based modeling and scenario planning.
• Provide forward‑looking insights to support decision‑making, capital investments, and operational trade‑offs.
• Support strategic initiatives including ERP costing enhancements, audits, capital projects, and integration activities.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives tied to financial rigor, lean operations, and working capital optimization.
• Establish and lead a cross-site financial governance cadence, including weekly financial huddles and monthly KPI reviews.
• Mentor and coach cross‑functional non‑finance leaders to strengthen financial acumen across the shop floor.

• Lead, coach, and mentor one Accounting Lead supporting both sites.
• Drive clarity of priorities, accountability, professional development, and high‑quality outcomes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field (MBA or CPA strongly preferred).
• 8+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, ideally within manufacturing, cost accounting, or CPG environments.
• Strong experience in manufacturing finance management within complex operational settings.
• Hands‑on ERP experience (Microsoft Business Central or Great Plains preferred).

• Proven ability to lead in fast‑paced, high‑mix / high‑volume manufacturing environments.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complexity into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with operations to drive performance and results.
• Private equity, M&A, or post‑integration experience strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in food & beverage or clean label / natural ingredient manufacturing.
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