Vice President of Finance - Optical Systems

Description

ABOUT US

Join a Global Photonics Leader Engineering Solutions from the Deep Ocean to Outer Space!

G&H is a world leader in photonics technology, delivering advanced optical systems, components, and solutions that support mission-critical applications across aerospace, defense, life sciences, industrial manufacturing, medical technology, and research markets.  

Through a commitment to technical excellence, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction, G&H provides employees with the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies while collaborating with highly skilled engineering and manufacturing professionals in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an accomplished Vice President of Finance to provide strategic financial leadership for our Optical Systems US Business Unit. Reporting to the Group Chief Financial Officer and serving as a key strategic partner to the Executive Vice President, Optical Systems US, this leader will play a critical role in driving profitable growth, operational excellence, and financial performance across four US sites and future growth opportunities.

This role extends beyond traditional financial oversight, requiring deep expertise in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), commercial finance, and manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will establish robust financial planning processes, develop meaningful performance metrics, and bring greater rigor, structure, and discipline to business decisions and execution. As a key member of the Business Unit leadership team, this individual will translate financial insights into actionable strategies, strengthen accountability, and help build a consistently high-performing, profitable business.

The ideal candidate will live within a drivable distance to our Tampa, FL location. This role will require extensive travel to our locations in Tampa, FL, Keene, NH, Rochester, NY and Moorpark, CA. 

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Strategic Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Business Unit EVP and leadership team, providing financial insights, constructive challenge, and recommendations to drive profitable growth and long-term value creation.
• Partner with operational and commercial leaders to evaluate growth opportunities, investments, pricing strategies, product line profitability, and business cases, ensuring decisions are supported by rigorous financial analysis.
• Lead financial strategy and performance improvement initiatives across the Business Unit, identifying opportunities to strengthen margins, optimize costs, and improve return on investment.

Financial Planning, Analysis & Performance Management

• Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning processes, including scenario modeling, sensitivity analysis, and proactive identification of risks and opportunities.
• Design and implement robust financial and operational KPIs, dashboards, and performance reviews that provide visibility into profitability, productivity, cost performance, and execution against business objectives.
• Establish a disciplined performance management framework, including variance analysis, root-cause assessment, and corrective action planning, to drive accountability and consistent delivery of financial targets.

Operational Finance & Financial Governance

• Partner with site and functional leadership to optimize manufacturing costs, standard costing, inventory, working capital, and cash flow while improving operational efficiency and financial predictability.
• Oversee financial reporting, accounting integrity, internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance with applicable accounting standards, corporate policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive consistency and continuous improvement in financial processes, systems, reporting, and controls across all US Business Unit operations.

Leadership, Transformation & Business Growth

• Lead, coach, and develop the US finance team, including site financial controllers, fostering a culture of accountability, analytical excellence, and proactive business partnership.
• Support business transformation, integration, and growth initiatives, including acquisitions, financial due diligence, operational restructuring, and the implementation of scalable financial processes.
• Collaborate closely with Group Finance and cross-functional leadership to align financial priorities, strengthen organizational capabilities, and embed G&H's core values of Customer Focus, Integrity, Action, Unity, and      Precision.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field required; MBA, CPA, or equivalent professional qualification strongly preferred.
• 15+ years significant progressive finance leadership experience, including senior-level responsibility within a complex, multisite manufacturing or industrial organization.
• Extensive FP&A expertise, including strategic planning, financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, scenario analysis, and financial performance management.
• Demonstrated success serving as a strategic finance business partner to senior executives, influencing commercial and operational decisions and driving measurable business results.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing finance, including standard costing, inventory valuation, product profitability, margin analysis, and working capital management.
• Proven ability to develop and implement financial and operational KPIs, management dashboards, and accountability frameworks that improve business performance.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, financial controls, and reporting requirements; familiarity with UK GAAP and international reporting environments preferred.
• Advanced analytical and financial modeling capabilities, with strong proficiency in Excel, ERP systems, and financial reporting or business intelligence tools.
• Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and influencing high-performing finance teams across multiple locations, including through periods of organizational change.
• Exceptional commercial acumen, communication, and executive-level influencing skills, with a proactive, results-oriented approach and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear business decisions.

Notes: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities, and dimensions of the role. Employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their manager. 

US Applicants: In the instance that the position will involve having access to items and technical data that may be controlled under U.S. export laws and regulations ("U.S. Export Control Laws"), including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"). To comply with the U.S. Export Control Laws, G&H must assess whether candidates are "U.S. persons" as defined under applicable regulations. Certain questions asked during the application process are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information may result in our inability to consider you further for this position. 

The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.