Director of Finance / Controller – Vendor Settlements & Corporate Finance
We are seeking a highly analytical, detail-oriented, and hands-on Director of Finance / Controller to lead all financial operations for our growing distribution, repair, and equipment business.
This executive-level position will play a critical role in rebuilding and strengthening the company's financial foundation following a change in ownership. In addition to overseeing accounting, inventory, financial reporting, banking relationships, and operational finance, this individual will be responsible for validating and negotiating outstanding liabilities inherited from prior ownership.
The ideal candidate has strong finance and accounting experience combined with legal or paralegal experience in contract review, debt validation, commercial collections, or creditor negotiations. This individual must be comfortable challenging unsupported claims, reviewing contracts, communicating with attorneys and creditors, and negotiating favorable settlements while protecting the company's legal and financial interests.
Key ResponsibilitiesDebt Validation & Vendor Settlement
- Lead all negotiations involving outstanding vendor balances and obligations from prior ownership.
- Contact vendors, creditors, collection agencies, and attorneys to validate claimed balances.
- Require vendors to provide signed contracts, purchase orders, invoices, delivery documentation, account statements, and supporting documentation before acknowledging any debt.
- Review contracts and agreements to determine the company's legal responsibility for outstanding obligations.
- Identify disputed, unauthorized, duplicate, or unsupported claims.
- Coordinate with outside legal counsel when contract interpretation or litigation support is required.
- Negotiate payment plans, settlements, discounts, releases, and debt restructures that protect company cash flow.
- Maintain complete documentation of all negotiations and settlement agreements.
- Ensure all settlements include appropriate releases of liability whenever possible.
Financial Management & Reporting
- Oversee all accounting functions including monthly close, account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
- Ensure accuracy of inventory valuation, COGS, gross margin reporting, and financial reporting.
- Develop weekly executive KPI dashboards covering:
- Revenue
- Gross Margin
- Cash Flow
- Inventory Turns
- Accounts Receivable
- Accounts Payable
- Operating Expenses
- Analyze financial performance and provide recommendations to ownership.
Inventory & ERP Management (Cin7 Core)
- Manage and optimize inventory within Cin7 Core.
- Reconcile inventory discrepancies.
- Improve inventory accuracy and valuation.
- Develop processes for real-time inventory visibility.
- Work with operations to improve inventory turnover and reduce shrinkage.
Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable & Payroll
- Oversee AP and AR operations.
- Improve collections and working capital.
- Supervise payroll processing and compliance.
- Ensure vendor payments are accurate and strategically managed.
- Develop cash flow forecasting and payment prioritization.
Vendor & Supply Chain Management
- Source and evaluate new vendors.
- Negotiate pricing, payment terms, freight agreements, and supplier contracts.
- Review vendor agreements for legal and financial risk.
- Improve procurement processes and supplier performance.
Banking, SBA & Lender Relations
- Serve as the primary liaison with banks, SBA lenders, and financing partners.
- Prepare lender reporting packages.
- Manage loan covenants and compliance.
- Assist ownership in obtaining financing for inventory, acquisitions, equipment, and working capital.
Process Improvement & Leadership
- Build scalable accounting policies and internal controls.
- Improve reporting accuracy and operational efficiency.
- Lead and mentor accounting staff.
- Partner with ownership on budgeting, forecasting, acquisitions, and strategic planning.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability and reduce operating costs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field (CPA or MBA preferred).
- 7+ years of progressive finance or accounting leadership experience.
- Experience negotiating commercial debt settlements, vendor disputes, or creditor negotiations.
- Legal, paralegal, contract administration, commercial collections, or corporate legal support experience strongly preferred.
- Ability to review commercial contracts and determine financial obligations.
- Strong understanding of contract documentation, purchase orders, invoices, and commercial agreements.
- Experience working alongside attorneys during contract reviews or settlement negotiations.
- Experience with inventory-based businesses such as distribution, manufacturing, or wholesale.
- Hands-on experience with Cin7 Core or similar ERP systems.
- Strong understanding of inventory accounting, COGS, supply chain finance, and financial controls.
- Experience managing banking relationships, SBA loans, and lender reporting.
- Excellent negotiation, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professional judgment.
Preferred Experience
- CPA, CMA, MBA, or Paralegal Certificate.
- Experience in automotive, heavy-duty truck, equipment, manufacturing, or industrial distribution industries.
- Experience with mergers, acquisitions, business turnarounds, or post-acquisition financial integration.
- Familiarity with UCC filings, commercial collections, lien releases, settlement agreements, and creditor negotiations.
This role requires a professional who can combine strong financial leadership with disciplined contract review and negotiation skills to ensure the company pays only valid obligations, resolves legacy liabilities efficiently, and supports long-term financial stability and growth.
Pay: $76,227.91 - $91,801.36 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
