Head of Finance

The Busch Group is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of vacuum pumps, vacuum systems, blowers, compressors and gas abatement systems. Under its umbrella, the group houses two well known brands: Busch Vacuum Solutions and Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions. The gas abatement systems previously offered by centrotherm clean solutions – a former Busch Group brand – are now part of the Pfeiffer portfolio. The extensive product and service offer includes solutions for vacuum, overpressure and abatement applications in all industries, such as food, semiconductors, analytics, chemicals, plastics, and aerospace. This also includes the design and construction of tailor-made vacuum systems and a worldwide service network. The Busch Group is a family business that is managed by the Busch family. More than 8,000 employees in 44 countries worldwide work for the group. Busch is headquartered in Maulburg, BadenWürttemberg, in the tri-country region of Germany, France and Switzerland. The Busch Group manufactures in its 23 own production plants in China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Romania, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the USA and Vietnam. The Busch Group has an annual consolidated revenue of close to 2 billion Euro.

SUMMARY

The Head of Finance is responsible for leading and overseeing all financial operations at our Yreka, California manufacturing site. This role plays a key part in driving financial performance, ensuring compliance, and supporting strategic decision-making across the organization. The successful candidate will bring strong leadership, analytical rigor, and a deep understanding of manufacturing finance, cost control, and operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Exercise of judgment, discretion, and tact in all business matters and business relationships is required. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain clear and cooperative working relationships with co-workers and demonstrate regular attendance and punctuality are essential. The organization’s leadership promotes collaborative problem solving in both formal and informal work teams. Participation in and contribution to teamwork within the organization is required. Necessary interpersonal skills include being a self-starter, motivated, creative, flexible, self-confident, deadline oriented and able to multi-task. Employees must follow all quality and safety procedures of the company, including those at customer sites if applicable, and must abide by the corporate Code of Conduct in all situations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Strategy and Leadership:
• Develop and implement the company’s financial strategy to support business growth and operational objectives.
• Guide and support the Production Controller, ensuring effective execution of financial planning, reporting, and analysis.
• Provide strategic financial insights and recommendations to the senior leadership team.
2. Financial Reporting & Compliance:
• Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements, reports, and forecasts.
• Ensure compliance with local and international financial regulations, accounting standards, and tax laws.
• Coordinate and manage audits and ensure the company adheres to financial and regulatory reporting requirements, including corporate finance and accounting manual guidelines.
3. Budgeting & Forecasting:
• Lead the annual budgeting process and provide ongoing financial forecasts.
• Monitor performance against budget and identify areas for cost optimization and process improvement.
• Support decision-making by providing financial projections and performance analysis.
4. Cost Management and Analysis:
• Analyze manufacturing costs, including raw materials, labor, and overheads, to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve margins.
• Develop and implement cost control initiatives to optimize profitability without compromising product quality or operational efficiency.
• Work closely with production and operations teams to ensure alignment between financial targets and manufacturing processes.
5. Cash Flow and Risk Management:
• Oversee cash flow management, working capital optimization, and liquidity to ensure the company’s financial health.
• Manage financial risks, including currency fluctuations, and commodity prices, particularly in a manufacturing environment.
6. Team Leadership and Development:
• Manage, mentor, and develop the finance team, ensuring continuous professional development and alignment with company objectives.
• Establish and maintain a high-performing team that collaborates effectively with other departments.
7. Strategic Business Partnering:
• Work closely with the operations and production teams to ensure the alignment of financial and operational goals.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, automation, and optimization within the finance and manufacturing functions.
• Collaborate with the Site General Manager and the US Group CFO and other executives to support key business initiatives and corporate growth strategies.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Tasks require walking, sitting, bending, reaching, mobility, frequent lifting and pushing/pulling. Work requires computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet, and data-entry), attention to detail and accuracy. Communication skills including listening and speaking are required for interaction with other employees, vendors, and customers. Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to balance multiple tasks and any stress associated with the duties and responsibilities of this position are essential requirements in the performance of this job.

Secondary duties with added requirements may be assigned from time to time.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Company Values

Pfeiffer Vacuum Valves & Engineering (PV V&E) believes that we are all suppliers and customers of someone in our organization. Our employees must be able to demonstrate this customer-centric belief - which means that you are value-adding, reliable, performance-driven, innovative, service-minded, and agile – in all of their business activities. We expect that our company values of open mindedness, trust, communication, thinking strategically/being creative, being courageous, accountable, and humble, ethical sensitivity/compliance, resilience/facing diversity and fostering a culture of empowerment, engagement and collaboration will drive the actions of our employees.

General Qualifications:

1. Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
2. Accountability & Dependability - Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieves results with little oversight.
3. Analysis & Reasoning – Examines data to grasp issues, draw conclusions, and solve problems.
4. Analytical Skills – Examines data to grasp issues, draw conclusions, solve problems, and process into meaningful data.
5. Autonomy – Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
6. Business Acumen - Ability to grasp and understand business concepts and issues.
7. Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word. 
8. Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
9. Confidentiality – Integrity and discretion required due to the high level of confidential business-related information handled.
10. Consequence of error – Responsible for actions and decisions that may have a significant impact on the company.
11. Decision Making & Judgement – Makes timely, informed decisions that take into account the facts, goals, constraints, and risks.
12. Detail Oriented – Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
13. Diversity Oriented – Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
14. Ethics & Integrity – Earn others’ trust and respect through consistent honesty and professionalism in all interactions.
15. Financial Aptitude – Ability to understand and explain economic and accounting information and make sound long-term investment decisions.
16. Honesty & Integrity – Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
17. International Awareness – Demonstrated ability to communicate successfully with other cultures.
18. Listening – Understands and learns from what others say.
19. Problem Solving – Resolves difficult or complicated challenges.
20. Results Focus & Initiative – Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how best to achieve them to get the job done.
21. Safety Awareness – Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
22. Self-Management – Manages one’s own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals.
23. Time Management – Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
24. Working Under Pressure – Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.

Qualifications:

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field. MBA or relevant professional qualifications (e.g., CPA, CFA) preferred.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in finance or accounting, with at least 5 years in a senior financial leadership role, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, cost structures, and financial systems.
• Proven track record in financial management, forecasting, and business partnering.
• Skills:
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, and budgeting processes.
• Advanced proficiency in financial modeling, analysis, and ERP systems, preferably SAP
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to translate financial data into actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.

PAY RANGE: $160,000 - $170,000/year in addition to annual bonus potential

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position may work in various environments including office, factory, or home settings. This position is primarily based on site at the Yreka, California facility supporting the Company’s employees and the Busch Group USA team.

Pfeiffer Vacuum V&E is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, please contact Danielle Clair at 530-841-9150.

Applicants must be able to work in the United States without sponsorship.

We participate in E-Verify.

EEO/AA/M/F/Veteran/Disabled