Finance Controller

CEL Critical Power - Powering the AI Revolution:

CEL has an opportunity for you to join our rapidly growing business, where you will have an opportunity to make a significant impact on the long-term success of our global business strategy. CEL are an Irish based 40-year manufacturer, distributor and exporter of electrical switchgear and controls, and related products and services, now focused on the supplying the global Data Centre industry. We operate across multiple geographic locations and offering excellent career progression for ambitious professionals.

Role Overview

This is a senior finance leadership role within a high-growth, project-driven manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will lead the US finance function while partnering closely with operations, production, supply chain, engineering, project management and executive leadership.

The role requires a strong combination of:

• Financial control and compliance
• Manufacturing and project accounting
• Working capital and cash flow management
• Commercial finance and operational partnering
• Systems/process improvement
• Leadership in a fast-scaling environment

The individual will play a key role in building a scalable finance infrastructure capable of supporting substantial US growth in the data center sector.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Control & Reporting

• Lead all US finance operations including month-end close, reporting, controls and compliance
• Deliver accurate and timely monthly management accounts
• Ensure robust balance sheet reconciliations and financial governance
• Manage US statutory, sales tax and regulatory compliance requirements
• Support annual audit processes and external advisor relationships
• Maintain strong internal controls in a rapidly scaling environment

Manufacturing & Project Accounting

• Oversee project accounting for large-scale engineered-to-order manufacturing contracts
• Monitor revenue recognition under percentage-of-completion methodologies
• Manage WIP, accrued revenue, deferred revenue and project margin reporting
• Partner with operations to improve labor utilisation, productivity and project costing accuracy
• Drive visibility around material usage, scrap recovery, manufacturing variances and cost controls
• Support inventory accuracy, valuation and operational finance reporting

Working Capital & Cash Management

• Lead US cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning
• Manage debtor collections, milestone billing and customer cash conversion
• Monitor DSO, inventory turns and supplier payment performance
• Support banking relationships and financing initiatives including working capital facilities and asset-based lending structures

Commercial Finance & Business Partnering

• Partner with project managers and operational leaders on profitability, risk and execution
• Support bid reviews, commercial assessments and contract governance
• Provide financial insight into pricing, margins and operational performance
• Help drive operational accountability through KPI reporting and business analytics

Systems & Process Improvement

• Improve finance processes, controls and reporting automation
• Support continued rollout and optimisation of SAP Business ByDesign and Power BI reporting
• Develop scalable reporting structures suitable for a growing multi-site US operation
• Assist in developing integrated labor, production and project performance reporting

Leadership

• Build and develop the US finance team over time
• Act as a key member of the US leadership team
• Foster a high-accountability, hands-on and solutions-focused culture
• Work closely with Group Finance and leadership teams across Ireland and the US

Requirements

Required Experience

• 7-15+ years finance experience with progression into senior finance leadership
• Experience in manufacturing, engineered products, construction, industrial projects or related sectors
• Strong understanding of project accounting and operational finance
• Experience managing working capital in project-based environments
• Strong financial control and reporting background
• Experience operating in a scaling or fast-growth business environment
• ERP experience essential (SAP Business ByDesign experience advantageous)

Preferred Experience

• Data center, electrical, modular construction or industrial manufacturing exposure
• Multi-entity or international group experience
• Experience with percentage-of-completion accounting
• Exposure to US sales tax compliance and multi-state operations
• Experience supporting operational KPI and Power BI reporting environments

Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded and operationally engaged
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence across functions
• Hands-on and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Able to balance strategic thinking with executional detail
• High accountability and ownership mindset

Qualifications

• CPA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline

Key Success Measures

• Accurate and timely month-end close
• Improved cash conversion and working capital performance
• Enhanced visibility and control over project profitability
• Strong financial governance and audit readiness
• Improved operational finance reporting and KPI accuracy
• Scalable finance processes capable of supporting rapid US growth

Benefits

What CEL Offers

• Opportunity to join a rapidly scaling business in one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors
• Exposure to major hyperscale and AI infrastructure projects
• High-impact leadership role with significant autonomy
• Strong growth and career development opportunity
• Collaborative international leadership environment

What’s Offered:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities
• Dynamic and innovative work environment

Why Join CEL Critical Power?

• Join a Trusted Industry Leader - 42 Years of Excellence

  CEL has been delivering high-quality, bespoke power distribution solutions for over four decades, with products that stand the test of time.

• Be Part of a Global Expansion

  With CEL launching its first US manufacturing plant, you will have the opportunity to work on international projects and documentation standards while collaborating with colleagues across North America.

• Collaborate with World-Class Engineers, Vendors & Industry Experts

  You’ll work alongside leading engineers, project managers, document controllers, product managers, and global vendors, ensuring excellence and operational success across CEL’s international teams.

• Shape the Future of CEL - Critical Power

  This is more than just an operator role-it’s an opportunity to help forge the future of CEL and our expansion across the US.

• Competitive Salary, Benefits & Career Growth

  We offer structured career development, professional training, and leadership opportunities, ensuring long-term career progression.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CEL Critical Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and high-performing workplace. We strongly believe that seeking out and hiring the most diverse talent and creating an inclusive workplace is the way to create an exceptional and innovative environment for our employees, which will deliver excellence in service to our customers. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experience to join this multicultural, hard-working team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.