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VP Finance, Strategic Planning, & Business Operations, US Region

Clarios · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you partnered with a president or general manager to turn around weak financial results.

What they are checking: Real business partnership that improves results, not just reporting on them.

Walk me through your role in a past acquisition, from due diligence to integration.

What they are checking: Hands-on M&A experience, which the posting lists as part of the job.

Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad financial news to senior leadership.

What they are checking: Courage and clarity in presenting unwelcome results with a plan to address them.

How do you develop the finance leaders who report to you?

What they are checking: Commitment to building talent and succession within a large regional finance team.

What would you do

Commodity costs like lead spike in the middle of the year. How does finance respond?

What they are checking: Ability to manage margin pressure through pricing, hedging and cost actions in a commodity-driven business.

What would you focus on in your first 100 days in the US region?

What they are checking: Whether they plan to learn the business and build trust before making big changes.

About the work

Walk me through how you have built a mid-to-long range plan for a business unit. How did you connect it to the annual operating plan?

What they are checking: Ability to link long-term strategy to near-term commitments, the core of this role.

How would you evaluate a large capital investment in a new US battery plant?

What they are checking: Capital allocation skill, including risk, returns and strategic fit for major manufacturing investments.

How do you lead commercial finance, FP&A, supply chain finance and controlling as one team?

What they are checking: Leadership across several finance functions and the ability to make them work together.

How do you make sure controls and fiduciary duties stay strong while the business moves fast?

What they are checking: Balance between growth support and financial discipline and compliance.

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The full job description

As published by Clarios.

What you will do- The VP Finance, Strategic Planning & Business Operations will be responsible for all strategic and tactical finance activities related to the regional business. The regional business segments have responsibility for commercial finance, FP&A, operations and supply chain finance, and central controlling. This role will also drive strategy development, mid-to-long range planning and regional strategic deployment. How you will do it - • Business Partnership and Business Support: Proactively partner with the President and functional team to develop and support strategic initiatives and improve actual financial results consistent with operating plan commitments and strategic objectives. Continually perform business evaluations to identify future opportunities for improvement and barriers to achieving strategic and financial objectives. Support pre and post-acquisition activities including due diligence and post-acquisition integration. Develop, maintain and utilize the appropriate financial tools and resources required to support all capital and strategic investments. Develop the appropriate measurements and methodology for communicating these results to senior management. • Financial Process and Fiduciary Responsibilities: Identify best business practices and facilitate the propagation of these practices throughout the business and participate in the sharing of financial best business practices across the organization. Provide strategic and tactical leadership to all financial areas including: accounting, internal controls, strategic planning; budget preparation, forecasting, compliance, reporting and tracking. Instill a sense of professionalism and excellence within the finance team and implement those processes, systems, procedures, and controls that ensure financial discipline; produce timely, reliable and accurate information; enable effective decision-making; to support the company’s growth. Develop and maintain a robust internal control system with the goal of being compliant in a SOX environment. Assure the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of the organization’s records and ensure that financial statements are presented on a timely basis as required by the Management. Ensure best practices are in place to protect the Company's assets and that they are implemented across business functional areas. Additional Duties: • Strategy Leadership for the Region • Management Operating System Ownership • People Development What we look for - • Master's degree in Finance, accounting or MBA major in finance is preferred • Minimum 15 years of rich experience in Finance and Accounting of which at least 5 years must be in a senior financial P&L role within a business unit of a large multinational corporation; overseas experience a plus. • A CPA certification is preferred • The ability to influence and lead in driving change in the organization. • Strategic consulting skills which move beyond adherence to specific analytical tools and methodologies; the ability to “think outside the box,” and generate alternative solutions for consideration, and provide comprehensive risk/benefit analysis on those alternatives. • Proactive business advisory skills; i.e., a creative planning orientation in addition to a tracking orientation. • M&A / due diligence experience. • Organizational and planning ability are required. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite Applications (Word, Excel, Access & PowerPoint) and SAP are required. What you get: • Medical, dental and vision care coverage and a 401(k) savings plan with company matching – all starting on date of hire • Tuition reimbursement, perks, and discounts • Parental and caregiver leave programs • All the usual benefits such as paid time off, flexible spending, short-and long-term disability, basic life insurance, business travel insurance, and Employee Assistance Program • Global market strength and worldwide market share leadership • HQ location earns LEED certification for sustainability plus a full-service cafeteria and workout facility • Clarios has been recognized as one of 2026's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. This prestigious recognition marks the fourth consecutive year Clarios has received this distinction. Who we are: Clarios is the force behind the world’s most recognizable car battery brands, powering vehicles from leading automakers like Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. With 18,000 employees worldwide, we develop, manufacture, and distribute energy storage solutions while recovering, recycling, and reusing up to 99% of battery materials—setting the standard for sustainability in our industry. At Clarios, we’re not just making batteries; we’re shaping the future of sustainable transportation. Join our mission to innovate, push boundaries, and make a real impact. Discover your potential at Clarios—where your power meets endless possibilities. Veterans/Military Spouses: We value the leadership, adaptability, and technical expertise developed through military service. At Clarios, those capabilities thrive in an environment built on grit, ingenuity, and passion—where you can grow your career while helping to power progress worldwide. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to protected characteristics. Equal Employment Opportunity: We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please apply. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to challenging the status quo. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran or other protected characteristics protected by law. As a federal contractor, we are committed to not discriminating against any applicant or employee based on these protected statuses. We will also take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process by emailing Special.Accommodations@Clarios.com . We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity in our teams in terms of work experience, area of expertise, and all characteristics protected by laws in the countries where we operate. For more information on our commitment to sustainability, diversity, and equal opportunity, please read our latest report . We want you to know your rights because EEO is the law. A Note to Job Applicants: please be aware of scams being perpetrated through the Internet and social media platforms. Clarios will never require a job applicant to pay money as part of the application or hiring process. To All Recruitment Agencies : Clarios does not accept unsolicited agency resumes/CVs. Please do not forward resumes/CVs to our careers email addresses, Clarios employees or any other company location. Clarios is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/CVs.

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