Director of Finance - Canada

About Messer

Messer is the largest privately held industrial gas business in the world, and a leading industrial and medical gas company in North and South America.We offer over 125 years of expertise in industrial, medical, specialty and electronic gases. Messer delivers quality gases, related services and technology via an extensive production and distribution network. Health and safety, sustainability practices and environmental protection are core Messer values that are embedded in our daily operations.

Why Messer?

• Certified as Great Place to Work®
• Paid time off: Excellent paid vacation available in first year including personal days.
• Pay and benefits: Competitive pay rate with comprehensive benefits and competitive pension plan.
• Career growth: Opportunities for career advancement through training and development opportunities with tuition reimbursement program.
• Referral program: Employees can refer talent and earn!
• Employee perks and discounts: Access to exclusive discounts on several products and services across Canada.

Purpose:

Reporting to the US CFO and working closely with the Canadian Executive Leadership team, and in close collaboration with the US Finance team, the Director of Finance – Canada is responsible for providing strategic financial leadership and oversight across all finance functions. The successful candidate will drive financial performance, support business growth initiatives, and ensure the integrity of financial reporting, compliance, and operational controls.

This role requires a seasoned finance executive with deep expertise in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting, treasury, taxation, accounts receivable, payroll, risk management, and business strategy. They will serve as a trusted advisor to the VP GM – Canada and leadership team, helping guide the organization toward sustainable profitability and long-term success.

What you’ll do:

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Lead the development, execution, and monitoring of short- and long-term financial strategies aligned with corporate objectives.
• Partner with the VP GM and leadership team to drive business performance, profitability, and operational efficiency.
• Provide strategic financial guidance and recommendations to support key business decisions, investments, partnerships, and growth initiatives.
• Identify risks and opportunities, providing actionable insights to optimize financial and operational performance.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Direct all budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and business modeling activities across the Canadian operations.
• Develop and maintain robust financial models to support strategic planning and decision-making.
• Analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual business results, key performance indicators (KPIs), trends, and operational metrics.
• Deliver detailed financial analysis and reporting to senior leadership, highlighting performance drivers and recommended actions.
• Conduct ad hoc financial analyses related to pricing, profitability, market expansion, inventory management, capital allocation, and other strategic initiatives.

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Oversee all accounting functions, including general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, collections, payroll, tax compliance, and financial reporting.
• Ensure accurate and timely month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Maintain strong internal controls, financial governance, and accounting policies in accordance with applicable standards and regulations.
• Monitor cash flow, working capital, and overall financial health of the organization.

Compliance, Risk Management & Governance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable financial, tax, regulatory, and statutory requirements.
• Lead relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, financial institutions, and regulatory authorities.
• Develop and maintain risk management frameworks to safeguard company assets and minimize financial exposure.
• Ensure adherence to corporate policies, financial controls, and governance standards.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Establish performance objectives and provide ongoing coaching and development opportunities for finance personnel.
• Drive process improvements and operational efficiencies across finance and accounting functions.

Data Analytics & Business Intelligence

• Partner closely with Analytics and Operations teams to improve the quality, accuracy, and accessibility of financial data.
• Enhance reporting capabilities and performance dashboards to provide greater visibility into revenue, costs, profitability, and key business drivers.
• Leverage data-driven insights to support strategic planning and business decision-making.

What it takes:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.
• Professional accounting designation (CPA, CA, CMA, CGA, or equivalent) strongly preferred.

Experience

• 10–15 years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience in a senior finance leadership role such as CFO, VP Finance, Finance Director, or Head of Finance.
• Strong expertise in FP&A, accounting, financial reporting, taxation, budgeting, forecasting, and business performance management.
• Demonstrated success partnering with executive leadership teams to drive business growth and profitability.
• Experience managing external auditors, banking relationships, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to influence and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance strategic priorities and operational execution.
• Results-oriented with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and mitigating risks.
• Advanced financial modeling, reporting, and analytical skills.

At Messer, our vision for culture and engagement is to create an environment where all of us accept, respect and value the differences of multiple identities and truly welcome the diverse ideas and perspectives of individuals. In doing so, we shape an open and creative company culture, providing every individual with an equal opportunity to thrive.

Join us and you will be part of a company that values and supports your career. We offer competitive pay and benefits, with set schedules, steady workand opportunities for ongoing training and career progression.

Together we value innovation, efficiency, and flexibility. Putting safety first, working with integrity and respect, we encourage everyone to find solutions for success. That means for our customers and for our colleagues. This makes us a great place to build a career where your skills are valued and developed.