Mariel Avila
Ciudad Juárez
Summary
Strategic Finance Executive with 12+ years of progressive leadership experience supporting global manufacturing organizations. Proven track record partnering with executive leadership to optimize operational performance, profitability, and long-term business strategy across multi-site manufacturing operations. Expertise includes plant controllership, FP&A, standard costing, capital investment governance, manufacturing footprint optimization, make-versus-buy analysis, tariff assessments, Lean finance transformation, and SOX compliance. Currently lead the Finance Center of Excellence for Lean Initiatives across six manufacturing plants while serving as a trusted advisor to the VP of Finance and Division President.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Plant Controller
BRP
11.2021 - Current
- Strategic finance business partner to Plant Leadership, VP of Finance and Division President, influencing operational strategy and financial performance.
- Own financial planning for a $100M annual operating budget, including AOP, forecasts and long-range planning.
- Led financial governance and evaluation of $50M in annual capital investments, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Direct financial oversight of $250M in raw material inventory and $30M in finished goods inventory.
- Lead the Finance Center of Excellence for Lean Initiatives across six manufacturing plants, driving process standardization and best practices.
- Partnered with operations, engineering and supply chain to achieve 6% annual cost savings through targeted initiatives.
- Lead strategic business cases for manufacturing footprint optimization, make-versus-buy decisions and tariff impact analysis.
- Present executive financial reviews, scenario analysis and strategic recommendations directly to the VP of Finance and Division President.
- Lead and develop a team of three finance professionals.
- Ensured SOX compliance and strengthened internal controls while automating reporting processes to enhance efficiency.
Skills
- Strategic Finance Leadership
- Executive Business Partnering
- Manufacturing Finance
- Plant Controllership
- FP&A
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Standard Costing
- CAPEX
- Business Case Development
- Inventory & Working Capital
- Lean Finance
- Process Standardization
- Automation
- SOX
- Internal Controls
- Cost Optimization
- SAP
- Hyperion
Professional Highlights
- $100M annual operating budget ownership
- $50M annual CAPEX governance and business case evaluation
- $250M raw material inventory and $30M finished goods oversight
- Finance Center of Excellence leader for Lean Finance across 6 manufacturing plants
- 6% annual productivity / cost savings delivered through cross-functional initiatives
- Direct presentations to VP of Finance and Division President
- Led business cases for manufacturing footprint optimization, make-versus-buy and tariff analysis
- Lead and develop a team of 3 finance professionals
- Plant supports approximately 2,000 employees
Timeline
Plant Controller
BRP
11.2021 - Current