Yarn maker Unifi (UFI -1.42%) has a new bean counter.

The Greensboro, N.C.-based company announced today that James M. Otterberg has taken on the role of chief financial officer, effective immediately, assuming the position he's been serving in on an interim basis since Aug. 12. Otterberg had been the company's chief accounting officer since October 2011. He was also elected vice president of Unifi.

Noting that the search to fill the position included several candidates from outside the organization, Unifi Chairman and CEO William L. Jasper said:

We are very excited about James' appointment. We interviewed many highly qualified candidates, and James topped the list. In addition to his broad and deep accounting and financial expertise, James brings keen analytical and strategic planning skills to the management team.

Before his corporate roles, which were served at the yarn maker's subsidiary Unifi Manufacturing, Otterberg previously served as director of joint ventures and alliances, as well as corporate financial analyst, from October 1999 to December 2003. He also held various financial positions for Polymer Group from 2004 to 2011, including VP of U.S. finance, from February 2008 through May 2011.

Otterberg is a graduate of Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.