Controller

About the Role

The Controller leads the organization’s financial operations with a strong focus on accuracy, transparency, and operational partnership. This position ensures financial integrity, drives data-informed decision-making, and builds scalable processes that support sustainable growth. The role operates as both a strategic partner and hands-on leader, aligning financial performance with company goals.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Deliver clear, reliable financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow).
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable regulatory standards.
• Review journal entries, reconciliations, and accruals with a high standard of accuracy and accountability.
• Lead standard costing, variance analysis, and cost roll-ups across operations.
• Monitor and analyze labor efficiency, material usage, scrap, and overhead absorption.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation, controls, and cycle count processes.
• Partner with plant and operations leaders to improve profitability, cost discipline, and performance visibility.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve internal control frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, tax laws, and audit standards.
• Lead internal and external audit processes with a focus on zero material weaknesses.
• Promote a culture of accountability, integrity, and financial discipline.
• Actively manage and optimize cash flow, AR/AP, inventory, and fixed assets.
• Drive working capital improvements (DSO, DPO, inventory turns).
• Ensure liquidity supports both daily operations and long-term growth initiatives.
• Lead, coach, and develop the accounting team (AP, AR, GL, payroll).
• Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability.
• Build a scalable team structure aligned with company growth.
• Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Own and optimize ERP systems (Spectrum and future platforms).
• Drive automation, process standardization, and data integrity.
• Improve visibility into financial and operational performance across plants, products, and customers.
• Support system implementations and integrations to enable scale and efficiency.

Key Success Metrics

• Close cycle efficiency (3–6 business days).
• Accuracy and reliability of financial reporting.
• EBITDA performance vs. plan.
• Working capital improvements (DSO, DPO, inventory turns).
• Audit outcomes (no material weaknesses).
• Forecast accuracy and quality of insights.
• ERP and process efficiency gains.

Attributes

• Safety First: Promotes a financially disciplined and risk-aware culture, ensuring strong internal controls, compliance, and decision-making that protect the organization’s long-term stability and integrity.
• Human-Centered: Leads with respect and empathy, developing team members, supporting cross-functional partners, and fostering trust through approachable and collaborative leadership.
• Transparent: Clearly communicates financial performance, risks, and opportunities to leadership and stakeholders, enabling informed decisions and organizational alignment.
• Innovative: Drives continuous improvement through automation, system enhancements, and streamlined processes to increase efficiency, accuracy, and data visibility.
• Resilient: Maintains composure and effectiveness under tight deadlines, audits, and changing business conditions, ensuring continuity and reliability of financial operations.
• Reliable: Delivers accurate, timely financial reporting and consistently upholds strong controls, compliance, and accountability across all financial processes.
• Grit & Ownership: Takes full ownership of financial outcomes, proactively solves problems, drives improvements, and follows through on commitments to achieve business results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (preferred), Finance, or related field.
• CPA strongly preferred; MBA a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience.
• 5+ years in a Controller or Assistant Controller role.
• Manufacturing experience required.
• Private equity–backed environment strongly preferred.
• Experience with multi-entity or multi-site operations.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and revenue recognition.
• Deep experience in cost accounting, standard costing, and inventory controls.
• Proven ability to produce accurate financial statements and maintain internal controls.
• Strong FP&A capability (budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis).
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams (5–15+ employees).
• Strong cross-functional leadership with operations, supply chain, and executive teams.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations and cost drivers.
• Ability to translate financial results into actionable business insights.
• Experience with public accounting and financial reporting; prior audit experience strongly preferred.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

FLSA executive and professional positions paid on a salary basis, where project requirements and tight client deadlines may require workweeks over forty (40) hours (including weekends or holidays).

• Location: This role is based in an office setting, with frequent visits to the production floor required to oversee operations, ensure compliance, and maintain safety standards.
• Mobility: Ability to move around the manufacturing plant, including walking, standing, and climbing stairs.
• Manual Dexterity: Occasional use of hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Lifting: Ability to lift and carry items up to twenty-five (25) pounds, following OSHA standards.
• Visual and Auditory Requirements: Must be able to see and hear well enough to navigate the plant safely and communicate effectively with team members.