Controller

A growing, privately held manufacturing company is seeking an experienced Controller to lead its accounting and financial reporting functions. This is a hands-on leadership role with three direct reports and significant interaction with operations and senior leadership.

The ideal candidate brings a strong manufacturing accounting background, particularly in cost accounting, inventory, standard costing, and operational financial analysis. This position is well suited for someone who enjoys leading a team while staying actively involved in the financial and operational side of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day accounting and financial reporting functions for the organization.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of three direct reports.
• Oversee monthly and year-end close, including account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial statement preparation.
• Maintain and enhance the company's cost accounting processes, including standard costs, inventory valuation, overhead allocation, and cost-of-goods-sold analysis.
• Analyze material, labor, overhead, purchase price, and manufacturing variances and partner with operations to understand business drivers.
• Provide financial analysis and reporting related to plant performance, margins, profitability, inventory, and operating expenses.
• Oversee inventory accounting, including cycle counts, physical inventories, reserves, and reconciliation processes.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow planning activities.
• Develop and maintain effective internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures.
• Coordinate year-end audit activities and serve as a primary contact for external accounting partners.
• Partner with operations and leadership on process improvements, cost reduction opportunities, capital investments, and profitability initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, systems, processes, and the overall efficiency of the accounting function.
• Provide senior leadership with meaningful financial insight to support business decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• Progressive accounting experience with prior experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Strong hands-on cost accounting experience required.
• Previous experience leading or supervising accounting professionals.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, manufacturing variances, inventory accounting, and gross-margin analysis.
• Solid knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting.
• Experience with ERP and manufacturing accounting systems.
• Advanced Excel and financial analysis skills.
• Ability to communicate financial information effectively to both finance and non-finance leaders.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and process-improvement mindset.