Divisional Controller

Location: Must sit in Kearney, NE

Must Have: Discrete Manufacturing industry experience

We are seeking an experienced Division Accounting Manager – Financial Reporting to support a large, multi-site manufacturing division with $600M+ in annual revenue and operations across the United States and Mexico.

This is a highly visible finance leadership position responsible for financial reporting, close, compliance, internal controls, forecasting, balance sheet management, and continuous process improvement. The ideal candidate will bring a strong accounting foundation within a complex, multi-site manufacturing environment and be comfortable operating as both a strategic leader and hands‑on accounting professional.

• Lead the monthly financial close process, including completion and review of journal entries and account reconciliations in accordance with U.S. GAAP
• Manage a fast‑paced four‑day monthly close
• Ensure timely and accurate divisional financial reporting, variance analysis, and management reporting
• Maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls in accordance with SOX requirements
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and strong financial controls across the organization
• Manage external, internal, SOX, and applicable state tax audits
• Serve as a key financial compliance leader for the division
• Ensure accounting and costing systems comply with corporate standards and guidelines

Planning, Forecasting & Decision Support

• Coordinate the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and rolling forecast processes
• Provide financial analysis and decision support to divisional leadership
• Manage accounting for rebates and sales discount programs
• Oversee cash accounts and related controls
• Optimize balance sheet performance across accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory
• Analyze financial performance, identify key business drivers, and communicate findings to leadership

Systems, Data & Process Excellence

• Serve as a key finance user and subject matter expert for ERP, consolidation, budgeting, forecasting, and business intelligence/reporting systems
• Support corporate financial consolidation, budgeting, and forecasting processes
• Champion process standardization, automation, data integrity, and reporting improvements
• Lead finance system enhancements, implementations, and user training
• Support ongoing initiatives to transition and standardize financial systems and processes across the organization
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high‑performing accounting team
• Establish clear goals, expectations, and performance metrics
• Partner cross‑functionally with operations, finance, supply chain, and divisional leadership
• Facilitate financial reviews and clearly communicate financial results, risks, opportunities, and business drivers
• Promote a culture of accountability, ethics, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

Direct Reports

This position will directly oversee:

• Accounts Payable team supporting two domestic locations
• Finance/Accounting Intern

The broader finance organization consists of approximately 25 team members supporting financial reporting, operations finance, international finance, and accounts receivable/customer financial services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field with a strong accounting emphasis required
• Master's degree preferred
• CPA strongly preferred
• Progressive accounting and financial leadership experience within a discrete manufacturing environment
• Experience supporting a large, complex, multi‑site operation strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SOX compliance, internal controls, financial reporting, and audit requirements
• Demonstrated experience leading monthly close, forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis
• Experience with ERP and financial consolidation/reporting systems; SAP experience is highly desirable
• Strong understanding of manufacturing accounting, inventory, cost accounting, and balance sheet management
• Experience leading and developing accounting professionals
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, highly accountable environment
• Strong analytical, communication, and cross‑functional leadership skills

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is a strong accounting leader who has developed their career within discrete manufacturing and understands the financial complexity of a large production environment. They should be comfortable owning the technical accounting and reporting function while also partnering closely with operational leadership.

This individual should bring the discipline required to manage a four‑day close, SOX controls, audits, forecasting, and a complex balance sheet while also identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes, and financial visibility across multiple facilities.