Controller

Finance • Manufacturing Cost Accounting • Process Improvement & Automation

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead and improve the financial operations of a multi-site manufacturing organization.

This role will initially focus on improving core finance processes, reducing manual and paper-based work, improving job-costing and financial data accuracy, and implementing automation within the ERP system.

As the financial processes and systems improve, the role will expand into leading the finance team, developing reporting and performance metrics, and using technology and automation to provide leadership with accurate, timely information for decision-making.

Phase 1: Improve Core Finance Processes

The initial focus will be to evaluate, simplify, and improve the company's financial processes, including:

• Job costing
• Accounts payable and accounts receivable
• Month-end close
• Cash management
• Management reporting
• Supplier and outside-processing invoices
• Financial data flow between manufacturing operations and accounting

Key objectives include:

• Identify and eliminate unnecessary steps, paperwork, and manual processes.
• Reduce reliance on spreadsheets and manual workarounds.
• Automate repetitive financial processes within the ERP system.
• Improve the accuracy and timeliness of job-costing information.
• Improve the flow of financial and production data from the shop floor into the accounting system.
• Improve the efficiency and accuracy of the month-end close.
• Improve AP/AR and supplier invoice processes.
• Provide leadership with timely, reliable financial information.
• Work closely with operations, HR, estimating, and leadership to improve financial visibility and decision-making.

Phase 2: Lead the Finance Function & Scale Automation

Once the core processes are improved, responsibilities will expand to include:

• Build and lead an effective finance team.
• Oversee and continuously improve financial processes and controls.
• Expand automation of financial workflows within the ERP system.
• Evaluate and implement AI tools and automation where they provide meaningful business value.
• Establish clear ownership, standard procedures, dashboards, and financial metrics.
• Provide accurate and timely financial reporting to company leadership.
• Work closely with operations to improve job-costing accuracy, pricing and estimating information, cash flow, financial forecasting, and operational and financial decision-making.
• Develop financial systems and processes that can support continued company growth and additional locations.

Qualifications & Experience

The ideal candidate will have:

• Significant experience in accounting and financial management, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing cost accounting and job costing.
• Experience with multi-site operations.
• Experience overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable, month-end close, cash management, and financial reporting.
• Experience improving financial processes and internal controls.
• Experience with ERP systems and using technology to improve accounting and finance processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work closely with operations, estimating, HR, and company leadership.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting and the ability to turn financial data into useful business information.
• Experience leading or managing a finance/accounting team is preferred.

What We're Looking For

This position is best suited for someone who:

• Looks for ways to simplify and improve financial processes.
• Is comfortable working in a manufacturing environment.
• Understands manufacturing job costing and the relationship between production activity and financial results.
• Can use an ERP system to improve processes rather than relying on spreadsheets and manual workarounds.
• Is interested in automation, AI, and technology as tools for improving finance operations.
• Can identify problems, develop practical solutions, and implement them.
• Can work effectively with both accounting personnel and manufacturing operations.
• Is comfortable taking ownership of the finance function and driving improvements.
• Wants to build a more efficient, scalable finance operation rather than simply maintain existing accounting processes.

Scope of the Role

This is a high-visibility Controller position with a clear progression from improving existing finance processes to leading the finance function and scaling its systems and automation.

The role will work closely with operations and leadership across multiple manufacturing facilities and will have a direct impact on financial reporting, job costing, cash flow, process efficiency, and business decision-making.

Work arrangement: Hybrid / Multi-site