Sr. Controller

Financial Partner for Manufacturing and Distribution

Are you ready to serve as the trusted financial partner to divisional leadership and drive profitability, cost efficiency, and operational excellence in a manufacturing and distribution business?

About the Role

This hands-on role supports a manufacturing and distribution business. You will be the primary financial advisor for the Division President and plant/operations leadership, focusing on financial performance, margins, costs, customers, and operational results. The role is crucial for delivering strategic financial counsel while remaining deeply engaged in manufacturing, cost, inventory, transportation, and distribution finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as primary financial business partner and trusted advisor to the Division President and plant/operations leadership on financials, customer profitability, margins, costs, and performance.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and variance analysis.
• Prepare and present financial statements, KPIs, and division-level P&L analysis; clearly explain variances to operations and leadership.
• Own budgeting, forecasting, and rolling financial planning in partnership with the Division President and plant leadership.
• Oversee cost accounting: standard costs, inventory valuation, scrap, WIP, and overhead allocation.
• Drive manufacturing, transportation, and distribution cost improvements and margin enhancement initiatives.
• Manage intercompany transactions, maintain internal controls, and support external audits.
• Support capital expenditure planning, ROI analysis, and project accounting.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Proven experience already in a Divisional Controller (or equivalent) role in manufacturing.
• Strong manufacturing finance experience with hands-on standard costing, inventory, and process manufacturing.
• Understanding of operational manufacturing, transportation, and distribution finance.
• Ability to act as strategic financial advisor to senior leadership while remaining hands-on.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel; financial reporting tools (Power BI, Cognos, etc.) preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and business-partnering skills with a results-oriented mindset and high integrity.

At Talent Wave Associates, we connect outstanding talent with exceptional opportunities. We're proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to fostering an inclusive, people-first recruiting experience.