Controller

Controller Position at Deli Star

Deli Star is a next-generation food manufacturing company reimagining what's possible in protein innovation. Specializing in fresh, sous-vide cooked proteins and patented food safety technologies, we serve some of the most trusted brands and culinary teams across the U.S.

We're not your typical manufacturer, we're a mission-driven startup powered by entrepreneurial energy, scientific rigor, and a relentless drive to create a more nutritious, efficient, and sustainable food system. With a team of 150 employees, we are small enough to be nimble and innovative, yet established enough to make a lasting impact.

Deli Star is proud of our rapid growth, strong customer partnerships, and long-term vision to build a vertically integrated, tech-forward manufacturing platform.

The Controller at Deli Star is more than a financial gatekeeper, this role is a strategic partner to executive leadership, driving transformation across our financial systems, operational visibility, and long-term planning. You will lead all aspects of accounting, compliance, and internal controls while actively shaping how financial insights guide business decisions at the plant and executive levels.

This role serves as a vital link between finance and operations, helping us scale with discipline, profitability, and agility. Ideal candidates bring a founder's mindset, operational fluency, and the ability to distill complexity into action.

This is a full-time, exempt position, reporting into our CFO at our St. Louis, MO Office.

Key Responsibilities

• Accounting Policies & Compliance
• Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies and internal controls aligned with GAAP
• Ensure compliance with tax, audit, and statutory reporting requirements
• Own preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Internal Controls & Risk Management
• Enforce financial controls across departments and sites
• Identify financial risks and implement mitigation plans in partnership with CFO and operations
• Audit & Financial Reporting
• Lead all audit preparation (external, internal, board)
• Manage monthly close processes, account reconciliations, and fixed asset tracking
• Deliver executive-ready reports and dashboards on a consistent basis
• Operational Finance & Plant Profitability
• Partner closely with Operations to analyze yields, downtime, waste, and cost drivers
• Strengthen the feedback loop between financial performance and operational execution
• Support cost accounting, inventory reconciliation, and daily line-level KPI visibility
• Technology & AI Integration
• Leverage AI tools and ERP data to automate reporting and enhance scenario planning
• Support system integration for financial and operational dashboards across functions

Required skills and qualifications

Core Competencies

• Financially and operationally savvy – You understand how finance integrates with operations and can analyze plant-level profitability, efficiency, and yield performance.
• Strategic thinker – You translate financial data into actionable business insights and support long-term planning.
• Agile & innovative – You embrace change, leverage technology to streamline processes, and seek continuous improvement.
• Strong communicator – You can present complex financial concepts to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset – You're comfortable navigating ambiguity and bringing structure to scaling operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 5–10 years of progressive finance experience, preferably in manufacturing, food & beverage, or CPG
• Strong GAAP knowledge, audit experience, and internal controls expertise
• Experience with cloud-based accounting and ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, Workday, or similar). Specific experience with QuickBooks and ADP is a strong plus
• Proficiency with AI-driven financial tools, dashboards, or automation platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or certification (MBA, CPA, or CFA)
• Experience with M&A, capital planning, or investment finance
• Background in high-growth or startup environments
• Prior experience supporting cross-functional operations, especially in plant or supply chain settings

What You'll Love (Benefits & Perks)

• Comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.) that begin on day one of hire.
• Voluntary benefits including additional life, disability, short term disability, etc.
• 401k & company provided match
• Unlimited PTO
• Opportunity to work remotely one day per week
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Company led Leadership & Development Programs
• 10 Company Paid Holidays
• Bonus Incentive Programs (Note, bonuses are subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.)

Disclaimer: The above statements are not intended to be a complete statement of job content, rather to act as a guide to the essential functions performed by the employee assigned to this classification. Management retains the discretion to add or change the duties of the position at any time.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status. EEO/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.