Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Controller

Job Description

The Controller directs all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and cost accounting, within a manufacturing environment. This role establishes structure, implements scalable systems, and develops a disciplined financial and cost accounting framework that supports operational performance, profitability, and sustainable growth. The Controller serves as a key financial partner to operations and leadership, ensuring accurate reporting, robust controls, and insightful analysis that drive informed decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Direct all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and cost accounting for the organization.
• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring discipline, accuracy, consistency, and timeliness across all reporting cycles.
• Develop and lead structured budgeting and forecasting processes that support both operational and strategic decision-making.
• Produce accurate financial statements, including Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements, in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Develop, refine, and maintain management reporting, key performance indicators (KPIs), and financial dashboards that provide actionable insight into operational and financial performance.
• Deliver clear variance analysis and performance reporting to leadership, highlighting key trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Maintain audit-ready financial records and supporting documentation to support internal and external audit requirements.
• Design and implement a standardized product costing framework from the ground up, tailored to a manufacturing environment.
• Establish robust methodologies for material, labor, and overhead allocation to ensure accurate product cost measurement.
• Partner closely with operations to develop and validate bills of materials (BOMs), labor standards, and cost drivers.
• Create reliable product-level margin visibility to support pricing, profitability, and portfolio decisions.
• Implement structured variance analysis across production and cost inputs, identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.
• Oversee inventory valuation for raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods in alignment with U.S. GAAP and company policies.
• Identify key cost drivers and collaborate with operations to improve margins, efficiency, and cost control.
• Evaluate, redesign, and implement ERP and financial systems to effectively support manufacturing operations and financial reporting.
• Establish and maintain integration between purchasing, inventory, and accounting processes to improve data accuracy and process efficiency.
• Build scalable financial processes and infrastructure that enhance data integrity and support operational performance and growth.
• Strengthen internal controls, optimize working capital, and enhance the scalability of financial processes across the organization.
• Improve automation across finance functions to increase efficiency, reduce manual work, and enhance reporting capabilities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting personnel, fostering a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative team culture.
• Partner cross-functionally with operations and executive leadership to provide financial insight, support strategic initiatives, and drive structured execution.
• Communicate financial results, trends, and recommendations clearly and effectively to operational and executive stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• Strong expertise in U.S. GAAP and full-cycle financial reporting, including preparation of P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements.
• Deep experience in manufacturing cost accounting, including standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation.
• Demonstrated experience building or significantly improving product costing systems and processes in a manufacturing environment.
• Advanced Excel proficiency, including building structured financial models, cost roll-ups, and variance analysis tools in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience evaluating or implementing ERP systems in a manufacturing environment, with a strong preference for candidates who have led or significantly contributed to such initiatives.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate data into actionable insight for operations and leadership.
• Highest level of professional integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and ownership in handling financial information and decisions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including operations and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop accounting personnel in a leadership or senior accounting role.
• Proven experience partnering cross-functionally with operations and executive leadership to drive financial and operational performance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to clearly present financial results and analysis.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and drive structured execution in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance (or equivalent) required.
• Minimum of 8 years of accounting experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in a controller or senior accounting leadership role.
• Strong manufacturing and cost accounting experience required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• CPA designation strongly preferred.
• Experience leading or supporting ERP implementation or optimization projects in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience designing or enhancing financial dashboards and KPI reporting for operational and executive audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build scalable financial processes and infrastructure to support growth.
• Experience improving automation across finance functions to increase efficiency and data quality.
• Track record of strengthening internal controls and optimizing working capital in a manufacturing environment.

Work Environment

This position is based in an office environment at a manufacturing facility, with regular presence required on the manufacturing floor to support operational partnership and inventory oversight. The role involves close collaboration with operations, supply chain, and leadership teams in a hands-on, production-oriented setting. Periodic extended hours may be required during month-end close, year-end reporting, budgeting cycles, and audit periods to meet critical deadlines. Occasional exposure to manufacturing areas may involve proximity to moving mechanical equipment, and the role requires adherence to all safety protocols and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when on the production floor. Noise levels in manufacturing areas may range from moderate to high, and the Controller must be comfortable working in both office and plant environments.

This is a Permanent position based out of Allendale, NJ.

The pay range for this position is $180000.00 - $190000.00/yr.

Salary Expectations: 180-190K, Base. Bonus program is merit PTO: 8-9 holidays, 12 days vacation, 5 days sick Benefits: after 90 day, medical dental vision, 401k: 3.5%

This is a fully onsite position in Allendale,NJ.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 2026.

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.