CONTROLLER MANUFACTURING FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Job Description

Job Description

CONTROLLER MANUFACTURING FINANCE & OPERATIONS Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Controller to lead and oversee the accounting and financial operations of our growing food manufacturing business. This role is responsible for financial reporting, manufacturing accounting, inventory controls, budgeting, compliance, internal controls, and operational financial leadership.

The Controller will partner closely with Ownership, Operations, Supply Chain, Warehouse, and external accounting partners to support business growth, improve financial visibility, strengthen controls, and develop scalable financial processes.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with a practical operational mindset and proven experience within manufacturing or food production environments.

Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Reporting:

• Oversee all day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, month-end close, reconciliations, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and financial planning activities.
• Deliver operational and financial analysis to support leadership decision-making.

Manufacturing Cost Accounting Inventory Controls Transformation:

• Assess current inventory, purchasing, production, and accounting processes for GAAP
  compliance.
• Design and implement a GAAP-compliant manufacturing cost accounting framework.
• Develop and maintain standard costing methodologies, BOM structures, labor allocations, and
  overhead absorption processes.
• Ensure accurate reporting of inventory transactions, cycle counts, write-offs, reserves, and physical inventory results.
• Establish procedures for inventory capitalization, inventory reserves, and proper matching of
  costs to production.
• Analyze and correct inventory valuation discrepancies and historical accounting issues.
• Build monthly inventory reconciliation and manufacturing variance reporting processes.
• Partner with operations to improve inventory accuracy, cycle count effectiveness, and financial
  visibility into production activities.
• Lead efforts to improve gross margin reporting and product profitability analysis.

Audit Readiness & Technical Accounting

• Establish accounting policies and procedures consistent with U.S. GAAP.
• Create and maintain supporting schedules, reconciliations, and documentation necessary for
  annual audits and lender reviews.
• Ensure balance sheet accounts are fully reconciled and documented monthly.
• Lead preparation for external audits, quality of earnings reviews, and financial due diligence
  processes.
• Evaluate and remediate internal control weaknesses.

ERP & Process Optimization:

• Oversee ERP financial integrity, reporting structures, and accounting workflows.
• Drive process improvement initiatives, automation opportunities, and scalable financial operations.
• Collaborate with operational teams to improve reporting accuracy and financial efficiency.

Team Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting personnel.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and operational partnership across departments.
• Support a culture of continuous improvement and financial discipline.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA preferred but not required.
• 710+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience within manufacturing, food manufacturing, or CPG environments.
• Strong experience with:
  • Financial reporting
  • Manufacturing accounting
  • Cost accounting
  • Inventory accounting
  • Internal controls
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Audit management
• Strong ERP experience required; NetSuite, SAP, or similar systems preferred.
• Advanced Excel and financial analysis skills.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication abilities.
• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on within a growing business environment.

Preferred Traits:

• Hands-on operational leadership style.
• Strong business acumen and ownership mentality.
• Process-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Comfortable navigating fast-paced and evolving environments.
• Collaborative and solutions-driven.