Controller

Chesapeake Search Partners is partnering with a precision manufacturing organization to identify a Controller. This highly visible leadership role offers the opportunity to partner directly with executive leadership while overseeing all financial operations within a dynamic, entrepreneurial manufacturing environment. The organization has built a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and engineering excellence.

The Controller will serve as the organization's senior financial leader, responsible for financial reporting, cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, inventory management, internal controls, and strategic financial planning. This individual will provide meaningful business insights, improve financial visibility, and help position the company for continued growth while partnering closely with operations and ownership to drive profitability and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all accounting and finance operations, including financial reporting, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, cash management, and month-end and year-end close.
• Oversee manufacturing accounting, including cost accounting, inventory management, product costing, margin analysis, and financial performance reporting.
• Develop annual budgets, forecasts, financial models, and cash flow analyses while providing actionable insights to executive leadership.
• Strengthen internal controls, improve financial reporting capabilities, and drive process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and business performance.
• Serve as a strategic business partner to leadership by supporting capital investments, operational initiatives, and long-term growth strategies.
• Oversee payroll and selected human resources administration, including employee benefits, workers' compensation, and coordination with external advisors, auditors, banks, and regulatory agencies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required; CPA a plus.
• Eight or more years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including significant experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Prior experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Finance Manager, or similar financial leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and manufacturing cost accounting.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems, inventory accounting, financial analysis, and process improvement initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and business partnering skills with the ability to operate in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment. Experience within a highly technical manufacturing environment is preferred.