Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Southwind Foods, a U.S. owned and operated company supplying our grocery, distributor, and food service customers the finest fresh and frozen responsibly harvested seafood from around the world, is seeking an experienced Controller to join our team.

Job Description: The Controller is responsible for the overall leadership of the accounting function and for the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of the Company's financial reporting. This role requires a proactive and detail-oriented leader who can manage day-to-day accounting activities while continuously improving processes and automation. The Controller oversees monthly close, multi-entity consolidations, treasury operations, banking relationships, commercial insurance administration, costing activities, and financial controls, and partners closely with the CFO, Credit Manager, Director of FP&A, and business leaders across the organization to support growth, improve efficiency, and strengthen financial controls. The Controller works closely with the Credit Manager to improve working capital performance and support efficient cash conversion. While collections, deductions, credit administration, and customer account management reside within the Credit organization, the Controller plays a critical role in ensuring proper accounting treatment, timely cash application, accurate receivable reporting, and efficient month-end close execution. This position is ideal for someone who understands the big picture but is equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves and getting into the details when needed.

Responsibilities:

• Financial Reporting & Accounting Operations:
  • Lead and manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
  • Prepare and review consolidated financial statements for multiple operating entities.
  • Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with GAAP.
  • Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts.
  • Oversee account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and close workpapers.
  • Coordinate annual audits and support tax reporting requirements.
  • Strengthen internal controls and accounting policies across the organization.
  • Drive accountability throughout the organization to improve financial accuracy and close timelines.
• Treasury, Banking & Cash Management:
  • Manage daily cash position and liquidity requirements.
  • Maintain relationships with financial institutions and banking partners.
  • Prepare, review, and approve wire transfers in compliance with company controls and authorization requirements.
  • Oversee treasury activities, bank account administration, and banking compliance.
  • Support cash forecasting and working capital planning.
  • Monitor cash balances and recommend actions to optimize liquidity.
• Working Capital & Receivables Partnership:
  • Partner closely with the Credit Manager to improve working capital performance and cash flow.
  • Ensure timely and accurate accounting of accounts receivable activities, deductions, reserves, bad debt provisions, and cash application.
  • Monitor key receivable metrics including DSO, aging trends, deduction exposure, unapplied cash, and credit risk.
  • Support month-end close readiness through timely reconciliation of AR accounts and resolution of accounting-related discrepancies.
  • Develop financial reporting, KPIs, and dashboards that provide visibility into working capital performance.
  • Partner with Sales, Customer Service, Operations, and Finance teams to improve the order-to-cash process.
  • Support automation and process improvements across receivables, cash application, deductions management, and reporting.
• Manufacturing Accounting & Cost Control:
  • Oversee inventory and cost accounting processes.
  • Ensure accurate inventory valuation and costing methodologies.
  • Review inventory reserves, variances, and manufacturing accounting activities.
  • Promote financial discipline and a cost-conscious culture throughout the organization.
  • Partner with operations leaders to improve inventory controls and operational performance.
  • Support initiatives that drive margin improvement and profitability.
• Process Improvement & Automation:
  • Drive continuous improvement across accounting and finance processes.
  • Lead efforts to reduce manual activities and improve workflow efficiency.
  • Identify opportunities to automate reconciliations, reporting, consolidations, and transaction processing.
  • Partner with IT and business leaders to optimize D365 and related systems.
  • Champion practical use of AI and automation tools to increase productivity, reporting accuracy, and business insights.
  • Establish scalable processes that support future growth while maintaining a lean organizational structure.
• Commercial Insurance & Risk Management:
  • Serve as the primary finance contact for commercial insurance programs.
  • Coordinate annual insurance renewals with brokers, carriers, and advisors.
  • Manage insurance claims administration and related financial reporting.
  • Support risk management initiatives through accurate reporting and documentation.
  • Maintain schedules and records supporting insurance coverage and claims activity.
• Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership:
  • Build strong partnerships with the Credit Manager, Director of FP&A, IT leadership, and operational teams.
  • Promote collaboration, accountability, and transparency across departments.
  • Support organizational initiatives that improve business performance and financial visibility.
  • Lead and develop accounting staff while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Serve as a trusted resource for management on accounting, financial controls, treasury, and operational finance matters.

Leadership Competencies:

The following competencies are drawn from the Korn Ferry Leadership Architect, the framework Southwind Foods uses to define and assess leadership capability. They describe how this role succeeds and are used to guide interview assessment, performance conversations, and development planning.

• Financial Acumen :  Interprets and applies understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions, and integrates quantitative and qualitative information to draw accurate conclusions.
  • What strong looks like at Southwind:  Owns the numbers and can explain what they mean, not just what they are. Translates close results, costing variances, and liquidity data into decisions leadership can act on.
• Business Insight :  Applies knowledge of the business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals. Knows how the business makes money and uses business drivers to guide action.
  • What strong looks like at Southwind:  Operates as a business partner, not just an accountant. Understands seafood margin dynamics, inventory intensity, and customer terms well enough to influence operating decisions.
• Optimizes Work Processes :  Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get work done, with a focus on continuous improvement, and seeks improvement from small tweaks to full reengineering.
  • What strong looks like at Southwind:  Shortens the close, removes manual touchpoints, and automates reconciliation and reporting inside D365 rather than adding headcount to absorb the workload.
• Ensures Accountability :  Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments, and establishes clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results.
  • What strong looks like at Southwind:  Sets close calendars and control expectations that hold across departments, and follows up when deadlines or documentation standards slip, including outside Finance.
• Collaborates :  Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives, representing own interests while being fair to others and their areas.
  • What strong looks like at Southwind:  Makes the Credit, FP&A, IT, Sales, and Operations relationships work. Improves order-to-cash by influencing partners who do not report to this role.
• Develops Talent :  Develops people to meet both their career goals and the organization's goals through coaching, feedback, exposure, and stretch assignments.
  • What strong looks like at Southwind:  Builds an accounting team that can absorb growth. Delegates real work, coaches through it, and creates bench strength rather than becoming a single point of failure.
• Instills Trust :  Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity, and shows consistency between words and actions.
  • What strong looks like at Southwind:  Carries wire authority, control ownership, and audit responsibility in a family-owned business. Reports the number that is true, including when it is unwelcome.

What Success Looks Like:

Within the first twelve months, the successful candidate will:

• Deliver accurate and timely monthly financial reporting.
• Improve the speed and effectiveness of the month-end close process.
• Strengthen accounting controls and financial discipline across the organization.
• Partner effectively with the Credit Manager to improve cash flow and working capital performance.
• Increase visibility into receivables, deductions, cash flow, and operational performance through meaningful reporting.
• Reduce manual work through automation and process improvements.
• Improve utilization of D365 and other technology tools.
• Build strong relationships across accounting, operations, sales, customer service, procurement, and IT.
• Balance strategic awareness with hands-on execution.
• Take ownership of problems, drive solutions, and help the organization succeed.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years in an accounting leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience managing monthly close and financial reporting.
• Experience preparing multi-entity consolidations.
• Strong treasury, banking, and cash management experience.
• Experience managing commercial insurance programs and handling claims.
• Manufacturing, food manufacturing, distribution, or inventory-intensive business experience.
• Strong working knowledge of internal controls and accounting process design.
• Experience leading accounting automation and process improvement initiatives desired.
• Experience in a privately held or family-owned business desired.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems. MS Dynamics 365 desirable.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled finance tools and modern accounting technology desired.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• CPA designation is a plus.
• Proficient in MS Suite and ERP-type software.

Note:  We crafted this job description to provide you with an insight into the dynamic role of our Controller position. While it captures the essence of the responsibilities and qualifications, it's designed to offer a glimpse rather than an exhaustive list. We believe in fostering an environment of adaptability and growth, where every team member contributes to the success of our organization. As our business evolves to meet the ever-changing market demands, we recognize the importance of flexibility and innovation, which may lead to the evolution of this role over time in alignment with our business objectives and the empowerment of our team members. Within our company, we cherish creativity, initiative, and collaboration, fostering an environment where employees are encouraged to share their unique perspectives and ideas, thereby contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.

Pay Range: $150,000 to $180,000 per year