Position: Controller
Location: Woodstock, ON
Vacancy: This positing is for an existing vacancy
Overall Responsibility:The Controller leads all plant finance and accounting activities, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and timely decision support to Operations. This role owns the month-end close and forecasting process, drives cost/working-capital performance, and partners with plant leadership to improve profitability, operational efficiency, and compliance with corporate policies and accounting standards.
Accountabilities:Plant Finance Leadership & Business Partnering
- Serve as the primary finance partner to the Director of Operations and plant leadership team; translate operational performance into financial results and actions.
- Prepare daily/weekly metrics, month-end close, forecast updates, and annual plan.
- Provide clear analysis of key drivers (labor, scrap, efficiency, overtime, materials, freight, overhead absorption) and recommend corrective actions.
- Drive a culture of accountability through standard reporting, KPIs, and disciplined follow-up.
Financial Reporting, Close, and Controls
- Own month-end and year-end close processes, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, inventory valuation, and reporting packages.
- Ensure compliance with IFRS and corporate accounting policies; maintain strong documentation and audit readiness.
- Establish, document and strengthen internal controls across all key processes and financial areas.
- Coordinate internal/external audit requests and ensure timely remediation of findings.
Costing, Inventory, and Operational Finance
- Own standard costing governance: BOM/routing integrity, labor and overhead rates, periodic cost rolls, and part profitability models.
- Lead variance analysis (PPV, usage, labor efficiency, overhead, scrap) and partner with Operations/Materials/Engineering to address root causes.
- Improve working capital performance through stronger processes for inventory, receivables, payables, and claims/chargebacks.
Budgeting, Forecasting, and Long-Range Planning
- Lead annual business plan, quarterly and monthly forecasts, and longer-range planning (e.g., 3-5 year outlook) aligned with plant strategy.
- Build and maintain models for volume/mix sensitivity, margin bridge analysis, and productivity initiatives.
- Track performance to plan and communicate risks/opportunities with recommended actions.
Treasury, Cash, and Capital
- Manage plant-level cash planning and working capital
- Partner on capital planning: business cases, payback/ROI analysis, approval packages, and post-audit reviews.
- Ensure fixed asset accounting accuracy (additions, disposals, depreciation, CIP) and adherence to capitalization policies.
People Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop the plant finance team; set clear expectations, prioritize workload, and build capability in cost/controls/analysis.
- Drive performance management, training plans, and succession planning; support hiring decisions as needed.
Compliance & Other Responsibilities
- Support plant compliance requirements relevant to the role (IATF 16949, ISO 14001, and plant EHS standards).
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:- Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA (or equivalent) strongly preferred.
- Experience: 5-10+ years progressive experience in manufacturing finance/accounting; automotive preferred. Proven ownership of close, costing, and plant performance reporting.
- Technical: Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, variance analysis, and internal controls. Advanced Excel (PowerQuery/Power Pivot a plus). ERP/MRP experience required (AS400/CMS400 or similar).
- Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead a team, influence cross-functional leaders, and drive process improvement in a fast-paced plant environment.
Compensation Package:- Salary range: $120,000 - $130,000 annually
- Variable Bonus potential
- We provide a competitive extended benefits package that supports employee well-being and enhances the overall employee experience.
