Controller

The Controller is responsible for overseeing all accounting operations at our factory and supporting consolidated financial reporting across our manufacturing footprint. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), this role serves as a strategic business partner to Plant Leadership, Operations, and executive management. The Controller owns the general ledger, financial close process, cost accounting, internal controls, and compliance while driving finance process improvement, digital transformation initiatives, and data-driven decision making across the organization. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with manufacturing and cost accounting experience, a continuous improvement mindset, and the ability to translate financial data into actionable business insights.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manages direct reports including work assignment, performance review, discipline, coaching and work instruction.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting & Close

• Manages the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with US GAAP
• Oversees balance sheet reconciliations, account analysis, and variance reportin

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Owns standard costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis (labor, material, overhead) for the manufacturing operation
• Partners with Operations to analyze plant performance, production costs, and margin trends
• Supports annual standard cost setting and periodic cost roll-ups
• Acts as a trusted financial advisor to Plant Leadership, and Operations teams by providing analysis and recommendations that improve productivity, inventory management, margin performance, and operational efficiency.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Designs, implements, and maintains a strong internal control environment
• Ensures compliance with corporate accounting policies, local statutory requirements, and tax regulations
• Coordinates with external auditors and manage the annual audit process
• Manages sales & use tax, property tax, and other regulatory filings as applicable

Team Leadership

• Manages, mentors, and develops the local accounting/finance team (AP, AR, GL)
• Fosters a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, technology adoption, and data-driven decision making
• Collaborates cross-functionally with global finance, operations, HR, manufacturing and market development teams
• Develops high-performing accounting and finance talent capable of leveraging technology to improve financial performance and business insights.

Systems, Digital Transformation & Process Improvement

• Champions automation, technology adoption, and process improvements to minimize manual effort and increase the speed, accuracy, and reliability of accounting processes.
• Establishes processes for validating financial results with greater frequency and reduced latency to support timely operational and financial reporting.
• Supports data governance initiatives through effective management of financial master data, chart of accounts structures, reporting hierarchies, and system controls.
• Partners with IT and business stakeholders to improve the extraction, integration, and flow of financial and operational data across systems.
• Leverages business intelligence, analytics, and visualization tools to improve reporting capabilities and support data-driven decision making.
• Support sthe evaluation and adoption of emerging finance technologies that enhance efficiency, insights, and organizational effectiveness.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• CPA required
• Manufacturing industry experience
• Corporate or public accounting experience
• Knowledge of tax regulations and compliance
• Demonstrated experience leading finance transformation, process improvement, change management, or automation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of data analytics, business intelligence, and data visualization tools

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience
• Solid knowledge of US GAAP and internal control frameworks
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel skills to improve efficiency, controls, and data quality
• Experience managing and developing a team
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills

Physical Requirements:

• This position is onsite at our corporate office in Hillside, Illinois
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.