Job Summary The Manufacturing Controller owns GSM's accounting close, financial reporting, cost accounting and internal controls, and is the primary day-to-day partner to our external auditors.
This is a hands-on, build-and-run role. GSM is building a disciplined, audit-ready, data-driven close. The Manufacturing Controller makes that real: tight balance sheet integrity, accurate revenue and contract asset/liability accounting on firm fixed price contracts, and reliable product cost data that program and operations leaders trust.
Duties and responsibilitiesMonth-end close and financial reporting
- Own the monthly close calendar, task assignments and deadlines; drive toward a predictable close within 10 business days.
- Prepare monthly financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow).
- Ensure every balance sheet account is reconciled monthly with documented support and timely review.
- Write variance commentary on actual vs. budget and prior period in partnership with FP&A.
- Support lender compliance reporting, including covenant calculations.
Revenue recognition and contract accounting
- Own ASC 606 revenue recognition on FFP contracts, including over-time recognition and cost-to-cost measures of progress.
- Reconcile contract assets and contract liabilities (CA/CL) every month, tying billings, milestone payments and recognized revenue by contract.
- Partner with program controls on EAC reviews and record loss provisions and margin changes accurately and on time.
Cost accounting and inventory
- Own product and job costing in the M1 ERP: labor, material and overhead absorption.
- Set, monitor and true-up overhead rates; analyze under/over-absorption.
- Ensure accurate raw material, WIP and finished goods valuation, including Raw-to-WIP transaction integrity and cycle count reconciliation.
- Lead physical inventory and inventory reserve analysis.
External audit and tax coordination
- Serve as day-to-day lead for the annual financial statement audit.
- Own the PBC list, audit schedules, contract narratives and timely responses to auditor requests.
Internal controls and policy
- Design, document and operate key financial controls (revenue, procure-to-pay, payroll, inventory, close, journal entries).
- Maintain the accounting policy manual and enforce segregation of duties.
- Support compliance with DFARS contract requirements and government property and business-system expectations as applicable.
Systems and data
- Act as finance owner of M1 accounting configuration, chart of accounts and master data quality.
- Partner with the data team on Palantir Foundry finance tooling so close, margin and EAC data flows reliably from source.
- Automate reconciliations and recurring entries; reduce manual spreadsheet work.
Team leadership
- Lead, coach and develop the accounting team; set clear roles, standards and review practices.
- Build team depth in M1 and Foundry through a structured training plan.
- Recommend staffing and structure changes as the business grows.
- Work to reduce and eliminate barriers and obstacles to improve overall cost and scheduling performance.
- Your leadership is expected to make it easier for employees to make quality products and make it easier for customers to do business with GSM.
- Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for creating a professional, safe, and clean environment evidenced by: being at work on time to perform assigned duties, following the policies of Granite State Manufacturing, always wearing safety glasses in designated areas, maintaining a neat and orderly work area, and following safety practices to prevent errors.
- Demonstrates commitment to teamwork by establishing effective relationships and networks with both managers/directors and workers, and collaborating with them to accomplish shared purposes and goals.
- Abides by GSM Code of Ethics and Business Conduct standards and strictly observes all U.S. and foreign laws and regulations.
RequirementsRequired
- Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance.
- 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years leading a close and a team.
- Strong U.S. GAAP knowledge, especially ASC 606 over-time revenue recognition and long-term contract accounting.
- Hands-on manufacturing cost accounting: job costing, overhead absorption and inventory valuation.
- Experience leading external audits as the company's primary point of contact.
- Advanced Excel; comfort working directly in ERP data.
- U.S. person status, as required for ITAR / export-controlled work.
- Strong leadership and integration skills: builds and leads a high-performing team and integrates finance with operations, program management and supply chain.
- Due to the nature and importance of GSM's work, our positions require access to export-controlled information. Therefore, all candidates must qualify as a U.S. Person under applicable export-control/ITAR regulations, or otherwise be authorized to access such information under U.S. law.
Preferred
- Aerospace & defense or government contracting experience, ideally FFP programs for the Navy or a prime shipbuilder.
- Exposure to BI tools (Power BI or similar) and close automation tools.
- AI curious: actively experiments with AI tools to speed up reconciliations, analysis and reporting, and is eager to build AI into how the team works.
- Experience with a PE sponsor: has worked inside a sponsor-backed company and understands monthly sponsor reporting, lender covenants and value-creation priorities.
- Digital transformation and automation mindset: has led or materially contributed to modernizing a finance function, such as an ERP upgrade, close automation or a reporting overhaul, and instinctively looks for manual work to automate.
- Palantir Foundry: hands-on use of Foundry for finance data, pipelines or dashboards.
Benefits- Dental & Vision, Life insurance (Company paid)
- Disability benefits (Company paid)
- 401(k) & 401(k) company matching
- Paid time off and holidays
- Flexible spending accounts
- Overtime opportunities (if applicable)
- Training and career growth in advanced manufacturing
- Employee assistance program
