Manufacturing Controller

Manufacturing Controller / Director of Finance

Vaughan, Ontario | $110,000–$140,000 + Bonus + Benefits

Ready to Take Ownership of a Manufacturing Company's Finance Function?

Are you a strong manufacturing accountant who enjoys understanding how a business really works?

Perhaps you're an Accounting Manager or Assistant Controller in a larger organization, confident in your technical abilities but finding that opportunities to advance are limited.

Or perhaps you're already a Controller who enjoys being hands-on, solving problems and making a meaningful contribution to the business.

This could be an excellent next step.

Our client is an established Canadian manufacturer of commercial office furniture and customized workplace solutions. The company is looking for a talented finance professional to take ownership of its accounting function while helping build the systems, processes and financial reporting capabilities needed to support future growth.

This is an opportunity to become the organization's senior internal finance professional, working directly with senior management and manufacturing operations.

The immediate priority is strong financial accounting, manufacturing costing and cash management. Over time, there is an opportunity to develop broader financial analysis and leadership responsibilities.

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

This isn't a position where you'll simply prepare reports and hand them to someone else.

You'll have the opportunity to understand the business, influence how financial information is captured and used, and help improve the way the company operates.

You'll work closely with manufacturing and operations, identifying opportunities to improve inventory accuracy, product costing, internal controls and financial reporting.

You'll also have the opportunity to introduce better processes, automation and technology that make the accounting function more efficient.

The organization intends to maintain a lean accounting team, supported by external specialists where appropriate. The goal is to free up time for more valuable financial analysis and business improvement.

For the right individual, this offers genuine professional growth and the potential to develop into a broader financial leadership position.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Take ownership of monthly and annual financial reporting, including financial statements, general ledger, reconciliations and month-end close.
• Ensure accurate accounting records, reliable financial controls and compliance with applicable accounting standards.
• Oversee day-to-day accounting activities, including accounts payable, accounts receivable and banking.
• Coordinate year-end financial reviews and work with external accounting and tax advisers.

Manufacturing Costing & Inventory

• Oversee manufacturing cost accounting, including inventory valuation, work in process, bills of materials, labour, overhead and cost of goods sold.
• Work closely with manufacturing personnel to investigate costing variances, inventory discrepancies and opportunities for improvement.
• Improve the accuracy and reliability of financial information flowing through the company's manufacturing systems.
• Help management better understand product costs, margins and operational performance.

Cash Management & Financial Controls

• Maintain close oversight of banking, cash balances and cash flow requirements.
• Monitor working capital, supplier payments and customer receivables.
• Establish practical controls and procedures that support accurate, efficient financial operations.

Systems, Automation & Business Improvement

• Identify inefficiencies in accounting processes and develop practical solutions.
• Work with operations and external specialists to improve ERP/MRP functionality, data accuracy and reporting.
• Explore opportunities to automate repetitive accounting activities and improve financial processes.
• Develop more meaningful financial reporting and analysis as the business and position evolve.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who has developed strong accounting fundamentals and understands how financial information connects to manufacturing operations.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Approximately 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with meaningful experience in manufacturing.
• Experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager or comparable senior accounting professional.
• Strong technical accounting skills, including independent responsibility for month-end close and financial statements.
• Practical manufacturing cost accounting experience, including inventory, bills of materials, WIP and production costing.
• Experience with manufacturing ERP/MRP systems and strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• An understanding of banking, cash management and internal financial controls.
• Experience supervising or coordinating accounting personnel while remaining comfortable performing detailed accounting work.
• A CPA designation is strongly preferred, although exceptional candidates with relevant experience will be considered.

Experience in furniture manufacturing is not necessary. We welcome candidates from a variety of manufacturing environments, including fabricated products, cabinetry, millwork, industrial equipment, building products and other businesses that manufacture or assemble finished goods.

Beyond the Technical Skills

We're particularly interested in individuals who demonstrate initiative, curiosity and sound judgment. Someone who doesn't simply identify an inventory discrepancy but wants to understand why it happened. Someone who enjoys talking with manufacturing employees, understanding production processes and finding better ways of doing things. Someone who recognizes how automation, technology and AI can improve accounting efficiency and create opportunities to focus on more valuable work.

Most importantly, someone who enjoys taking ownership and making things better.

You don't need to be an expert in advanced financial planning and analysis today. You do need the accounting foundation, intelligence and interest to develop those capabilities over time.

Compensation & Opportunity

• Base Salary: $110,000–$140,000 CAD, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Additional Compensation: Annual performance bonus.
• Benefits: Health and dental benefits.
• Location: Vaughan, Ontario.
• Career Opportunity: Potential to develop into broader financial leadership responsibilities as the business grows.

Interested?

If you're an experienced manufacturing accountant looking for greater ownership, or an accomplished Accounting Manager ready to take the next step, we'd welcome a conversation.

We're particularly interested in hearing about situations where you've improved accounting processes, resolved manufacturing costing problems or helped management make better decisions.