Controller

About the Opportunity

Our client is a well-established and growing manufacturing organization seeking a hands-on Controller to lead accounting and finance operations. This role will serve as a key business partner to operations, providing financial leadership, manufacturing insights, and decision support that drive profitability, efficiency, and growth.

The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in manufacturing finance, cost accounting, inventory management, and operational reporting, along with the leadership skills to develop processes, mentor staff, and support strategic business initiatives.

Position Summary

Reporting to senior leadership, the Controller is responsible for overseeing all accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and treasury activities. The Controller will work closely with plant and operational leadership to deliver meaningful financial analysis, improve performance, and support business decision-making.

This position requires a highly analytical finance leader who understands the realities of a manufacturing environment, including inventory, production costs, labour utilization, capital investment, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Reporting

• Lead all financial reporting activities, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements and management reports.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close processes.
• Coordinate annual audit activities and manage relationships with external auditors.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with accounting standards and corporate policies.

Manufacturing Finance & Cost Accounting

• Own standard costing, product costing, variance analysis, and margin reporting.
• Analyze material, labour, overhead, scrap, and production efficiencies.
• Monitor inventory valuation, inventory controls, and cycle count programs.
• Partner with operations to identify opportunities to improve productivity and reduce costs.
• Provide detailed analysis on manufacturing performance, plant utilization, and operational KPIs.
• Support pricing decisions through cost and profitability analysis.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process.
• Develop financial models and performance forecasts to support strategic planning.
• Analyze business performance against budget and forecast expectations.
• Provide recommendations and actionable insights to leadership.

Business Partnership

• Collaborate with operations, supply chain, procurement, and commercial teams.
• Support capital expenditure planning and investment analysis.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and lead finance-related initiatives.
• Translate financial information into meaningful business recommendations.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting and finance team.
• Establish clear objectives and accountability measures.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.

Qualifications

• CPA designation required.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Significant experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of:
• Cost accounting
• Standard costing
• Inventory accounting
• Variance analysis
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Financial reporting and internal controls
• Experience partnering directly with plant operations and manufacturing leadership.
• Advanced Excel and ERP system skills.
• Proven ability to influence decision-making through financial analysis and business insight.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Preferred Experience

• Multi-site manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting capital-intensive operations.
• ERP implementation or optimization experience.
• Continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, or process improvement exposure.
• Experience within building products, industrial manufacturing, automotive, metals, fabrication, or related sectors.

What Success Looks Like

• Accurate, timely financial reporting.
• Improved visibility into plant performance and profitability.
• Enhanced costing accuracy and inventory controls.
• Strong forecasting and decision-support capabilities.
• Effective partnership with operations and executive leadership.
• Development of a high-performing finance team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a manufacturing finance leader who enjoys being close to operations and driving business performance through insight, analysis, and strong financial leadership.

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This posting is for a current vacancy with a Robert Half client.