Controller, Finance & Banking, Financial Reporting

** Controller*
* ** Cleveland, OH**   **,000
** We are looking for a Controller who thinks like a business partner, operates with a builder's   mindset, and is energized by the complexity of a growing specialty manufacturer. You will   work closely with a strong, experienced CFO and a sharp, fast-moving leadership team. For   the right person, this role offers a genuine and meaningful growth trajectory within the   finance function.

** Controller Responsibilities*
* * Develop and maintain a rigorous cost accounting framework appropriate for a specialty materials manufacturer — standard costing, variance analysis, margin by product/customer/channel
* Partner with operations to build visibility into true cost of production, materials utilization, and manufacturing efficiency
* Translate cost data into insights leadership can act on FP&A & Financial Reporting
* Own the monthly close process and deliver timely, accurate financial reporting to the CFO and senior leadership
* Build out forecasting and budgeting capabilities that support faster, better decisions as the business scales
* Develop KPI dashboards and financial models that connect operational drivers to financial outcomes
* Ensure a strong internal controls environment appropriate for a privately held company preparing to grow
* Partner with the CFO on cash flow management, working capital optimization, and banking relationships
* Support external audit, tax compliance, and any regulatory requirements relevant to the business
* Work within and help develop a small, structured finance team (4–6 people)
* Leverage existing ERP capabilities (SAP/Oracle) and identify opportunities to use systems more effectively as the business scales      
** Controller Requirements*
* * A track record in manufacturing finance — you understand how product gets made and how that translates to cost, margin, and cash
* Strong technical accounting skills with the judgment to know when precision matters and when speed does
* Experience building or significantly improving cost accounting and/or FP&A capabilities
* Comfort operating in a fast-paced environment
* A communicator who can translate financial complexity into clear, actionable language for operators and executives
* CPA preferred; bachelor's degree in accounting or finance required; advanced degree a plus but not required
* Experience in specialty materials, chemicals, engineered products, or adjacent manufacturing strongly preferred