VP​/Controller

VP/Controller | Food Manufacturing | Fresno, California

CXO Source has been retained on a confidential basis to recruit a VP/Controller for a growing food manufacturer in the Fresno area, California. The role will be responsible for all accounting and finance and will report to the CEO. This small but growing company is seeking a trusted financial leader who can strengthen the accounting foundation, improve reporting reliability, and support the business through its next stage of growth.

This is a hands-on, accounting-first role for a leader who is comfortable working in the details while guiding a small team. The successful candidate will bring strong controllership and manufacturing cost-accounting expertise, with enough financial planning, forecasting, and commercial judgment to grow into a broader finance leadership role as the business scales.

Responsibilities

• Own the full accounting cycle, including general ledger, monthly close, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll oversight, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation, establishing accurate and consistent reporting that management and the board can trust.
• Strengthen customer billing and the end-to-end accounts receivable process to improve accuracy, collections, and visibility.
• Develop and maintain effective internal controls, accounting policies, and disciplined close and reporting processes in accordance with GAAP.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and practical financial modeling to support management decisions and business planning.
• Maintain tight control of cash flow and liquidity through active management of payables, receivables, and working capital; communicate directly with customers and vendors and negotiate payment terms when needed.
• Oversee manufacturing cost accounting, inventory, margins, and operational performance analysis; develop useful KPIs and translate findings into clear actions for the leadership team.
• Complete the final stages of the Sage ERP implementation and optimize finance and accounting processes within the system.
• Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, and other third-party partners.
• Prepare clear financial and operational reporting for senior management and the board.
• Lead, mentor, and develop an accounting team of approximately four while remaining willing to step into day-to-day work as required.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required; CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• Seven to ten years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including meaningful leadership responsibility in manufacturing.
• Strong controllership fundamentals, including GAAP, close, financial reporting, controls, audit, AP, AR, and cash management.
• Demonstrated manufacturing cost-accounting experience. Food manufacturing experience is helpful but not required.
• Experience in a smaller, hands-on business environment. Candidates with large-company training should also have proven success in smaller organizations.
• Experience improving or rebuilding accounting processes in a turnaround, high-growth, or operationally complex environment strongly preferred.
• ERP implementation or optimization experience required.
• Strong analytical, forecasting, communication, and vendor-negotiation skills, with exceptional attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Practical, accountable, and collaborative leadership style, with the confidence to challenge inconsistent information and the willingness to work in the details.

This is an on-site role. The manufacturing facility operates across multiple shifts, and the position offers reasonable flexibility in daily start and end times around core business hours.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.