Manufacturing Controller

Description

Location: Bogart, Georgia (on-site)

Craftsmanship is built on discipline, and discipline depends on knowing what things truly cost. ULM Automotive was established to become one of North America's premier manufacturers of luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van conversions, backed by the long-term vision of the ULM Family Office.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Manufacturing Controller builds the financial foundation beneath that ambition: the cost systems, inventory discipline, budgeting, and reporting a growing luxury vehicle manufacturer needs to scale profitably. This is a role that builds a finance function, not one that maintains it. Rather than inheriting legacy systems and entrenched habits, the successful candidate will define how the company measures cost, values inventory, prices its work, and understands its own performance.

ULM Automotive designs, engineers, and manufactures premium Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van conversions for customers who expect exceptional quality, sophisticated design, and an outstanding ownership experience. Rather than operating as a traditional custom upfitter, the company is developing standardized engineering, disciplined manufacturing, and repeatable quality processes that deliver consistently while still meeting individual customer requirements. The company is headquartered in Bogart, Georgia, within the ULM Family Office.

The Manufacturing Controller is responsible for the company's accounting and financial management: cost accounting, inventory valuation, month-end close, budgeting and forecasting, capital analysis, transactional finance, and internal controls. Working closely with the General Manager, the Director of Operations, and the Director of Engineering, this individual ensures that every decision made on the floor, in the design studio, and with suppliers is grounded in accurate, timely, and honest numbers.

Luxury vehicles are crafted rather than simply manufactured, and that craftsmanship carries a cost that must be understood build by build. In a high-mix, low-volume environment, cost visibility is what separates a profitable vehicle from an expensive one. The Manufacturing Controller establishes what each vehicle truly costs in material, labor, and overhead, and gives leadership the clarity to protect both margin and quality.

This is a hands‑on role in a growing company: the successful candidate will be on the production floor as often as in the accounting system, and will be comfortable building processes that do not yet exist.

Build and own the cost accounting system, including standard costs, labor and overhead rates, and bills of material developed in partnership with Engineering. Establish job and build‑level costing so the true cost of each vehicle and each customer configuration is known and understood. Analyze variances in material, labor, and overhead, identify their root causes with Operations, and translate the findings into actions that protect margin without compromising craftsmanship.

Establish inventory accuracy and valuation from the ground up, spanning raw material, work in process, and finished vehicles. Implement cycle counting, physical inventory procedures, receiving and issuing discipline, and reserves for excess and obsolete material. Partner with Purchasing and Operations so inventory supports uninterrupted production while working capital stays under control.

Own the monthly and annual close, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and accruals, and deliver results on a predictable timetable. Produce financial statements and management reporting that give the General Manager and ownership a clear view of profitability, cost performance, and cash. Ensure compliance with US GAAP and with Family Office reporting requirements.

Lead the annual operating plan, the capital budget, and the rolling forecast. Model the financial impact of operational and product decisions, including capacity expansion, equipment purchases, hiring plans, facility investment, and new platform launches. Prepare capital requests with clear analysis of return, payback, and risk, and follow them through to verify that the expected benefit was actually realized.

Give Engineering and commercial leadership the cost intelligence behind pricing, quoting, and option decisions. Develop estimating tools that translate a customer configuration into a reliable projected cost and margin, compare estimate to actual once the vehicle is complete, and feed those lessons back so future quotes get sharper.

Establish the internal control environment of a company being built to last, including segregation of duties, approval authorities, purchasing and payment controls, and asset…