Controller: Goreway

About the Company

Our client is a food manufacturing company. They are looking for a Controller who will be responsible for supporting a multi‑site manufacturing operation consisting of 3 plants and 2 distribution centres. The position is highly operational and serves as the key finance business partner to plant leadership. The role is split approximately:

• Month‑end close and financial reporting
• EBITDA bridge analysis
• Margin analysis and reporting
• Variance analysis
• Financial statement review and presentations

• Partnering closely with Plant Managers and Operations leaders
• Providing operational finance support and insights
• Translating financial results into actionable business recommendations
• Presenting results and analysis to senior leadership, including the CEO and CFO
• Acting as the 'right hand' to the Plant Manager on financial and operational matters

• Solid internal growth opportunities (Plant Controller Director of Finance FP&A; / broader leadership roles)
• Significant exposure to executive leadership including CEO, CFO, and VP Finance
• Highly visible role with direct impact on plant performance and profitability
• Opportunity to support multiple sites and gain broader operational exposure
• Growing organization with continued expansion across plants and distribution operations
• Strong partnership with operations leadership and plant management

• Provide leadership to the accounting team (5 FTE) and oversee day‑to‑day effectiveness of staff by managing for highest performance. This includes goal setting, coaching, mentoring and developing, training and managing individual performance.
• Partnering with Operations and Supply Chain ensure consistency and accuracy in all operational reporting and analysis. Attend operational meetings for discussion of areas to improve, generate potential solutions and course of action. Reporting includes, but is not limited to:
  • Yield and labour efficiency
  • Impact of SKU Mix from a yield, labour and expense perspective
  • Labour and operational expenses
  • Inventory on hand balances and trending DIO
  • AFE review and tracking against approved project plan
  • Cost savings initiatives – development of new ideas and performance against each one
• Engage in regular meetings with senior executives. Present financial results to senior executives (CFO, VP Finance Operations) with clear, concise analysis of year‑over‑year performance to drive informed decisions and actionable outcomes. Participate in bimonthly operational review meetings with the CEO, CFO, and COO to support the Plant Manager in preparing and communicating operational results and key business drivers.
• Drive process improvement to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the accounting team, including focusing team on value‑add activities.
• Manages month‑end close process and completes financial reporting package with in‑depth variance analysis applying business acumen on all aspects. Ensure a high level of accuracy, completeness and all deadlines are met.
• Support the enforcement of closing timelines, helping business partners become more efficient in the close process. This includes timelines associated with daily, weekly and monthly reporting activities.
• Effectively manage and strengthen partnerships with grocery customers within our distribution business, while ensuring the company maintains a strong working capital position.
• Manage cash flow by reporting on cash movements, and monitoring working capital levels.
• Establish and monitor internal controls and regulatory compliance. Ensure all balance sheet and variance account reconciliations are completed on a monthly basis with reconciling items cleared in a timely manner. Perform analytical review of all account reconciliations.
• Key contact for Treasury, intercompany divisions, and external audits. Coordinate efforts, preparing and reviewing required information as requested, meeting all deadlines. Liaise with other Controllers to establish the company’s approach in incorporating best business practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business…