Controller, Finance & Banking, Corporate Finance

Overview

A newly independent, private equity–backed manufacturing business is building a stand-alone controllership function after operating within a shared-services environment. This is a rare opportunity to step into a true build-and-own role inside a profitable organization with strong market presence and meaningful scale.

This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and serves as the senior accounting leader for a multi-site North American operation, including U.S. manufacturing and distribution locations and a Canadian subsidiary.

The business has recently transitioned out of a large corporate structure and is entering a phase of reinvestment, operational focus, and disciplined growth. With that transition comes the need to design and operate an independent accounting function that can support scale, provide clarity, and withstand investor and lender scrutiny.

The Controller will operate with broad autonomy and significant influence, partnering closely with executive leadership, operations, and ownership. This is not a “maintain what exists” role — it is a chance to establish how accounting is done in the next chapter of the company’s lifecycle.

You’ll build, lead, and develop a high-impact accounting team while setting expectations for accuracy, accountability, and execution across the organization.

You’ll design and manage the close and reporting cadence, ensuring timely, reliable financials and scalable internal controls. This includes defining policies, segregation of duties, approval frameworks, and documentation standards.

You’ll work closely with operations to understand cost drivers, inventory valuation, and margin performance — translating data into insight and action.

You’ll oversee audit readiness, lender reporting, tax coordination, covenant compliance, and regulatory obligations across jurisdictions.

You’ll actively manage liquidity, cash forecasting, and working capital levers, partnering with leadership to improve cash conversion without disrupting customer or supplier relationships.

You’ll collaborate with IT and external partners to ensure ERP data integrity, improve reporting efficiency, and leverage technology to make financial information more actionable.

You’ll engage directly with Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, and Leadership — balancing rigor with pragmatism in a fast-moving environment.

• A hands-on Controller who has operated in mid-sized manufacturing or industrial environments
• Someone who has helped stand up or significantly reshape an accounting function
• A leader comfortable switching between strategic conversations and detailed execution
• A professional who understands how accounting decisions impact EBITDA, cash flow, and operational outcomes
• Someone energized by ambiguity, ownership, and visible impact

• 15+ years of progressive accounting experience, including senior leadership responsibility
• Demonstrated success leading teams and building scalable processes
• Strong command of U.S. GAAP; CPA strongly preferred
• Exposure to private equity ownership, carve-outs, or complex corporate transitions highly valued
• Manufacturing cost accounting and inventory experience required
• ERP depth (SAP strongly preferred) and advanced Excel skills
• Experience managing external auditors, tax advisors, and lenders

• You won’t inherit a rigid legacy structure — you’ll help define the operating model
• Accounting has real influence here, not just reporting responsibility
• Leadership wants a doer, not a delegator-only profile
• Decisions are made close to the business, not buried in layers
• The company is profitable today and investing for tomorrow
• There is clear expectation, accountability, and room to make changes that stick

• 4 days on site, 1 day work from home
• Periodic travel to operating locations (generally limited)
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. and reside within commuting distance