Controller

Clarity Recruitment; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Clarity Recruitment, on behalf of a Canadian manufacturing client in Mississauga, seeks a hands-on Controller to backfill and lead the finance function. Reporting to the GM and CFO, you will ensure the integrity of financial data across reporting, accounting operations, internal controls, cash flow, budgeting, payroll, and inventory and cost accounting.

You will directly supervise the AR/AP Supervisor and Inventory Analyst and have scope to build processes and grow the team as the business

Qualifications

• Progressive accounting/finance experience with readiness to step into a Controller role.
• Hands-on cost and inventory accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Proven ability to own financial reporting, budgeting and cash flow end-to-end.
• Experience mentoring direct reports and building team capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day finance operations ensuring the accuracy, timeliness and integrity of all financial information.
• Own monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting, presenting results to the GM and CFO.
• Oversee full-cycle accounting operations, including AR/AP, general ledger and month-end close.
• Establish and strengthen internal controls across the finance function.
• Own cash flow reporting and forecasting.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and ongoing budget-to-actual analysis.
• Oversee payroll processing and compliance.
• Manage inventory accounting and cost accounting for the manufacturing operation.
• Directly manage and develop AR/AP Supervisor and Inventory Analyst; build capabilities across the team.
• Build and document finance processes and systems to support growth.

Skills

Controller experience

Cost accounting

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Cash flow management

Internal controls

Education

CPA designation

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Industry: Packaging and Containers Manufacturing

Position Type: Backfill

About the Opportunity

Our client, an established, growing Canadian manufacturing company, is currently seeking a hands‑on Controller as a backfill within the finance function, reporting directly to the General Manager and CFO. This role sits at the center of it all: the person in this seat will be responsible for the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of the company's financial information across reporting, accounting operations, internal controls, cash flow, budgeting, payroll, and inventory and cost accounting.

This is a strong next step for a high‑potential finance professional, an Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager or Senior Financial Analyst, ready to lead a full finance function and grow the team around them. You'll directly manage the AR/AP Supervisor and Inventory Analyst, with real scope to build processes and develop capability in a business that's actively investing in its people, systems and equipment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day operations of the finance function, ensuring the accuracy, timeliness and integrity of all financial information.
• Own monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting, presenting results to the General Manager and CFO
• Oversee full‑cycle accounting operations, including AR/AP, general ledger and month‑end close.
• Establish and strengthen internal controls across the finance function.
• Own cash flow reporting and forecasting.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and ongoing budget‑to‑actual analysis.
• Oversee payroll processing and compliance.
• Manage inventory accounting and cost accounting for the manufacturing operation.
• Directly manage and develop the AR/AP Supervisor and Inventory Analyst; set clear responsibilities, review their work and build their capabilities.
• Build and document finance processes and systems to support the company's continued growth.

What You Bring

• Progressive accounting/finance experience with demonstrated readiness to step into a Controller‑level role.
• Hands‑on experience with cost accounting and inventory accounting, within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to own financial reporting, budgeting and cash flow management end‑to‑end.
• Experience managing or mentoring direct reports, with a track record of developing team capability.
• Strong working knowledge of internal controls and full‑cycle accounting operations.
• Analytical, resourceful and dependable, with comfort operating in a hands‑on, entrepreneurial environment.

Nice to Have

• Experience with ERP or inventory management systems in a manufacturing setting.
• Practical experience using AI tools for business.
• Background in food & beverage or packaging manufacturing.

Next Steps

We appreciate your interest; however, we will contact only those selected for an interview. Clarity Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and workplace. If you require accommodation, please let us know in advance, and we will work with you to meet your needs. Please note: We use AI‑assisted tools for note‑taking during the screening process.

JOB ID # 3670111