Controller

Robertson & Company Ltd.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Robertson & Company Ltd. in Ontario seeks a seasoned Controller to lead finance across three manufacturing sites (Brampton, Etobicoke, Belleville) with travel only quarterly. The role is 50% operations and 50% accounting, offering a $110-130K CAD salary and a path to drive financial and operational excellence.

You will build and mentor a ~5‑person accounting team, partner with Plant Managers, and report to senior leadership. Strong ASPE, ERP, and cost accounting skills are essential.

Qualifications

• CPA/CA or equivalent designation.
• 10+ years progressive accounting in manufacturing.
• Experience managing multi-site accounting teams.
• Strong cost, inventory, and standard costing expertise.
• ASPE knowledge and manufacturing ERP experience.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance and accounting across three facilities.
• Oversee month-end close and reporting.
• Partner with Plant Managers and operations.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives and continuous improvement.
• Develop and coach a 5-person team.
• Engage with auditors and treasury.

Skills

Financial leadership

Manufacturing accounting

Variance analysis

ERP systems

ASPE

People management

Budgeting

Excel proficiency

Education

CPA/CA designation

Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance

Tools

AS400

Excel

Job description

Brampton, Ontario — supporting three manufacturing facilities in Brampton, Etobicoke, and Belleville. Belleville travel is expected only once every few months.

$110-130K CAD

The Client:

Our client is a well-established and growing food manufacturing and distribution organization with multiple manufacturing facilities and distribution centres across Ontario. The organization is seeking a seasoned Controller who can combine strong financial leadership with hands‑on operational and manufacturing expertise.

This is a highly business-oriented Controller role, approximately 50% operations/business focused and 50% accounting and financial reporting focused. The successful candidate will partner closely with Plant Managers, Operations, Supply Chain, and senior leadership to translate financial results into actionable business insights and operational decisions.

What you will achieve in this role:

• Lead and develop a finance and accounting team of approximately5 FTEs, including 3 Cost Accountants, 1 Accounting Manager, and 1 Financial Analyst.
• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, performance management, training, and development to build a high‑performing accounting team.
• Oversee accounting and financial operations across three manufacturing facilities, partnering closely with Plant Managers and operational leadership.
• Manage the month‑end close process and deliver accurate, timely financial reporting packages with comprehensive variance analysis.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to ensure consistency and accuracy across operational reporting and financial analysis.
• Attend operational review meetings and provide financial insight into business performance, opportunities, risks, and areas for improvement.
• Analyze and report on manufacturing performance, including yield, labour efficiency, SKU mix, labour and operational expenses, inventory levels, and days inventory outstanding (DIO).
• Oversee and analyze standard costing, cost accounting, inventory accounting, and inventory valuations within a manufacturing environment.
• Support AFE review and tracking against approved project plans and monitor capital spending.
• Identify and support cost‑saving initiatives, including developing opportunities and measuring performance against established targets.
• Present financial and operational results to senior executives, including the CFO and VP Finance Operations, providing clear analysis of year‑over‑year performance and key business drivers.
• Participate in regular operational reviews with senior leadership and support Plant Managers in preparing and communicating operational results.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the accounting function, with a focus on efficiency, accuracy, automation, and value‑added activities.
• Strengthen financial processes and ensure business partners meet daily, weekly, and monthly reporting and closing timelines.
• Manage working capital and cash flow by monitoring cash movements, inventory levels, and overall working capital performance.
• Partner with key grocery customers within the distribution business while supporting strong working capital management.
• Establish, monitor, and strengthen internal controls and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure all balance sheet and variance account reconciliations are completed accurately and on a timely basis, with reconciling items appropriately resolved.
• Serve as a key contact for Treasury, intercompany divisions, and external auditors, coordinating information requests and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Collaborate with other Controllers and Finance leaders to establish and implement best practices across the organization.
• Translate financial results into meaningful business insights and operational recommendations, rather than simply reporting financial statements.

What you must bring to this role:

• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, with demonstrated career progression and increasing levels of responsibility.
• CPA, CMA, CGA, CA, or equivalent professional accounting designation.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Proven Controllership experience within a manufacturing environment; food manufacturing or food processing experience is highly preferred.
• Experience as a Plant Controller, Manufacturing Controller, or multi‑site Controller is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing accounting functions across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Strong full‑cycle accounting experience, including month‑end close, financial reporting, reconciliations, and variance analysis.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing accounting, cost accounting, inventory accounting, standard costing, and inventory valuations.
• Ability to analyze manufacturing costs and operational performance and communicate the financial impact of business decisions.
• Strong understanding of ASPE and the ability to interpret and apply accounting guidance to practical business situations.
• Demonstrated leadership and people‑management skills, with a track record of developing and growing accounting teams.
• Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to partner effectively with Operations, Supply Chain, Plant Management, and senior executives.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, communication, interpersonal, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, tight deadlines, and competing business demands.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience working with an ERP system; AS400 experience is considered a strong asset, although experience with other manufacturing ERP systems will be considered.
• Strong continuous improvement mindset with a focus on process efficiency and operational excellence.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, multi‑site manufacturing environment and build effective relationships across the organization.

What will set you apart:

• Food manufacturing or food processing experience.
• Previous experience overseeing accounting across multiple manufacturing plants.
• Experience working directly with Plant Managers and operational leadership.
• Strong understanding of inventory journal entries and practical inventory accounting.
• Demonstrated career progression from accounting roles into increasing levels of leadership and responsibility.
• Ability to confidently explain monthly financial results from an operational and business perspective.

Only those who are qualified will be contacted.

This posting is for an existing vacancy and is intended to fill a current open position.

Additional Information

Background screening is required as part of the onboarding process. The type of screening required (criminal, credit, or other verifications) will vary based on the position and client requirements.

We use AI technology as part of our application review process to assist in screening and assessment. All applications are also reviewed by our recruitment team.

Robertson values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We invite all qualified individuals to apply.

Robertson is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are a certified diverse supplier and actively seek to foster a representative and inclusive workforce. We are a certified diverse supplier and actively seek to foster a representative and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, Aboriginal status, or any other legally protected factors.