Associate Director, Corporate Controller

Mizkan America Inc.; Schaumburg (IL); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with company match

Profit sharing

Wellness programs

Education assistance

Employee referral bonuses

Job summary

The Associate Director - Corporate Controller at Mizkan America leads U.S. corporate accounting for our entities, overseeing close, reporting, GL, AP/AR, tax coordination and internal controls.

Based in our Schaumburg, IL office with a hybrid schedule and flexible hours, you will partner with Finance leadership to ensure timely, accurate financial statements. You will develop accounting talent, drive process improvements, automate routines, and uphold strong controls while supporting the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business required.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 8-12 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of accounting leadership experience.
• Experience leading corporate accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, customer accounting, credit, collections, and financial reporting.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics D365, Power BI, or similar ERP and reporting platforms preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct corporate accounting operations including general ledger and financial reporting.
• Implement and maintain accounting policies and controls for timely, compliant reporting.
• Partner with VP and business leaders to support priorities and governance.
• Drive process improvements, automation, and standardization across accounting.
• Lead and develop the accounting team with accountability and collaboration.

Skills

Excel

Power BI

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business

CPA

MBA or Master’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics D365

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director - Corporate Controller is responsible for leading Mizkan’s corporate accounting operations for U.S. legal entities and ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial reporting. This role oversees the monthly close process, external and internal reporting, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, credit, collections, deductions, customer accounting, tax coordination, internal controls, and account reconciliation activities.

Reporting to the Vice President, Finance and Accounting, the Associate Director serves as a key accounting leader and business partner, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, supporting strong internal controls, and driving operational excellence across the accounting function. This role is responsible for developing accounting talent, promoting accountability, and continuously improving accounting processes, controls, and reporting capabilities to support the organization’s financial objectives.

About Mizkan America

Mizkan America, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, is a part of the Mizkan Group, a global, family-owned company that has been Bringing Flavor to Life™ for more than 220 years. We’re one of the leading makers of vinegars, condiments and sauces in the U.S., with manufacturing facilities across the country serving retail, foodservice, and food ingredient customers. Our portfolio covers Meal Solutions, Flavor Enhancers and Inspired Mixology. It includes trusted brands such as RAGÚ®, BERTOLLI®, BORN SIMPLE®, HOLLAND HOUSE®, NAKANO®, MIZKAN® and ZING ZANG®, and we’re the exclusive North American importer and distributor of ANGOSTURA®.

Why Join Mizkan America?

We combine the resources and brand power of a major food company with the speed and agility of a smaller company. That means fewer layers, faster decisions and real ownership of work you can see on store shelves. Two principles guide everything we do: offer customers only the finest products and continuously challenge the status quo. We’re investing in what’s next, including tools and training to use AI responsibly so it strengthens human judgment rather than replacing it. Whether you work in operations, innovation, commercial or a corporate function, your work makes an impact, and we’re invested in your growth.

Work Location & Schedule

Work Location: Mizkan America’s corporate office in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid schedule that combines in-person collaboration with remote work on other scheduled days, based on business needs and company guidelines.

Schedule: This role is scheduled for at least eight (8) hours per day and 40 or more hours per week. Core hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Start and end times may be flexible between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., helping employees balance flexibility with team collaboration, business needs, and deadlines.

In-Office Days: Employees work onsite Tuesday through Thursday, creating dedicated time for connection and collaboration. On these days, employees are expected to work at least eight (8) hours in the office, including core hours.

Additional Requirements: From time to time, additional onsite attendance, schedule flexibility, or business travel may be needed to support meetings, projects, and other business priorities.

What You’ll Do

Corporate Accounting Leadership

• Direct and oversee corporate accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, credit, collections, deductions, customer accounting, and financial reporting activities.
• Implement and maintain accounting policies, procedures, systems, and operating disciplines that support accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting.
• Partner closely with the Vice President, Finance and Accounting and other business leaders to support accounting priorities, governance requirements, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Drive process improvements, standardization efforts, automation initiatives, and best practices that improve efficiency and effectiveness across the accounting organization.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service within the accounting team.

Monthly Close, Reporting & Account Reconciliations

• Lead the monthly close process and ensure financial results are complete, accurate, timely, and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Oversee the preparation and review of monthly financial statements and management reporting packages, including balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, budgets, and variance analyses.
• Ensure disciplined account review and reconciliation processes and strong general ledger controls across all operations.
• Review and validate close deliverables and reporting packages prior to management review, ensuring issues are identified, escalated, and resolved appropriately.
• Monitor accounting performance metrics and implement corrective actions that improve close effectiveness, reporting quality, and team performance.
• Ensure compliance with monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting requirements and deadlines.

Controls, Compliance, Audit & Risk Management

• Lead external audit activities, including audit planning, information requests, issue resolution, and remediation efforts.
• Support IFRS-related accounting activities, including transition requirements, documentation, audit support, and remediation initiatives as needed.
• Oversee accounting support for valuation analyses, impairment reviews, carrying value assessments, and other technical accounting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with statutory payroll, property tax, regulatory reporting, and company policy requirements.
• Maintain effective internal controls, process documentation, audit trails, and corrective action plans that mitigate financial reporting risk.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen working capital performance through effective oversight of receivables, payables, credit, and collections activities.
• Champion continuous improvement and automation of recurring accounting processes.

Accounting Quality, Analysis & Business Support

• Monitor receivables performance and credit exposure to identify, elevate, and mitigate potential risks.
• Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of accounting data, reconciliations, analyses, and reporting outputs.
• Oversee special accounting projects and ad hoc analyses, ensuring conclusions and recommendations are supported by sound accounting principles and financial analysis.
• Provide accounting guidance and interpretation of financial results while partnering effectively with FP&A, finance leadership, and business stakeholders.
• Ensure consistency between accounting records, management reporting, and external reporting requirements.
• Support business decision-making through timely financial analysis and accounting expertise.

Leadership, Team Development & Continuous Improvement

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing accounting team through performance management, mentoring, and career development.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and ownership across the accounting organization.
• Support succession planning and capability development to strengthen organizational depth and readiness.
• Promote collaboration and alignment across finance and cross-functional business teams.
• Lead initiatives that improve accounting operations, internal controls, reporting quality, and service delivery.
• Recognize achievement, provide constructive feedback, and address performance concerns in a timely and effective manner.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and generally accepted accounting principles and practices.
• IFRS experience, including transition support, first-time adoption activities, documentation, audit support, and remediation efforts, strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, financial analysis, account reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and project management capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics D365, Power BI, or similar ERP and reporting platforms preferred.

Education/Experience/Qualifications/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business required.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• MBA and/or Master’s degree in Accounting or Finance preferred.
• Minimum of 8-12 years of progressive accounting experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of accounting leadership experience managing teams and developing talent.
• Experience leading corporate accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, customer accounting, credit, collections, deductions, financial reporting, and account reconciliations.
• Experience supporting external audits, internal controls, compliance activities, and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics D365, Power BI, or similar ERP and reporting platforms preferred.
• Experience in food and beverage manufacturing and/or consumer products industries highly desirable.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Ability to remain seated at a workstation for extended periods (up to 8 hours per day).
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and operating office equipment.
• Ability to view computer screens and read printed materials for prolonged periods.
• Occasional standing, walking, reaching, and movement within the office environment.
• Ability to lift and carry office supplies or equipment weighing up to 10-15 pounds.
• Adequate hearing and speech capabilities to communicate effectively in person and through telephone and video conferencing platforms.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is $175,000 - $200,000 per year. This position is not eligible for overtime pay.

Actual compensation may vary based on relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, market data, and geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Bonus Eligibility: This position is eligible to participate in Mizkan’s Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP).

Benefits: Mizkan offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid time off and company holidays, life and disability insurance, 401(k) with up to 4% company match, profit sharing, wellness programs, education assistance, and employee referral bonuses. Benefits eligibility and plan provisions are subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plans.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Mizkan America, Inc. is unable to provide or assume sponsorship for an employment visa now or in the future.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility

Mizkan America, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications and business needs. Mizkan America, Inc. does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process should contact [e-mail].