Business Controller

Find Great People | FGP; Columbia (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Find Great People | FGP is representing a growing manufacturing client in Columbia, TN, seeking a hands-on Business Controller to lead the finance function and serve as a key partner to executive leadership.

The role covers finance, accounting, purchasing, and IT, with responsibility for standard costing, ERP (NetSuite) optimization, and scalable processes to support rapid growth and improved margin performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 5+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Strong cost accounting, inventory accounting, and manufacturing operations expertise.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably NetSuite.
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead all month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Prepare and deliver accurate, GAAP-compliant financial reporting.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, and financial analyses to support executive decision-making.
• Partner with leadership to drive financial performance and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee NetSuite ERP environment and related financial systems.

Skills

Operational finance

Leadership

Financial modeling

Business partnering

Cost accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

NetSuite ERP

Job description

Our client is seeking a highly capable and hands‑on Business Controller to lead the finance function for a growing manufacturing operation. This individual will serve as a key business partner to executive leadership, overseeing all aspects of finance, accounting, purchasing, and IT while helping build the infrastructure needed to support continued growth.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of operational finance, cost accounting, ERP expertise, and leadership experience within a manufacturing environment. This role will play a critical part in driving financial performance, optimizing business processes, and developing a scalable organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Prepare and deliver accurate, timely, GAAP-compliant financial reporting.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, and financial analyses to support executive decision-making.
• Partner with leadership to drive financial performance and strategic initiatives.

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve standard costing methodologies.
• Analyze and report labor, material, overhead, and inventory variances.
• Drive inventory accuracy and support cycle count and physical inventory processes.
• Provide actionable insights to improve plant profitability, operational efficiency, and margin performance.
• Oversee and maximize the company's NetSuite ERP environment.
• Drive enhancements related to standard costing, bill of materials (BOM), assembly items, inventory management, and reporting.
• Partner with operational teams to improve processes, controls, data integrity, and reporting capabilities.
• Provide oversight of IT resources and technology initiatives supporting the business.

Capital Investment & Strategic Analysis

• Evaluate capital expenditure opportunities, including equipment purchases and automation investments.
• Develop ROI, payback, and financial impact analyses to support investment decisions.
• Monitor project performance against approved financial expectations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build and lead an internal accounting and finance organization.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing team members.
• Provide leadership across finance, accounting, purchasing, and IT functions.
• Establish scalable processes, controls, and reporting structures to support organizational growth.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong expertise in cost accounting, inventory accounting, and manufacturing operations.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably NetSuite.
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive process improvements.
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and business partnering skills.

Preferred

• CPA and/or CMA designation.
• Experience supporting multi-site or rapidly growing manufacturing operations.
• Background leading ERP implementations, upgrades, or optimization projects.
• Experience overseeing purchasing, supply chain support, or IT functions.

Personal Characteristics

• Hands‑on, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate strategically and tactically.
• Strong leadership presence and ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• Results‑oriented with excellent problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Effective communicator capable of partnering with both plant and executive leadership teams.

Work Arrangement

• Full-time, 100% on‑site position at the manufacturing facility.