Business Unit Controller

ITW; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ITW seeks an US Ops Controller who will own the P&L for Richton Park and Mokena, drive the Annual Plan, Critical Forecast, and Monthly Outlook, and partner with plant operations to improve cost, productivity, and profitability.

This role leads the US accounting organization, serves as primary external audit contact, ensures compliance with ITW policies, and develops a high-performing finance team across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA or CMA preferred, along with a strong inventory/cost background
• 7-10 years of progressive finance experience in a manufacturing environment, including multi-site responsibility and/or >$75M revenue
• Prior Controller level experience; experience at a publicly traded or PE-backed company is a plus
• Demonstrated FP&A leadership: Annual Plan, forecasting, variance analysis
• Proven track record partnering with Operations leadership to drive cost and productivity improvement, 80/20 or CI exposure
• Strong internal controls background and comfort as primary contact for external audit
• Demonstrated people leadership: managing and developing direct reports who lead broader teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to set KPIs and influence decisions
• Time management and prioritization across multiple sites and priorities

Responsibilities

• Own the P&L narrative and financial results for Richton Park and Mokena
• Lead the Annual Plan, Critical Forecast, and Monthly Outlook across both plants
• Feed plant profitability into the Division Controller's segmented P&L strategy
• Drive improvements in forecast accuracy and timeliness
• Analyze variances and communicate recommendations to management
• Provide management visibility to key metrics (daily, weekly, MTD vs forecast)
• Partner with Operations to monitor performance and improve cost, productivity, scrap, warranty, and freight
• Support financial justification for capital requests (ROI, NPV, Payback)
• Lead ITW Toolbox Initiatives and ensure internal controls across plants
• Represent US finance to Division Controller and site leadership

Skills

FP&A leadership

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Cost improvement

Internal controls

Audit liaison

People leadership

Operations partnership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

The US Ops Controller is the single point of accountability for US finance across both the Richton Park and Mokena facilities, reporting directly to the Division Controller. This role owns the business outcome for both plants : driving the Annual Plan, Critical Forecast, and Monthly Outlook, partnering with plant operations leadership to improve cost and productivity, and owning the internal control environment and external audit relationship. The US Ops Controller leads the broader US accounting organization, and represents US finance to the Division Controller and site leadership.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Own the P&L narrative and financial results for both Richton Park and Mokena
• Lead the Annual Plan, Critical Forecast, and Monthly Outlook across both plants
• Feed plant-level profitability data and analysis into the Division Controller's segmented P&L strategy
• Drive improvements in monthly and critical-quarter forecasting accuracy and timeliness
• Analyze and communicate significant variances to forecast and plan, with clear recommendations to management
• Provide plant management visibility to key metrics throughout the month (daily, weekly, MTD actual vs. forecast)
• Partner with plant operations leadership to monitor performance and improve cost, specifically productivity/labor, scrap, warranty, and premium freight
• Help Operations understand the financial impact of their decisions
• Partner with the Division Controller and Operations on financial justification for capital requests, including ROI, NPV, and Payback
• Lead and/or participate in ITW Toolbox Initiatives within the business (80/20, USa, PLS)
• Own the internal control environment across both plants; serve as primary external audit contact and ensure above-average results on internal audits
• Ensure compliance with ITW Financial Policies and Procedures across both plants
• Manage and develop the team, and build a talent pipeline across the broader US accounting organization
• Represent US finance to the Division Controller and site leadership
• Other projects as business requires

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA or CMA preferred, along with a strong inventory/cost background
• 7-10 years of progressive finance experience in a manufacturing environment, including multi-site responsibility and/or greater than $75 million in combined annual revenue
• Prior Controller level experience required; experience at a publicly traded or private-equity-backed company is a plus
• Demonstrated FP&A leadership : Annual Plan, forecasting, variance analysis. Not solely close/technical accounting background
• Proven track record partnering with Operations leadership to drive cost and productivity improvement, ideally with 80/20 or similar continuous improvement exposure
• Strong internal controls background and comfort serving as the primary contact for external audit
• Demonstrated people leadership : managing and developing direct reports who themselves lead a broader team
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to set key financial performance indicators and communicate recommendations that change business decisions
• Proven time management and prioritization ability across multiple sites and competing priorities

Compensation Information: $130k-$170k

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues' unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.