Controller

Schaefer Plastics North America, LLC.; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA) / FSA

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off (PTO) & Holidays

Life and Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

Schaefer Plastics North America, LLC is seeking an experienced Controller to oversee daily accounting operations in our manufacturing environment. This hands-on leadership role involves mentoring a high-performing team and driving financial processes.

The ideal candidate will bring public accounting and manufacturing accounting experience, strong GAAP knowledge, and a collaborative leadership style to partner with Finance leadership and operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required; CPA is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive accounting experience.
• Public accounting experience (Big Four or regional) is preferred.
• Experience with external financial statement audits and manufacturing accounting.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes with accuracy and timeliness.
• Prepare and review financial statements per U.S. GAAP.
• Review journal entries, reconciliations, and balance sheet analyses.
• Ensure integrity of the general ledger and reporting processes.
• Coordinate external audits and audit schedules.
• Oversee inventory accounting, standard costing, and cost accounting.
• Develop and implement improved accounting procedures and internal controls.
• Lead and develop the accounting team and foster continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Financial analysis

GAAP knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

CPA certification preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

At Schaefer Plastics, we manufacture industry-leading solutions and drive responsible practices towards a sustainable future for generations to come. As a family-owned company since 1937, we are deeply committed to delivering exceptional customer care through high-quality, innovative waste and packaging solutions. Our customers and their satisfaction are paramount to our business; we strive to understand their needs and exceed their expectations at every turn.We are a global injection molding manufacturer, producing durable waste and recycling carts, and pioneering reusable packaging systems that reduce carbon footprints. Our dynamic and inclusive culture fosters personal and professional growth, making us an ideal employer for career advancement.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Controller to oversee the daily accounting operations for our growing manufacturing organization. This is a working leadership role ideal for an accounting professional who enjoys being actively involved in financial operations while mentoring and developing a high-performing team.

The Controller is responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, maintaining strong internal controls, supporting compliance with U.S. GAAP, and driving continuous process improvements. This position partners closely with the Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to support strategic business objectives and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate brings a combination of public accounting experience, manufacturing expertise, strong technical accounting knowledge, and a collaborative leadership style.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Prepare and review financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, and balance sheet analyses.
• Ensure the integrity of the general ledger and financial reporting processes.
• Coordinate annual external audits and prepare required audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Assist with year-end financial reporting and compliance requirements.

Manufacturing & Cost Accounting

• Oversee inventory accounting, standard costing, and cost accounting functions.
• Analyze inventory transactions, manufacturing variances, and cost trends.
• Partner with Operations to investigate and resolve production and inventory variances.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and support physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• Continuously improve inventory controls and cost accounting processes.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain and strengthen internal accounting controls and financial policies.
• Develop, document, and improve accounting procedures and workflows.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead audit readiness initiatives throughout the year.
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the accounting team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Establish performance expectations and support professional development.
• Serve as the department's technical accounting resource.
• Promote operational excellence through process improvements and best practices.

Business Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Operations, Purchasing, Customer Service, Sales, and other departments.
• Provide financial analysis and reporting to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Participate in ERP enhancements, system implementations, and other cross-functional initiatives.
• Support special projects as assigned by Finance leadership.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• CPA certification is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive accounting experience.
• Previous public accounting experience (Big Four or regional public accounting firm preferred).
• Experience managing external financial statement audits.
• Manufacturing industry accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of inventory accounting and cost accounting.
• Advanced knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Experience working with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing accounting teams.
• Experience improving accounting processes through automation and technology.
• Multi-entity and/or multi-location manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting ERP implementations or system upgrades.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong technical accounting and financial reporting expertise.
• Thorough understanding of manufacturing accounting and inventory valuation.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement solutions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to:

• Lead by example and actively support day-to-day accounting operations.
• Balance attention to detail with strategic thinking.
• Take ownership and drive issues through resolution.
• Foster accountability and continuous improvement.
• Build trust through technical expertise and dependable execution.
• Communicate effectively with executives, managers, and staff.
• Perform effectively under pressure while consistently meeting deadlines.
• Challenge existing processes and recommend innovative, efficient solutions.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically.
• Office environment within a manufacturing facility.
• Regular interaction with operations and production personnel.
• Occasional extended hours may be required during month-end close, year-end close, audits, or special projects.

Success in This Role

Within the first year, the successful Controller will:

• Take ownership of the monthly financial close process with exceptional accuracy and timeliness.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across Finance and Operations.
• Improve accounting processes, reporting efficiencies, and internal controls.
• Successfully lead the annual external audit.
• Strengthen inventory management and cost accounting processes.
• Develop and elevate the performance of the accounting team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
• Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Development and Training Opportunities

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and make employment decisions based on qualifications, merits, and business needs. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Schaefer Plastics North America, LLC collects and uses the personal information you provide during the application and recruiting process to evaluate your qualifications, communicate with you, schedule interviews, make hiring decisions, and, if selected, complete offer and onboarding activities. Applicant information may include your resume, contact information, work history, education, skills, interview notes, references, and other information you choose to provide or that is needed for the position. Please do not submit sensitive personal information irrelevant to the role, such as Social Security numbers, banking information, medical information, copies of identification, or other unnecessary personal documents, unless specifically requested at the appropriate stage of the hiring process. Your information will only be shared with individuals who have a legitimate need to know for recruiting and hiring purposes, such as Human Resources, recruiters, hiring managers, interview participants, and approved service providers or systems used in the recruiting process. Applicant information will not be forwarded to other departments, locations, or legal entities, or considered for unrelated future openings unless permitted by law or you have provided the required consent. Applicant records will be retained only as long as necessary for recruiting, legal, compliance, and recordkeeping purposes, and then deleted or destroyed in accordance with applicable retention requirements. If we would like to keep your information on file for future opportunities, we will request your consent where required.

Questions about how applicant data is handled may be directed to Human Resources or to the appropriate SSI SCHAEFER data protection contact