Controller

Wow Bao; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Restaurant Discounts

Employee Discount Programs

Job summary

Wow Bao in Chicago is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead accounting, financial reporting, cash management, internal controls, and compliance for a fast-growing multi-channel CPG and food manufacturing business.

You will own the full accounting cycle, drive the monthly close, coordinate audits, and partner with operations on inventory and cost accounting while supporting forecasting and performance reporting. CPA and 5–7 years of relevant experience required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA certification required.
• 5–7 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, with 2–3 years in a Controller role.
• Experience in CPG, food manufacturing, or multi-unit retail preferred.
• Strong internal controls and audit coordination.

Responsibilities

• Own the full accounting cycle and general ledger.
• Lead monthly close and prepare GAAP financial statements.
• Coordinate external audit and tax filings.
• Manage cash, working capital, and 13-week cash forecast.
• Oversee inventory costing and cost accounting in partnership with operations.
• Develop and mentor accounting team; improve processes.

Skills

CPA

Controller experience

CPG/food manufacturing experience

Budgeting & forecasting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Ready to make a big impact? Wow Bao is seeking a passionate and hands onController to lead accounting, financial reporting, cash management, internal controls, and compliance for a fast-growing, multi-channel CPG and food manufacturing company. This role owns the integrity of the books and a disciplined close, protects liquidity and working capital, and delivers accurate, timely reporting.

The Controller also partners with operations and commercial leaders on inventory, cost accounting, and trade spend, and supports forecasting, budgeting, and performance reporting across business channels. Deep CPG and/or food manufacturing experience is essential.

This position will report directly to the VP of Finance.

Why Join Wow Bao?

• Join the adventure! Be part of a fast-growing, innovative brand that’s shaping the future of food
• Make an impact. Opportunity to shape financial strategy during a pivotal expansion phase.
• Collaborative and creative. Thrive in an entrepreneurial culture that values bold ideas and big growth.
• Bao-tastic perks! Enjoy all the delicious, flavorful bao you can handle!

Innovative. Fast Pace. Growth.

At Wow Bao, we believe food should be bold, exciting, and anything but ordinary. We're on a mission to reinvent the Asian Street Food experience—bringing inventive flavors and high-quality ingredients to every bite.

As the fastest-growing Frozen Asian Snack brand in the U.S., Wow Bao achieved over 370% retail sales growth in 2024, and our products are now available in 16,000+ grocery stores nationwide thanks to strong partnerships with leading retailers.

Our journey began in 2003 with the opening of our first restaurant, and today Wow Bao is a thriving omni-channel brand with a presence in Chicago restaurants, airports, virtual kitchens, and universities. We continue to expand across all verticals—including foodservice, retail, and corporate operations.

Wow Bao is proud to be the only brand recognized three times by Fast Casual magazine as a Top 100 Movers & Shakers—earning the #1 spot in both 2019 and 2022, and #4 in 2023. This recognition reflects our commitment to innovation, growth, and excellence in what we do.

Join us and be part of a team that’s transforming the way the world experiences Asian cuisine—one bao at a time.

We foster a culture of caring.

Whether it’s our guests or our employees, we put people first. We strive to inspire, to motivate, and to appreciate one another every day. We live by the golden rule and treat everyone with kindness, empathy, respect, and a healthy dose of humor. We take our work, not ourselves, seriously.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (Other duties will be assigned as needed)

Accounting, Close & Financial Reporting

• Own the full accounting cycle and general ledger, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and flux analysis.
• Lead the monthly close process; establish and run a close calendar that delivers timely, decision-ready financial statements.
• Prepare and review GAAP financial statements and management reporting packages for accuracy, completeness, and clarity.
• Coordinate the annual external audit; own PBC schedules, auditor requests, and remediation of findings.
• Coordinate tax compliance and filings with external advisors (income, sales & use, and other applicable taxes).
• Establish and maintain internal controls appropriate to company size, with clear documentation and compensating controls where the team is lean.

Cash Management & Working Capital

• Own cash management, including bank reconciliations, payment controls, and reliable short-term cash visibility.
• Maintain a rolling cash forecast (e.g., 13-week) and partner with leadership on liquidity and working-capital priorities.
• Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, including payment runs, collections cadence, and credit/collections risk.
• Monitor working-capital drivers (receivables, inventory, payables).
• Inventory, Cost Accounting & Plant Partnership
• Own inventory accounting, valuation, reserves, and obsolescence analysis across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Lead cost accounting processes and margin analysis; partner with operations to understand and improve manufacturing and distribution cost.
• Partner closely with the plant accountant and operations leadership on inventory accuracy, physical/cycle counts, cost variances, and plant reporting into the corporate books.
• Support pricing and margin decisions with clear cost and channel economics in partnership with commercial and operations leaders.

Team Leadership & Process Improvement

• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting team; set clear goals, close ownership, and coverage plans.
• Strengthen systems and processes (close checklist, inventory/cost workflows) to improve accuracy, speed, and control.
• Foster a culture of care, accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional partnership.
• Revenue, Trade Spend & Gross-to-Net
• Oversee accounting and reporting for retailer discounts, promotional allowances, rebates, scan-downs, chargebacks, slotting, co-op, and related trade programs.
• Review and validate retailer deductions, claims, and payment discrepancies; drive root-cause resolution with commercial and customers as needed.
• Implement and maintain controls around customer contracts, pricing agreements, and promotional funding commitments.
• Improve visibility and forecasting of trade investment and net revenue by channel/customer. Oversee accounting and reporting for retailer discounts, promotional allowances, rebates, scan-downs, chargebacks.

Planning, Forecasting & Stakeholder Reporting

• Lead the annual operating budget and ongoing forecasting process in partnership with the VP of Finance.
• Prepare monthly financial reporting packages for the Board of Directors and investors, including performance vs. plan, cash, and key risks/opportunities.
• Prepare regular management reporting (e.g., weekly flash / operational summaries) covering performance across business channels.
• Build and maintain practical financial models and analyses to evaluate initiatives (e.g. product launches, supply chain or cost actions).
• Maintain string working relationships with banking partners, auditors, and other external advisors.
• Other duties will be assigned as needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• CPA required.
• 5 to 7 years of progressive experience in accounting and finance, with the majority of experience in accounting with 2 to 3 years as a Controller
• 2+ years of accounting experience in CPG, food & beverage, manufacturing, and/or multi-unit retail.
• Demonstrated ownership of the full accounting cycle and monthly close, including general ledger, reconciliations, and issuance of accurate financial statements.
• Hands‑on experience with cash management and working capital, including cash forecasting and oversight of AP/AR processes.
• Experience establishing or maintaining internal controls and leading the external audit process from the company side.
• Experience with inventory accounting and cost accounting in a manufacturing or CPG environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED:

• Experience with large retail partners such as Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, or regional grocery chains
• Advance proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel
• Experience with managing retail deductions, trade spend, rebates, chargebacks, and gross-to-net revenue accounting

Compensation for this position is between $120,000.00 to $150,000.00 per year.

Wow Bao is an Equal Opportunity Employer

• Competitive salary
• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability
• Domestic Partner Benefits
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Restaurant Discounts
• Employee Discount Programs
• We foster a culture of CARE