Controller

Spraying Systems Co.; Glendale Heights (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Spraying Systems Co. seeks an experienced Controller to lead the accounting function for our main facility in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL. The role partners with Plant Leadership and executive management to drive performance and strategic financial insights.

The Controller will own the general ledger, close process, cost accounting, internal controls, and compliance, while driving finance transformation and data-driven decision making across the global manufacturing footprint.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience.
• Manufacturing experience with strong cost accounting background.
• Solid knowledge of US GAAP and internal control frameworks.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Dynamics preferred) and advanced Excel.
• Experience managing and developing a team.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close per US GAAP.
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and variance reporting.
• Own standard costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis for manufacturing.
• Partner with Operations to analyze plant performance, production costs, and margin trends.
• Support annual standard cost setting and cost roll-ups.
• Design, implement, and maintain a strong internal control environment.
• Ensure compliance with accounting policies, local statutory requirements, and tax regulations.
• Coordinate with external auditors and manage the annual audit process.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting cycles for the facility.
• Provide financial analysis for capital expenditures, cost reduction initiatives, and operational improvements.
• Develop KPIs related to manufacturing efficiency and working capital.
• Mentor and develop the local accounting/finance team.
• Foster data-driven decision making and technology adoption.
• Collaborate with global finance, operations, HR, and market development teams.
• Develop talent capable of leveraging technology for better performance.

Skills

Manufacturing focus

Cost accounting

US GAAP knowledge

Excel (advanced)

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics ERP

Power BI

Job description

We are a global manufacturer with operations spanning multiple countries, headquartered at our primary facility in the western suburbs of Chicago. We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Controller to lead our accounting function, ensure financial integrity across our manufacturing operations, and partner closely with plant and executive leadership to drive performance.

The Controller is responsible for overseeing all accounting operations at our main factory and supporting consolidated financial reporting across our global manufacturing footprint. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), this role serves as a strategic business partner to Plant Leadership, Operations, and executive management. The Controller owns the general ledger, financial close process, cost accounting, internal controls, and compliance while driving finance process improvement, digital transformation initiatives, and data-driven decision making across the organization. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with manufacturing and cost accounting experience, a continuous improvement mindset, and the ability to translate financial data into actionable business insights.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with US GAAP
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations, account analysis, and variance reporting

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Own standard costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis (labor, material, overhead) for the manufacturing operation
• Partner with Operations to analyze plant performance, production costs, and margin trends
• Support annual standard cost setting and periodic cost roll-ups
• Act as a trusted financial advisor to Plant Leadership, and Operations teams by providing analysis and recommendations that improve productivity, inventory management, margin performance, and operational efficiency.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Design, implement, and maintain a strong internal control environment
• Ensure compliance with corporate accounting policies, local statutory requirements, and tax regulations
• Coordinate with external auditors and manage the annual audit process
• Manage sales & use tax, property tax, and other regulatory filings as applicable

Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting process and periodic forecasting/reforecasting cycles for the facility
• Work closely with plant leadership to provide financial analysis and decision support on capital expenditures, cost reduction initiatives, and operational improvements
• Develop and monitor KPIs related to manufacturing efficiency, working capital, and profitability
• Manage, mentor, and develop the local accounting/finance team (AP, AR, GL)
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, technology adoption, and data-driven decision making
• Collaborate cross-functionally with global finance, operations, HR, manufacturing and market development teams
• Develop high-performing accounting and finance talent capable of leveraging technology to improve financial performance and business insights.

Systems, Digital Transformation & Process Improvement

• Champion automation, technology adoption, and process improvements to minimize manual effort and increase the speed, accuracy, and reliability of accounting processes.
• Establish processes for validating financial results with greater frequency and reduced latency to support timely operational and financial reporting.
• Support data governance initiatives through effective management of financial master data, chart of accounts structures, reporting hierarchies, and system controls.
• Partner with IT and business stakeholders to improve the extraction, integration, and flow of financial and operational data across systems.
• Leverage business intelligence, analytics, and visualization tools to improve reporting capabilities and support data-driven decision making.
• Support the evaluation and adoption of emerging finance technologies that enhance efficiency, insights, and organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience
• Manufacturing industry experience with strong cost accounting background
• Solid knowledge of US GAAP and internal control frameworks
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics preferred) and advanced Excel skills to improve efficiency, controls, and data quality
• Experience managing and developing a team
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills

Preferred Skills

• CPA or working toward certification
• Experience in a corporate or public accounting environment
• Knowledge of tax regulations and compliance
• Demonstrated experience leading finance transformation, process improvement, change management, or automation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of data analytics, business intelligence, and data visualization tools (Power BI experience preferred).