Controller

LHH; Menomonee Falls (WI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Performance-based bonus

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development assistance

Leadership opportunity

Job summary

LHH is seeking an experienced Controller for a privately owned mid-sized manufacturing company in Menomonee Falls, WI. The role leads all accounting functions, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury, and internal controls, reporting to the President and/or CFO.

The ideal candidate has manufacturing cost accounting expertise, strong leadership, ERP experience, and a track record of improving profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA designation strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• 3+ years of accounting leadership or management experience.
• Manufacturing industry experience required.
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, inventory accounting, and financial reporting.
• Experience with ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent leadership, analytical, and communication abilities.
• Ability to partner effectively with operations and executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day accounting operations: GL, AP, AR, payroll, fixed assets.
• Oversee close processes and financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, management reports, and KPIs.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and accounting policies.
• Present financial results to executive leadership.
• Oversee standard costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis.
• Analyze production costs, labor efficiency, material utilization, and plant performance.
• Maintain inventory controls and cycle counts; drive cost accounting improvements.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting; prepare cash flow forecasts and monitor working capital.
• Analyze trends and provide actionable profitability and efficiency recommendations.
• Support strategic planning and capital investments.
• Develop and maintain strong internal controls; coordinate audits and liaise with external parties.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state/local reporting; strengthen accounting systems and procedures.
• Supervise and mentor staff; establish performance expectations and coaching.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within finance team.

Skills

Cost accounting

Inventory accounting

Financial reporting

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA designation preferred

MBA or CMA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Our client is a well-established, privately owned mid-sized manufacturing company headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. The organization is known for its commitment to quality, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction while fostering a collaborative, team-oriented culture. The company is seeking an experienced Controller to lead its accounting and financial operations and serve as a strategic business partner to executive leadership.

Position Overview

The Controller will oversee all accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury, and internal control functions for the organization. Reporting directly to the President and/or CFO, this position will provide financial leadership and strategic insight to support continued growth and operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate will have a strong manufacturing accounting background with expertise in cost accounting, inventory management, financial planning, and team leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, management reports, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and company accounting policies.
• Present financial results and recommendations to executive leadership.

Manufacturing & Cost Accounting

• Oversee standard costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Partner with operations leadership to analyze production costs, labor efficiencies, material utilization, and plant performance.
• Maintain robust inventory controls and oversee physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• Drive continuous improvements in cost accounting processes and reporting.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts and monitor working capital performance.
• Analyze business trends and develop actionable recommendations to improve profitability and efficiency.
• Support strategic planning initiatives and capital investment decisions.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Develop and maintain strong internal controls and financial processes.
• Coordinate annual audits and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, bankers, insurance providers, and tax advisors.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local reporting requirements.
• Evaluate and strengthen accounting systems and procedures to support company growth.
• Supervise and mentor accounting staff.
• Establish performance expectations, provide coaching, and support employee development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the finance team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA designation strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• 3+ years of accounting leadership or management experience.
• Manufacturing industry experience required.
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, inventory accounting, and financial reporting.
• Experience with ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent leadership, analytical, and communication abilities.
• Ability to partner effectively with operations and executive leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a mid-sized manufacturing environment.
• Background leading ERP implementations, upgrades, or process improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations is a plus.
• MBA or CMA certification preferred but not required.
• Competitive base salary: $130,000 - $170,000+ depending on experience
• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Professional development and continuing education assistance
• Opportunity to play a key leadership role within a growing organization

Why Join?

This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for an experienced accounting professional who enjoys partnering with operations, influencing business decisions, and helping drive the success of a manufacturing organization. The Controller will have direct impact on the company's financial performance and strategic direction while leading a talented accounting team.