Controller

Schunk Carbon Technology Limited; Menomonee Falls (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Schunk Carbon Technology seeks an experienced Controller to lead SCT-US accounting, ensuring accurate, timely close and strong controls. You will partner with Finance Director and operations to drive margin improvement and working capital discipline.

You will develop the accounting team, standardize processes, and deliver clear financial reporting for management and Group Controlling. This role combines hands-on accounting with strategic leadership in a manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of general accounting, financial reporting, and cost accounting.
• Hands-on experience with standard cost systems and inventory costing.
• Experience coordinating or supporting financial audits.
• Advanced Excel and ERP/Microsoft tools skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide accounting leadership and develop the accounting team.
• Own month-end close and financial reporting.
• Maintain general ledger integrity and reconcile balances.
• Lead cost accounting activities and analyze variance.
• Coordinate budgets and analyze variances.
• Ensure controls, tax, and audits compliance.
• Oversee cash, working capital, and banking.
• Partner with management to present insights.
• Improve SAP-enabled processes and reporting.
• Lead cross-functional finance improvement projects.

Skills

Accounting leadership

Month-end close

Cost accounting

SAP

Excel

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA or MBA (preferred)

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Opportunity

This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced manufacturing accounting professional who wants both ownership and impact. The Controller leads the day-to-day accounting function for SCT-US, builds a disciplined and reliable close process, strengthens financial controls, and develops the accounting team. Working closely with the Director of Finance & Administration and operational leaders, this role ensures the numbers are accurate, timely, well understood, and useful for decision-making.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

You will create clear ownership for accounting execution, improve close discipline and reporting quality, reduce key-person dependency, and enable stronger focus on margin, working capital, process improvement, and business partnership.

About Schunk Carbon Technology

Schunk Carbon Technology manufactures electrical assemblies and components used in a wide range of electrical and mechanical applications. Our Menomonee Falls operation has more than 95 employees and operates as part of the Schunk Group, a privately held global organization headquartered in Germany with diverse operations across 26 countries.

Key Responsibilities

• Accounting leadership and team development: Lead, coach, and develop the accounting team responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, banking, credit and collections, and cost accounting. Establish clear ownership, cross-training, accountability, and effective backup coverage.
• Month-end close and financial reporting: Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, including the close calendar, journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, account analysis, and completion discipline. Deliver accurate and timely financial reporting to local management and Group Controlling.
• General ledger and financial integrity: Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and ensure financial transactions are recorded completely, accurately, and consistently. Review balance-sheet reconciliations and investigate unusual items or accounting issues.
• Cost accounting leadership and manufacturing insight: Lead and support the Senior Cost Accountant in maintaining accurate standard costs, inventory accounting, variance analysis, and proposal costing activities. Review cost information for accuracy, identify opportunities for improvement, and collaborate with operations to enhance cost visibility, manufacturing performance, and business decision-making.
• Budgeting, planning, and analysis: Coordinate and prepare annual and periodic budgets for the income statement, balance sheet, cash requirements, and capital equipment. Analyze results against budget and explain material revenue, cost, and expense variances.
• Controls, compliance, tax, and audit: Maintain effective accounting controls and documentation. Coordinate financial audits and support tax, statutory, financial, and legal reporting requirements applicable to SCT-US.
• Cash, banking, and working capital support: Oversee day-to-day cash management and banking activities. Support disciplined management of receivables, collections, payables, inventory, and other working-capital drivers.
• Management partnership and communication: Translate financial results into clear, decision-useful insights for management. Present P&L performance, trends, risks, and emerging issues in a concise and practical manner.
• Systems and process improvement: Use SAP, Excel, and other business tools to improve data quality, standardize workflows, reduce manual follow-up, strengthen reporting, and increase the efficiency and scalability of the accounting function.
• Special projects: Lead or support cross-functional finance and business improvement initiatives as assigned.

What Success Looks Like

• A consistent, on-time close with clear ownership, strong reconciliations, and fewer last-minute escalations.
• Accurate, well-supported financial statements and management reporting that highlight material issues and business drivers.
• Improved documentation, controls, cross-training, and continuity across the accounting team.
• A strong partnership with the Director of Finance & Administration, with routine accounting execution owned by the Controller and material exceptions escalated promptly.
• Practical improvements in SAP-enabled processes, reporting, and follow-up that reduce manual effort and increase transparency.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
• At least 8 years of progressive accounting experience, including accounting management in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of general accounting, financial reporting, month-end close, internal controls, and cost accounting.
• Hands-on experience with standard cost systems, development of cost standards, inventory accounting, variance analysis, and costing for new proposals.
• Senior-level experience coordinating or supporting financial audits.
• Current working knowledge of applicable federal and state accounting and tax requirements.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel and strong experience using ERP and Microsoft tools.
• Demonstrated ability to lead people, communicate clearly, build productive relationships, and manage priorities in a hands-on environment.

Preferred

• CPA or MBA.
• SAP experience.
• Experience working in a global or multilingual organization.

Leadership Profile

• Ownership mindset with a high standard for accuracy, timeliness, and follow-through.
• Balanced approach: willing to work in the details while building stronger processes and team capability.
• Curious, analytical, and able to connect accounting results to operational performance.
• Calm and organized under deadline pressure, with sound judgment on when to resolve, delegate, or escalating.
• Collaborative communicator who can explain financial topics to both finance and non-finance colleagues.

Benefits and Total Compensation

Schunk Carbon Technology offers a competitive employment package designed to support employees and their families:

• Three formal bonus programs
• Generous PTO plan and paid holidays
• 401(k) plan with a company-provided contribution equal to 3% of salary, paid bi-weekly and 100% vested immediately
• Health, dental, and vision insurance plus a Flexible Spending Account program
• Company-paid benefits including short- and long-term disability and life/AD&D insurance for the employee and every family member