Controller

LHH; North Brunswick Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH in New Jersey seeks a hands-on Controller to lead the accounting and finance function for a growing mid-sized food manufacturer. Reporting to the VP of Finance, you will partner with executives and drive strategic financial decisions while overseeing day-to-day operations at the plant level.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in accounting/finance within manufacturing, excels at building teams, improving processes, and delivering GAAP-compliant reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting and operational finance.
• Demonstrated FP&A experience including budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing accounting teams.
• ERP system experience; implementations or upgrades preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations including GL, AP/AR, invoicing, fixed assets, inventory, and lease accounting.
• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes with accuracy and timeliness.
• Prepare GAAP-compliant financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Develop executive reports, board packs, and performance commentary.
• Oversee KPI and dashboard reporting for inventory and working capital.
• Ensure compliance with banking covenants and internal policies.
• Coordinate external reviews, audits, tax support, and insurance reporting.
• Partner with VP of Finance to deliver financial analysis and strategic recommendations.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Guide talent development and build a scalable accounting organization.

Skills

FP&A

Leadership

Forecasting

Strategic partnering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP system

Excel advanced

Job description

Compensation: $145,000 – $170,000 Base Salary + Bonus

Work Schedule: 4 Days On-Site / 1 Day Remote

About the Opportunity

A growing, mid-sized food manufacturing organization with approximately 200 employees is seeking a hands‑on Controller to lead its accounting and finance function. This is a newly created position driven by company growth and increased operational complexity. Reporting directly to the VP of Finance, the Controller will serve as a strategic business partner while maintaining responsibility for the day‑to‑day accounting operations of the organization.

The ideal candidate will come from a manufacturing environment and have experience operating at the plant or site level rather than within a large corporate or global shared‑services structure. This role requires a leader who can assess talent, improve processes, mentor staff, and build a high‑performing accounting team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, fixed assets, inventory accounting, and lease accounting.
• Manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Prepare and review GAAP‑compliant financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Develop executive‑level financial reports, board reporting packages, and business performance commentary.
• Oversee weekly KPI and dashboard reporting, including inventory, working capital, and operational metrics.
• Ensure compliance with banking requirements, lending covenants, and internal financial policies.
• Coordinate external financial statement reviews, audits, tax support, and insurance‑related reporting.

FP&A & Business Partnership

• Partner closely with the VP of Finance and executive leadership team to provide financial analysis and strategic recommendations.
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and long‑range planning initiatives.
• Analyze operational performance, margins, inventory trends, and cost drivers to improve business results.
• Provide financial insight to help drive decision‑making across manufacturing, operations, and supply chain functions.
• Lead and develop a small accounting team including AP, AR, Staff Accounting, and related finance personnel.
• Evaluate organizational structure, identify talent gaps, and implement staffing improvements as needed.
• Coach, mentor, and develop employees while fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive succession planning and workforce development initiatives within the accounting function.

Process Improvement & Controls

• Strengthen internal controls and accounting procedures to support continued growth.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, reporting capabilities, and operational efficiency.
• Support ERP enhancements, system upgrades, and financial reporting automation initiatives.
• Document key accounting processes and establish best practices across the department.

Audit, Inventory & Risk Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors.
• Oversee inventory accounting and collaborate with operations to improve inventory controls and accuracy.
• Manage workers' compensation reporting, corporate insurance matters, and related compliance requirements.
• Ensure strong governance around financial and operational risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting, and operational finance.
• Demonstrated FP&A experience including budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing accounting teams.
• ERP system experience required; experience with system implementations or upgrades preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Preferred Background

• Experience supporting a growing middle‑market organization.
• Proven ability to build processes, upgrade talent, and create scalable financial infrastructure.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership and ownership.

What Makes This Opportunity Attractive?

• Newly created leadership role with significant visibility to executive management.
• Ability to make an immediate impact by building processes, enhancing reporting, and developing talent.
• Growth‑oriented company investing in its finance infrastructure.
• Broad exposure across accounting, FP&A, operations, and strategic decision‑making.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers