Controller

Forge Search; South Carolina; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Forge Search partners with a growing, private equity-backed manufacturer to hire a Controller who will lead accounting and financial operations during a critical transformation. Reporting to the CEO, the Controller will oversee financial reporting, planning, internal controls, and close processes while partnering with leadership, lenders, auditors, and the Board.

This hands-on leader will strengthen financial processes, improve visibility into performance, and partner with operations to support

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive finance leadership experience, including 5 years in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead all finance, accounting, treasury, and financial planning functions.
• Develop long-term financial strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Provide financial insight to support operational and strategic decisions.
• Build scalable financial processes to support acquisitions and growth.
• Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and long-range planning.
• Improve forecasting accuracy and financial visibility.
• Deliver timely analysis of financial and operational performance.
• Coordinate external audits and tax activities.
• Partner with IT and Operations on ERP optimization.

Skills

Leadership

GAAP knowledge

Financial planning & analysis

Cost accounting

ERP implementation/optimization

Board reporting

Cash flow forecasting

Financial controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA

MBA (preferred)

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

We are partnering with a growing, private equity-backed manufacturer looking for a Controller to lead its accounting and financial operations during an important period of transformation and growth.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this role will oversee financial reporting, planning, and operational finance while serving as a key partner to the leadership team. The Controller will also interact regularly with private equity ownership, lenders, auditors, and the Board.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who can strengthen financial processes and controls, improve visibility into business performance, and partner closely with operations to support profitable growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & FUNCTIONS:

• Lead all finance, accounting, treasury, and financial planning functions.
• Develop long‑term financial strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Provide financial insight that supports operational and strategic decision‑making.
• Build scalable financial processes to support future acquisitions and enterprise growth.
• Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and long‑range planning.
• Improve forecasting accuracy and financial visibility.
• Deliver timely analysis of financial and operational performance.
• Lead all manufacturing cost accounting activities.
• Own weekly cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Prepare Board‑level financial presentations and private equity reporting packages.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and company policies.
• Coordinate external audits and tax activities.
• Partner with IT and Operations on ERP optimization.
• Foster accountability, urgency, and continuous improvement on the accounting team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive finance leadership experience, including 5 years leading finance within a manufacturing organization.
• Experience in a private equity-backed company.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting and inventory accounting.
• Demonstrated success improving operational financial performance.
• Experience with SAP required.
• Experience implementing or optimizing ERP systems required.
• Experience presenting to executive leadership, Boards of Directors, and investors.