Controller

Selby Jennings; Teaneck Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings is seeking a senior finance leader for a manufacturing client in New Jersey. The role leads cost accounting, FP&A, and inventory accounting across North American operations, partnering with operations and sales to drive profitability.

You will also liaise with U.S. and Japanese stakeholders, deliver planning, performance reporting, and strategic analyses to support executive decisions, with occasional travel to Kentucky.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 7+ years in manufacturing finance with cost accounting and FP&A.
• Fluent in English and Japanese; strong communication.
• CPA/CMA/MBA preferred.
• Willingness to travel NJ–KY as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost accounting across product costing, inventory valuation, standard costs, and variance analysis.
• Monitor manufacturing cost drivers including labor, material, overhead, and purchasing.
• Oversee inventory accounting, cycle counts, physical inventories, and reserves.
• Partner with operations, supply chain, and sales to improve profitability.
• Drive budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and long-range planning.
• Deliver meaningful financial analysis and management reporting for decision-making.
• Consolidate results for North American operations and report to exec leadership and HQ.
• Act as liaison between U.S. and Japanese stakeholders on financial performance and initiatives.
• Develop and enhance planning, reporting, and performance management processes.
• Lead finance staff and promote cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Cost accounting

FP&A

Budgeting and forecasting

Analytical skills

Business partnering

Communication skills

Advanced Excel

ERP systems

English & Japanese fluency

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA/CMA/MBA

Tools

SAP

Oracle ERP

Hyperion/Planning tools

Job description

Work Environment: Hybrid, 2-3 days in-office

***** Requirement: Must be Fluent in Japanese *****

About:

Our client is a leading global manufacturer with operations spanning multiple international markets. The organization develops specialized products and solutions for customers across technology, healthcare, industrial, and transportation sectors, while maintaining a strong focus on innovation, continuous improvement, and sustainable growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing cost accounting activities, including product costing, inventory valuation, standard costs, and variance analysis.
• Monitor manufacturing performance through analysis of labor, material, overhead, purchasing, and operational cost drivers.
• Oversee inventory accounting, cycle counts, physical inventories, reserves, and related financial reporting.
• Partner with operations, supply chain, and sales leadership to evaluate business performance and identify opportunities to improve profitability.
• Drive budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and long-range planning initiatives.
• Deliver meaningful financial analysis, management reporting, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
• Consolidate financial results across North American operations and prepare reporting packages for executive leadership and global headquarters.
• Act as a key liaison between U.S. and Japanese stakeholders, supporting effective communication of financial performance, forecasts, and business initiatives.
• Develop and enhance planning, reporting, and performance management processes.
• Lead and mentor finance staff while promoting accountability, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in cost accounting and FP&A, including standard costing, inventory accounting, variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Experience supporting complex organizations, preferably within a publicly traded manufacturing company.
• Strong analytical, business partnering, and communication skills, with the ability to translate operational performance into actionable financial insights.
• Professional fluency in both English and Japanese.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with ERP/accounting systems; manufacturing ERP experience is preferred.
• Prior experience within a multinational or Japanese-owned organization is a plus.
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities, process improvement initiatives, and cost optimization efforts is preferred.
• CPA, CMA, MBA, or other relevant professional certification preferred.
• Previous leadership experience and the ability to travel between New Jersey and Kentucky as needed.