Controller

Freshpack; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KPI bonus

EBITDA bonus

Equity bonus

Medical insurance

Life insurance

Dental & Vision

401(k)

Referral program

Performance pay

Weekly pay

Job summary

Freshpack, a growing cheese packaging company with 280+ employees, is seeking a Controller to lead the Finance function and partner with the President & CEO. You will drive financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow, and internal controls while expanding beyond traditional accounting duties to influence company leadership.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, manufacturing or cost accounting knowledge, and strong communication skills to translate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Experience in Controller/Assistant Controller roles.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, GAAP, internal controls.
• Manufacturing experience preferred; inventory and cost accounting preferred.
• CPA or public accounting experience preferred but not required.
• Experience with ERP systems and improving financial processes and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company's accounting and finance function.
• Oversee financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Develop reporting around labor, inventory, productivity, margins, and performance.
• Partner with operational leaders to improve profitability and efficiency.
• Lead and develop the Accounting Supervisor and HR Supervisor.

Skills

Financial leadership

GAAP knowledge

Financial analysis

Cost accounting

Inventory management

ERP systems

Communication skills

Team leadership

Financial reporting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Description

Looking for the opportunity to lead today and grow into more tomorrow? At Freshpack, you'll oversee finance and HR leadership, partner with operational teams across the business, and play a key role in shaping the company's future.

We have an opening for a Controller to join our team. Freshpack is seeking an experienced Controller to lead our Finance function and provide strategic oversight to Human Resources. This is a key leadership role that partners directly with the President & CEO and works closely with operational leaders across the organization. The ideal candidate is a hands-on financial leader who can maintain a strong accounting foundation while helping drive business performance, operational improvements, and informed decision-making. As Freshpack continues to grow, this role offers the opportunity to expand beyond traditional accounting responsibilities and play an increasingly influential role in company leadership.

Freshpack is a custom cheese packaging company that develops and innovates cheese products and packaging. Our products can be found in all 50 states and in most major retailers. Over the past 25 years, our team has grown from 15 to 280+ employees. It is an exciting time to join our team, as we are poised for substantial growth over the next 3-5 years.

Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Lead the company's accounting and finance function.
• Oversee financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Review monthly and annual financial statements and ensure financial accuracy.
• Maintain strong internal controls and financial processes.
• Coordinate audit, tax, insurance, and banking activities.
• Manage lender relationships, debt compliance, and covenant reporting.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to company leadership.

Business Partnership

• Partner with operational leaders to improve profitability, efficiency, and decision-making.
• Develop meaningful reporting around labor, inventory, productivity, margins, and overall business performance.
• Support pricing strategy, capital investments, and growth initiatives.
• Help translate financial information into actionable insights for non-financial leaders.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop the Accounting Supervisor and HR Supervisor.
• Strengthen organizational capabilities within Finance and Human Resources.
• Build scalable processes and systems to support future growth.
• Foster collaboration across departments and functions.

Human Resources Oversight

• Provide leadership and support to the HR function.
• Partner with HR leadership on compensation, benefits, workforce planning, and employee development initiatives.
• Ensure appropriate controls and processes related to payroll, benefits, and employee-related costs.
• Support continued development of HR systems, reporting, and organizational practices.

Direct Reports

• Accounting Supervisor
• HR Supervisor

Indirect Reports

• Accountant
• Staff Accountant
• Inventory Control Specialists (2)
• Training & Development Specialist
• HR Generalist/Payroll & Recruiting Specialist

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Previous Controller, Assistant Controller or comparable financial leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, GAAP, internal controls and accounting processes.
• Manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with inventory and cost accounting strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop people.
• Strong financial analysis and business decision-support capabilities.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to operational and executive audiences.
• Experience overseeing or supporting Human Resources functions is preferred.
• CPA and/or public accounting experience preferred but not required.li>
• Experience working with ERP systems and improving financial processes and reporting.

Benefits

• Annual KPI bonus opportunity of up to 10% of base salary, paid quarterly
• EBITDA bonus opportunity
• Equity bonus opportunity
• Medical, dental, vision, company-provided life insurance & more!
• Referral program
• 401(k) program
• Pay for Performance program
• Get paid every Friday!

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Typical work schedule: M-F during standard business hours.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to walk or stand for long periods of time while on production floor and warehouse.