Assistant Financial Controller

Grayson Search Partners; Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct impact on company strategy

Visibility into operations and expansion initiatives

Entrepreneurial environment with real autonomy

Job summary

A rapidly growing distribution company is seeking a hands-on Controller/CFO to lead financial strategy and operations. This hands-on role involves overseeing accounting, cash management, and financial reporting while partnering with operations to enhance profitability and efficiency. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of progressive finance experience, strong Excel skills, and a strategic mindset in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment. This position offers direct impact on company strategy and an entrepreneurial work environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive finance experience at the Controller, VP Finance, or CFO level.
• Proven ability to operate in a fast-moving, growth-oriented environment.
• High energy, self-directed, and comfortable building structure.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of financial strategy, planning, and analysis.
• Oversee full-cycle accounting, cash management, and financial reporting.
• Partner closely with operations to improve profitability and efficiency.

Skills

Financial modeling

Excel

Strategic thinking

Operational performance improvement

Cash management

Job description

A rapidly growing distribution company is seeking a hands-on, operational Controller/CFO to serve as the right hand to ownership/investment partners and C-Sute and lead the finance function through its next phase of growth.

This is not a “big corporate” CFO role.

This is a roll-up-your-sleeves, high-impact leadership opportunity inside a scaling, entrepreneurial business.

We’re looking for a finance leader who can operate at both the strategic and spreadsheet level — someone who sees the big picture but is just as comfortable building models, reconciling numbers, and driving accountability.

What You’ll Own

• Lead all aspects of financial strategy, planning, and analysis
• Oversee full-cycle accounting, cash management, forecasting, and financial reporting
• Serve as the right hand to ownership, supporting key business decisions with clear financial insight
• Build and maintain detailed financial models to drive pricing, margin analysis, and operational performance
• Implement scalable systems, processes, and internal controls
• Partner closely with operations to improve profitability, efficiency, and reporting accuracy
• Support growth initiatives including new customers, expanded services, and potential acquisitions

What We’re Looking For

• 10+ years of progressive finance experience (Controller, VP Finance, or CFO level)
• Strong command of Excel and financial modeling (must be hands-on)
• Experience in fulfillment, distribution, logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, or operationally complex businesses
• Proven ability to operate in a fast-moving, growth-oriented environment
• Experience working directly with ownership or founder-led companies
• High energy, self-directed, and comfortable building structure where it doesn’t yet exist
• Strategic thinker who is also execution-focused

Why This Role Is Compelling

• Direct impact on company strategy and growth
• Seat at the leadership table
• Opportunity to build and scale a finance function
• Visibility into operations, customers, and expansion initiatives
• Entrepreneurial environment with real autonomy