Division Controller

Green Bay Packaging Inc.; Town of Wausau (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Prescription drug coverage

Wellness programs

Long-term disability

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Green Bay Packaging Inc. seeks a Division Controller to lead financial strategy for the division, partnering with the General Manager, Sales and Operations to improve profitability and performance.

The role oversees accounting, payroll, AP/AR, and IT functions, and applies cost accounting to manufacturing, budget, forecasting, and capital investments, driving actionable insights and cross-functional collaboration. Requires 5–10 years in manufacturing finance with CPA/CMA/MBA preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA/CMA/MBA preferred.
• 5–10 years of progressive accounting and financial leadership in manufacturing.
• Strong cost accounting and inventory accounting expertise.
• Experience leading AP, AR, payroll, and related functions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor to General Manager and division leadership.
• Develop understanding of division operations, customers, products and market.
• Analyze financial impact of operations, sales, pricing and capital decisions.
• Partner with Sales and Operations to identify margin improvement and growth opportunities.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning.
• Oversee accounting activities including GL, month-end close, and financial reporting.
• Manage AP, AR, payroll, and other transactional functions and controls.
• Support IT initiatives and ensure systems support division objectives.

Skills

Financial leadership

Cost accounting

Manufacturing operations

Forecasting

Financial analysis

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Financial reporting tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Division Controller serves as a key member of the division leadership team and partners closely with the General Manager, Sales, Operations, and other functional leaders to drive business performance and profitable growth. This position provides financial leadership, operational insight, and strategic decision support while ensuring the integrity of accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and local information technology functions.

The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of manufacturing operations and cost accounting, enabling them to translate operational activities into meaningful financial insights. This role requires an individual who can communicate complex financial information in a practical business-oriented manner and influence decisions across all levels of the organization.

While accurate and efficient accounting processes are foundational to success, the primary value of this position is helping the business improve profitability, productivity, and long-term performance through effective financial partnership and leadership.

Responsibilities

Business Partnership & Financial Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the General Manager and division leadership team.
• Develop a deep understanding of the division's operations, customers, products, and market dynamics.
• Analyze and explain the financial impact of operational, sales, pricing, productivity, and capital investment decisions.
• Partner with Sales and Operations leaders to identify opportunities for margin improvement, cost reduction, and profitable growth.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations that support strategic and day-to-day business decisions.
• Communicate financial results and trends in clear business terms that are meaningful to non-financial leaders.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning processes.
• Monitor key operational and financial performance metrics and help drive accountability for results.
• Participate in capital project evaluations and investment decisions through financial analysis and business case development.

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Analysis

• Maintain and continuously improve product costing methodologies and cost accounting processes.
• Analyze manufacturing variances related to material, labor, overhead, waste, productivity, and inventory.
• Partner with plant leadership to understand operational drivers impacting profitability.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and manufacturing cost reporting.
• Develop insights that support pricing decisions, product profitability analysis, and operational improvement initiatives.

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Direct all accounting activities, including general ledger, month-end close, financial reporting, fixed assets, and internal controls.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly financial statements and management reports.
• Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and other transactional accounting functions.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.

Information Technology Leadership

• Support local technology initiatives and system implementations.
• Help prioritize technology investments that improve productivity, reporting, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure business processes and systems effectively support division objectives.
• Develop and mentor accounting, payroll, and administrative team members.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and customer service.
• Build strong working relationships throughout the organization.

All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.

Experience

• 5-10 years of progressive accounting and financial leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting plant operations and manufacturing leadership teams.
• Strong cost accounting and inventory accounting expertise required.
• Experience leading accounting, AP, AR, payroll, and related administrative functions.
• Experience participating in operational improvement and cross-functional business initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations and cost accounting principles.
• Ability to connect operational drivers to financial outcomes and business performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial audiences in practical business terms.
• Strong business acumen and commercial awareness.
• Proven ability to influence decisions and build credibility across all levels of an organization.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, financial reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.

In addition to a competitive wage, the selected candidate will enjoy a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, wellness programs, LTD, life insurance, and company matching 401(k).

Company Overview

Started in 1933,Green Bay Packaging Inc.is a family-owned, vertically integrated company consisting of corrugated container plants, a folding carton facility, recycled and virgin containerboard mills, pressure-sensitive label roll stock plants, timberlands, a paper slitting operation, and a sawmill facility. Headquartered in Green Bay, WI, Green Bay Packaging Inc. employs over 5,000 team members and operates more than 40 facilities in 16 states. Green Bay Packaging is committed to innovative product development, sustainable forestry practices, and emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement. For more information, visit gbp.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.