Manufacturing Controller

Upside Search; Mount Vernon (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Yearly sabbatical benefit

Job summary

Upside Search is seeking a Controller to head Finance & Accounting for a Central Ohio manufacturer. This hands‑on leader reports to the President and partners with Operations on cost, performance, and growth initiatives.

You will oversee monthly closes, GAAP compliance, and audits while guiding capital decisions and a small finance team. You will drive budgeting, forecasting, and cash management, delivering timely financial analysis to senior leadership and supporting strategic investments to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 4+ years of accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong manufacturing cost accounting experience, including standard costing and inventory accounting.
• Hands-on in accounting with ability to manage both strategic and day-to-day needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company's overall accounting and finance function, including monthly and year-end close, general ledger management, and financial reporting.
• Prepare accurate financial statements and ensure accounting practices remain GAAP-compliant and with internal controls.
• Own manufacturing cost accounting, including standard costs, inventory valuation, and analysis of variances.
• Partner with Operations to understand costs, performance, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting with ongoing financial analysis to support decisions.
• Manage cash flow planning, banking relationships, and other treasury activities.
• Coordinate audits and year-end reporting, acting as the primary contact for auditors and partners.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations on capital investments and major business decisions.
• Develop and report key financial and operational performance metrics to the executive team.
• Maintain strong financial controls and segregation of duties across the organization.
• Lead and coach a small finance team with cross-functional support.
• Serve as a strategic financial partner to the President and leadership team.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

Job description

Summary:

Our client is an established, privately held manufacturer based in Central Ohio. They produce highly engineered components used by customers across a variety of industries. With a smaller, close-knit team and a growing business, the organization offers employees the opportunity to work cross-functionally and make a visible impact on the company's success.

TheControllerwill serve as the head of Finance & Accounting for the organization, reporting directly to the President and operating as a key member of the executive leadership team. This is a hands‑on leadership position responsible for overseeing the company's accounting operations. This individual will work closely with company leadership and Operations to analyze performance, improve decision‑making, and help guide the continued growth of the business.

Why Consider This Opportunity?:

1. Seat at the Table: Serve as the company's senior Finance & Accounting leader and work directly with the President and executive team on key business decisions.
2. Make a Visible Impact: Join a smaller organization where your ideas, financial insight, and leadership can directly influence the performance and future direction of the company.
3. Partner with the Business: Work closely with Operations and leadership to understand manufacturing performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and support strategic decision‑making.
4. YEARLY Sabbatical Benefit:In addition to traditional PTO, employees receive a yearly sabbatical benefit- one additional week in Year 1, two weeks in Year 2, and three additional weeks annually beginning in Year 3.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the company's overall accounting and finance function, including monthly and year-end close, general ledger management, and financial reporting.
• Prepare accurate financial statements and ensure accounting practices remain consistent with GAAP and internal control requirements.
• Own manufacturing cost accounting, including standard costs, inventory valuation, and analysis of labor, overhead, purchase price, scrap, and other manufacturing variances.
• Partner closely with Operations to better understand manufacturing costs, financial performance, and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process while providing ongoing financial analysis to support business decisions.
• Manage cash flow planning, customer credit, banking relationships, and other treasury-related activities.
• Coordinate annual audits and year-end reporting while serving as the primary point of contact for external auditors and accounting partners.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations related to capital investments and other significant business decisions.
• Develop and report key financial and operational performance metrics to the executive leadership team.
• Maintain strong financial controls, processes, and appropriate segregation of duties across the organization.
• Lead, coach, and develop a small team while providing direction, accountability, and cross‑functional support.
• Serve as a strategic financial partner to the President and executive team, providing insight that helps guide the long‑term direction of the business.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 4+ years of accounting experience within manufacturing environment
• Strong manufacturing cost accounting experience, including standard costing and inventory accounting.
• Ability to operate in a hands‑on environment and manage both higher‑level financial responsibilities and day‑to‑day accounting needs.