Manufacturing Controller — Hybrid, PE-Backed, Growth

Gilder Search Group; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus Opportunity

Management Equity Incentive Program

Job summary

Gilder Search Group seeks a hands-on Corporate Controller to lead the finance and accounting function in a manufacturing environment. Reporting to the CEO, you will own the close process, reporting, budgeting, cash flow and internal controls, while partnering with PE sponsors and lenders.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in finance, manufacturing experience, and strong GAAP knowledge, with proven ability to drive improvements in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Prior Controller-level experience including at least 1 year in a Controller role.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• 6+ years of manufacturing industry experience with cost structures, inventory and COGS.
• Experience with operations leadership and using financial data for decisions.
• Experience in a private equity‑backed environment with reporting to executives.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, general ledger and internal controls.
• Hands‑on month‑end/year‑end close, AR/AP, audits, budgeting and cash flow forecasting.
• Strong Excel skills including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, IF, and analysis.
• Identify process gaps and implement improvements independently.
• Hands-on in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting and finance function and manage the Finance Department and team.
• Own the general ledger, month-end and year-end close, financial reporting and reconciliations.
• Oversee manufacturing cost accounting and COGS analysis.
• Manage inventory valuation and reconciliation across materials and finished goods.
• Develop and maintain internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning and variance analysis.
• Prepare and present financial reporting to CEO, PE sponsors, lenders, and senior leadership.
• Manage bank covenant compliance and lender reporting.
• Oversee multi-entity accounting, consolidations and intercompany reconciliations.
• Oversee AP/AR and payroll oversight where needed.
• Partner with operations and sales on margin analysis, labor costs, production performance, pricing and profitability.
• Ensure ASC 606 revenue recognition compliance and tax compliance.
• Serve as finance contact for auditors, tax advisors, and lenders.
• Develop dashboards and KPIs for production, shipments, labor, margins and performance.
• Evaluate capital expenditures and vendor financing; assist due diligence and integration as needed.
• Support ERP optimization, implementation and scale initiatives.
• Build and improve processes to sustain growth and acquisitions.

Skills

Controller leadership

GAAP knowledge

Financial analysis

Excel skills

Operations collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA, CGMA, and/or MBA preferred

Tools

Acumatica ERP

QuickBooks Enterprise

Avalara

Job description

Gilder Search Group seeks a hands-on Corporate Controller to lead the finance and accounting function in a manufacturing environment. Reporting to the CEO, you will own the close process, reporting, budgeting, cash flow and internal controls, while partnering with PE sponsors and lenders.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in finance, manufacturing experience, and strong GAAP knowledge, with proven ability to drive improvements in a fast-paced setting.