Manufacturing Controller — PE-Backed Hands-on Finance Leader

The Keystone Distinction Group; Hermitage (Mercer County); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance (Short/Long Term)

401(k) Plan with Company Match

Paid Vacation and Holidays

Annual Bonus Opportunity

Management Equity Incentive Program

Job summary

The Keystone Distinction Group seeks a hands-on Corporate Controller to lead the finance and accounting function in a growing manufacturing environment backed by private equity. You will own financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow, internal controls, and close processes.

Reporting to the CEO, you will partner with operations leadership, drive cost accounting and inventory management, and develop dashboards for senior leadership.

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 operational decisions.
• Experience in a private equity-backed environment with reporting to executives and PE sponsors.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, general ledger accounting, and internal controls.
• Hands-on experience with month-end and year-end close, AR/AP, audit prep, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow forecasting.
• Strong Excel skills, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, IF functions, and financial analysis.
• Ability to identify process gaps and implement improvements independently.
• Willingness to operate 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 account reconciliation processes.
• Oversee manufacturing cost accounting and COGS analysis for accurate cost inputs across product lines.
• Manage inventory valuation and reconciliation (raw materials, work in progress, finished goods).
• Develop and maintain internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and variance analysis.
• Present financial reporting to the CEO, PE sponsors, lenders, and senior leadership.
• Manage bank covenant compliance and lender reporting.
• Oversee multi-entity accounting, consolidations, and intercompany reconciliations.
• Manage accounts payable/receivable and payroll oversight.
• Partner with operations and sales on margin analysis, labor costs, production performance, pricing, and profitability.
• Ensure revenue recognition under ASC 606 and multi-state tax compliance.
• Serve as primary contact for external auditors, tax advisors, and lenders.
• Develop dashboards and KPIs for production, shipments, labor, and margins.
• Evaluate capital expenditures and vendor financing arrangements.
• Support due diligence, financial analysis, and post-acquisition integration.
• Support ERP optimization and implementation as the business scales.
• Improve accounting processes to enable growth and acquisitions.

Skills

Controller experience

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Cash flow management

Operations collaboration

Excel proficiency

Budgeting and forecasting

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

CPA/CGMA/MBA preferred

Tools

Acumatica ERP

Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP)

Job description

The Keystone Distinction Group seeks a hands-on Corporate Controller to lead the finance and accounting function in a growing manufacturing environment backed by private equity. You will own financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow, internal controls, and close processes.

Reporting to the CEO, you will partner with operations leadership, drive cost accounting and inventory management, and develop dashboards for senior leadership.