Senior Controller

Melds; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Melds is seeking a Senior Controller to lead financial operations for our Asheville extrusion facility. You will drive reporting, budgeting, costing, inventory controls, and profitability analysis while partnering with the Plant Manager and operations leadership.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on manufacturing finance experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to translate financial results into actionable plans to improve profitability and productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA or CMA preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience in manufacturing or industrial plant.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting, inventory management, financial reporting, and accounting principles.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, profitability analysis, and financial modeling.
• Ability to partner with operations and translate financial results into actionable plans.
• Experience with inventory controls, physical inventories, and cycle-count programs.
• Understanding of demand planning, production planning, capacity, and operational KPIs preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP, accounting software, and financial management systems.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• Hands-on, proactive approach with willingness to work directly with plant operations.

Responsibilities

• Execute and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls for accurate reporting.
• Lead preparation and analysis of financial statements and provide insights for decision-making.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and financial models to track performance and profitability.
• Partner with Plant Manager and operations to develop action plans and accountability.
• Provide manufacturing cost accounting leadership, including standard costing and variance analysis.
• Oversee inventory accounting, cycle counts, and reserves.
• Analyze profitability, KPIs, and financial drivers for improvement.
• Collaborate with demand planning, production, and operations on financial impact.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and manage relations with auditors and tax authorities.
• Produce regular financial reports and actionable insights for leadership.
• continuously improve financial systems, processes, and controls.

Skills

Manufacturing cost accounting

Inventory management

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Profitability analysis

Financial modeling

GAAP knowledge

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or CMA certification preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Financial management software

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Controller to lead financial operations for our extrusion manufacturing facility in Asheville, NC. The Senior Controller will be responsible for financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cost accounting, inventory management, profitability analysis, and financial controls while serving as a key business partner to the Plant Manager and operations leadership.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing finance professional who is comfortable working in the plant and translating financial results into actionable operational plans. This individual will help drive profitability, productivity, and continuous improvement while supporting a rapidly growing business.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Execute and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accurate and reliable financial reporting.
• Lead the preparation and analysis of financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, and provide insight to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Prepare and analyze budgets, forecasts, and financial models to track performance, control expenses, and identify opportunities for improved profitability.
• Partner closely with the Plant Manager and operations leadership to understand financial and operational performance, develop action plans, and drive accountability for results.
• Provide manufacturing cost accounting leadership, including standard costing, variance analysis, labor and material costs, overhead, scrap, yield, and productivity.
• Oversee inventory accounting and controls, including inventory accuracy, cycle counts, physical inventories, reserves, and inventory performance.
• Analyze profitability, operational KPIs, and key financial drivers to identify trends, risks, cost-reduction opportunities, and areas for operational improvement.
• Partner with demand planning, production, and operations teams to evaluate volume, capacity, production requirements, and their financial impact.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting and tax regulations, including GAAP and statutory requirements, and manage relationships with external auditors and tax authorities.
• Maintain financial performance metrics and KPIs, producing regular financial reports and actionable insights for plant and corporate leadership.
• Continuously evaluate and improve financial systems, processes, and controls to increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Provide financial analysis and reporting to support capital investment decisions, cost analysis, pricing, and long-term financial planning.
• Support the financial integration and ongoing management of future acquisitions as the organization continues to grow.
• Serve as a trusted financial advisor to plant leadership while helping build a culture of financial accountability throughout the operation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; a CPA or CMA certification is preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, with significant experience in a manufacturing or industrial plant environment.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting, inventory management, financial reporting, and accounting principles.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, profitability analysis, and financial modeling.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with operations and translate financial results into actionable plans.
• Experience with inventory controls, physical inventories, and cycle-count programs.
• Understanding of demand planning, production planning, capacity, and operational KPIs is preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP, accounting software, and financial management systems.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex financial and operational data.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Hands-on, proactive approach with the ability and willingness to work directly with plant operations.
• Highly motivated, adaptable, and interested in growing with a rapidly expanding organization.
• Detail-oriented and organized with a strong commitment to accuracy and data integrity.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Company Details:

• This position will report to the Corporate Controller

Melds is an equal opportunity employer. The Statements used herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by an employee in this position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.