Area Controller
HybridDeKalb, Illinois, United States
Job Summary
Lead the accounting and financial reporting activities for eight manufacturing plants across four geographic locations, ensuring timely monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes. Review financial results, investigate variances, and communicate key business drivers to operational and financial leadership. Oversee plant-level cost accounting, inventory valuation, and working capital performance while maintaining strict internal controls and GAAP compliance. Coordinate annual budgeting, periodic forecasts, and support the upcoming ERP implementation by defining requirements, validating system design, and leading data validation and user acceptance testing. Partner with plant leadership to develop financial plans, monitor performance, and support strategic initiatives. Mentor accounting team members and standardize practices across locations.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- At least five years of progressive accounting or financial management experience
- Experience supporting manufacturing operations, including cost accounting, inventory accounting, and operational variance analysis
- Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, and forecasting
- Demonstrated ability to analyze financial and operational information and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Experience working with enterprise resource planning and financial reporting systems
- The ability to travel periodically to supported plant locations
- CPA or CMA certification
- Experience in a multi-site manufacturing environment
- Experience with financial system implementations, business integrations, or acquisition-related activities
- Familiarity with continuous-improvement methodologies and manufacturing performance metrics
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships across multiple locations and functional areas
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate financial information to nonfinancial stakeholders
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- A high level of accuracy, accountability, sound judgment, and professional integrity
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, OneStream, or IQMS/DELMIAWorks
- Prior involvement in an ERP implementation, upgrade, or business-process transformation
- Experience leading process-improvement or change-management initiatives
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