A Controller directs and oversees the treasury of a government, private corporation or non-profit organization, and may oversee the investment of funds. Supervises the quality of accounting and financial reporting within an organization, and directs preparation of reports that show the financial position of an organization.
This is a rare opportunity to build the finance function inside a fast-growing, privately held innovator in the liquid food and beverage manufacturing space. Our client is a technology-driven, vertically integrated contract manufacturer and store-brand supplier that has grown from a single-product beginning into a diversified, multi-category operation — and they're just getting started. Founded and led by a scientist-entrepreneur, the company is now expanding into new product categories and manufacturing capabilities that few competitors nationally can match. As they scale, they need a Finance Leader who can be both a strategic partner to ownership and hands-on enough to stay close to the numbers on the plant floor. This role will own financial planning, reporting, and cost accounting across the organization, working shoulder-to-shoulder with operations, supply chain, and sales leadership. If you thrive in a business that moves fast, sometimes pivots on short notice, and wants a true partner — not just a scorekeeper — this is the seat for you. Why this role? Build and shape the finance function at a company in true growth mode, with visible, lasting impact Partner directly with ownership and operating leadership as a trusted strategic advisor, not just a back-office function Join a business entering new product categories and manufacturing capabilities that set it apart in its industry Competitive compensation, a collaborative culture, and real influence over how the finance organization is built
Responsibilities:
Own financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning for the organization Lead monthly close, financial reporting, and communications with executive leadership and ownership Partner with operations on cost accounting, plant-level P&Ls, yield analysis, and COGS management across multiple production lines Collaborate in real time with supply chain and operations on costing — not waiting for month-end to surface issues Manage cash flow, working capital, and banking/lender relationships Oversee treasury, tax, audit, and compliance functions, including managing the annual audit and outside advisor relationships Build financial models to support pricing decisions, customer profitability, and capacity investments Lead commodity and input cost risk management for key raw materials and packaging Partner cross-functionally with sales and pricing teams to support commercial decision-making Develop and mentor a growing finance and accounting team; upgrade systems, processes, and talent as the business scales Simplify and strengthen accounting processes, and align the organization around consistent definitions of margin, revenue, and cost Get out of the office and onto the production floor — this leader stays close to the business, not just the spreadsheets
Required Qualifications:
10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, ideally including manufacturing environments Strong expertise in cost accounting and manufacturing finance in a high-volume, continuous production setting Familiarity with private-label, co-manufacturing, or contract manufacturing economics, customer pricing, and deductions management preferred Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred Strong technical accounting foundation (GAAP) paired with commercial and operational instincts Experience with modern ERP and FP&A systems and tools Proven ability to manage budgets, lead audits, and build financial models that support pricing and investment decisions Excellent communicator who can translate financial complexity for non-finance leaders and ownership Comfortable operating in a dynamic, occasionally ambiguous environment that moves and pivots quickly
