Controller
Cleveland, OH
150,000-175,000
We are looking for a Controller who thinks like a business partner, operates with a builder’s
mindset, and is energized by the complexity of a growing specialty manufacturer. You will
work closely with a strong, experienced CFO and a sharp, fast-moving leadership team. For
the right person, this role offers a genuine and meaningful growth trajectory within the
finance function.
Controller Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain a rigorous cost accounting framework appropriate for a specialty materials manufacturer — standard costing, variance analysis, margin by product/customer/channel
- Partner with operations to build visibility into true cost of production, materials utilization, and manufacturing efficiency
- Translate cost data into insights leadership can act on FP&A & Financial Reporting
- Own the monthly close process and deliver timely, accurate financial reporting to the CFO and senior leadership
- Build out forecasting and budgeting capabilities that support faster, better decisions as the business scales
- Develop KPI dashboards and financial models that connect operational drivers to financial outcomes
- Ensure a strong internal controls environment appropriate for a privately held company preparing to grow
- Partner with the CFO on cash flow management, working capital optimization, and banking relationships
- Support external audit, tax compliance, and any regulatory requirements relevant to the business
- Work within and help develop a small, structured finance team (4–6 people)
- Leverage existing ERP capabilities (SAP/Oracle) and identify opportunities to use
systems more effectively as the business scales
Controller Requirements
- A track record in manufacturing finance — you understand how product gets made and how that translates to cost, margin, and cash
- Strong technical accounting skills with the judgment to know when precision matters and when speed does
- Experience building or significantly improving cost accounting and/or FP&A capabilities
- Comfort operating in a fast-paced environment
- A communicator who can translate financial complexity into clear, actionable language for operators and executives
- CPA preferred; bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; advanced degree a plus but not required
- Experience in specialty materials, chemicals, engineered products, or adjacent manufacturing strongly preferred
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