Lean Controller

Description

Who Are We?

We build seriously strong industrial storage solutions that outlast the toughest environments—and relationships that stand the test of time! We are a successful, American-made manufacturing company with decades of steady growth, producing heavy-duty workstations and workspace solutions right here in the USA. Our team is passionate about quality craftsmanship, hard work, and supporting each other every day.

We Are Not

• Fancy: We focus on practical, clean, no-nonsense facilities.
• Transactional: We invest in long-term careers and lasting partnerships.
• Satisfied: We celebrate wins, then immediately chase the next level of improvement.

What We’re Looking For

We are searching for a high-energy, hands-on Controller to own the financial heartbeat of our operations during a pivotal growth. This is a unique "hybrid" leadership role: you will lead and professionalize our existing traditional finance team and processes, ensuring bulletproof GAAP compliance and reporting, while simultaneously partnering with the VP of Finance to transition the organization toward Lean Accounting and Value Stream Costing.

You will serve as both a financial steward and a Lean business partner, helping the organization bridge the gap between traditional oversight and a streamlined, value-focused future.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Team Management

• Lead the Daily Heartbeat: Manage the finance and accounting team with a winning mindset, overseeing receivables & payables, month-end close, financial reporting, and the accurate preparation of balance sheets and income statements.
• Develop the Team: Coach and mentor a diverse finance team to increase their understanding of Lean concepts.
• Maintain Integrity: Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial reporting in accordance with GAAP and maintain strong internal controls while minimizing unnecessary bureaucracy.

Lean Accounting Transformation

• Bridge the Gap: While maintaining current reporting, work with the VP of Finance to implement Lean accounting practices that simplify reporting and eliminate non-value-added activities.
• Transition to Value Streams: Assist in transitioning financial reporting to value stream-based income statements, providing visual information that enables frontline leaders to make better decisions.
• Eliminate Waste: Identify bottlenecks and "waste" in existing finance processes—such as excessive manual transactions or complex reconciliations—and implement automation or AI-driven tools to boost speed.

Systems & Business Partnership

• ERP Optimization: Maximize our ERP system (Dynamics GP or similar) to fuel better decision-making in our fast-moving production world.
• Operational Partnership: Work side-by-side with manufacturing and supply chain leaders to shift focus away from traditional cost accounting - viewing it as a necessary but low-value accounting exercise—while aggressively solving production-level issues in BOMs, inventory management, and manufacturing orders that drive financial variances and reconciliations.
• Data-Backed Insights: Provide "no-fluff" recommendations on costs, inventory, and profitability to support rapid growth and operational agility.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA or CMA strongly preferred.
• Experience: 8+ years of progressive accounting leadership, including at least 3 years managing direct reports within a manufacturing environment.
• Technical Depth: Deep expertise in inventory management, GAAP compliance, and heavy ERP usage. (We use MS Dynamics, if you don’t know it, you’ll have to learn it fast).
• Lean Exposure: Proven experience with Lean, continuous improvement, or operational excellence initiatives. Experience transitioning an organization away from traditional standard costing is highly desirable.
• Adaptability: A self-starter who can juggle high-stakes priorities (like capital projects and audits) while independently researching and implementing fixes in a high-velocity setting.
• Modern Toolset: Proficiency in leveraging AI/automation, advanced Excel, or data visualization tools (like Power BI) to uncover insights faster.

Key Competencies

• Lean Financial Thinking: A focus on process simplicity, transparency, and the elimination of waste.
• Leadership & Influence: The ability to guide diverse teams and influence operations and engineering leaders.
• Systems Thinking: Understanding how financial metrics reinforce Lean behaviors like reducing lead time and improving flow.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual reviews and performance-based bonuses.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Company-paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid time off for vacation, holidays, and personal days.

Influence and impact. Bring your ideas on how to manage the financial and operational aspects of a medium-sized manufacturer to life. You will report to an experienced VP of Finance and Administration who is determined to transform business processes and a President willing to provide the resources to do it. Without the transformation you will lead, the company will not be able to meet its growth goals. You will matter at our company!