Controller | Manufacturing Accounting

Location: On site in Columbia, SC Metropolitan Area or London, Ontario

Schedule: Mon – Fri with some travel needed between sites

A growing family-owned manufacturer in the food and beverage space is building out its finance leadership bench and is hiring a hands-on Controller to help shape the next chapter of expansion. This is a highly visible role for someone who wants more than a traditional close and report position. The right leader will help strengthen financial operations, improve reporting discipline, support plant level decision making, and create the infrastructure needed for long term growth. This opportunity is especially attractive for someone who enjoys fast moving environments, values direct access to leadership, and wants a path toward broader executive responsibility over time.

What You Will Do

• Lead day-to-day accounting operations across general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll support, fixed assets, and cash activity.
• Own the monthly and annual close process, ensuring timely, accurate financial reporting across multiple entities.
• Oversee inventory accounting, valuation, reconciliations, and related controls within a manufacturing setting.
• Partner with plant and operational leaders to analyze manufacturing costs, variances, and trends that impact profitability.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and ongoing financial planning efforts that improve visibility for leadership.
• Establish and refine internal controls, standard operating procedures, and reporting workflows to support a scaling business.
• Coordinate audit preparation, tax support activities, and compliance reporting, including sales and use tax and payroll related requirements.
• Help optimize ERP usage and reporting tools to improve data quality, process consistency, and decision support.
• Deliver practical financial insights that connect accounting results to operational performance.
• Serve as a trusted finance partner in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where adaptability and ownership matter.

What You Bring

• Strong accounting leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Track record managing month end close, year-end close, and core accounting operations.
• Experience with inventory accounting, cost accounting concepts, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Exposure to multi-entity accounting structures and operationally focused finance work.
• Advanced Excel capability and comfort working within ERP systems.
• Ability to work cross functionally with operations, leadership, and external partners.
• Strong understanding of process improvement, internal controls, and financial reporting best practices.
• Experience in food and beverage, consumer products, packaging, or other inventory intensive manufacturing environments is highly attractive.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a plus.
• CMA or related professional credential is welcomed, but not required.

What Will Help You Stand Out

• You are hands on and willing to roll up your sleeves.
• You are comfortable in a growth environment where structure is still being built.
• You own mistakes, solve problems quickly, and bring a low ego team first mindset.
• You enjoy improving systems, processes, and reporting rather than simply maintaining the status quo.

Why Candidates Are Interested

• Newly created role tied to company growth, not a backfill.
• High visibility position with direct exposure to senior leadership.
• Opportunity to help build financial infrastructure in a growing manufacturing operation.
• Long term runway toward broader finance leadership, potentially including future executive progression.
• Entrepreneurial culture that values work ethic, accountability, and practical thinking.

About Blue Signal: 

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in finance & accounting recruiting. We have a strong reputation for finding top talent in private equity, asset management, financial services, FinTech, and accounting leadership. Learn more at bit.ly/3IKiOzm