Controller

• Location: Chicago, IL
• Type: Direct Hire
• Job #28473
• Salary: $165,000

Job Title: Corporate Controller (Director / Senior Director)
Job Location: Chicago, IL (downtown Chicago Loop near Union Station)
Compensation: $150,000 – $175,000 base salary with a 25% target bonus
Work Environment: Hybrid (2-3 days in the office per week; remaining days work from home)

Job Summary: The Corporate Controller is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of financial operations within the company.  This includes ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and providing strategic financial guidance to senior leadership. The ideal candidate will have experience in the food and beverage industry, with a strong understanding of the unique financial challenges and operational nuances that affect businesses in this sector.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Reporting:
   • Create and maintain monthly financial closing calendar
   • Oversee the preparation and analysis of the company’s financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, etc.) to ensure accuracy and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and international financial reporting standards (IFRS).
   • Lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
   • Ensure timely and accurate filing of financial reports with internal stakeholders and regulatory agencies.
   • Continually update and strengthen the Company’s accounting processes through collaboration with management colleagues
   • Review all month-end closing activities including general ledger journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations and cost allocations
   • Ensure that monthly bank reconciliations are completed monthly and all reconciling items resolved immediately
2. Budgeting and Forecasting:
   • Lead the annual budgeting process and provide ongoing financial forecasting for the business.
   • Partner with department heads and senior management to ensure financial targets and performance goals are met.
   • Analyze variances between actual results and forecasts, providing insights to improve business performance.
3. Internal Controls and Compliance:
   • Develop and enforce internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure the integrity of financial reporting.
   • Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, tax laws, and financial reporting standards.
   • Work closely with external auditors and assist in the preparation of audit documentation.
4. Cost Management:
   • Analyze and monitor cost of goods sold (COGS) and operational expenses, particularly in relation to food and beverage inventory management.
   • Implement strategies for cost reduction and improve profitability without compromising product quality or customer experience.
5. Tax and Audit
   • Tax Management
     • Manage the domestic & worldwide income tax filings including preparation and review of the US consolidated federal income tax return, multi-state income tax returns, federal, state, providential (Canada) and city estimated payments, credits and extensions, foreign income tax returns, and foreign GST and VAT taxes where appropriate.
     • Manage and review the preparation of all Sales and Use tax returns and drive process improvements associated with sales and use tax preparation. Manage and review the preparation of U.S. property tax returns and Federal/State R&D Tax Credit calculations
     • Manage the preparation of the required Tax Provisions
   • Coordinating with External Auditors
     • Lead, drive and control end-to-end audit engagement and processes
     • Act as the primary liaison between the company and external auditors. Coordinate and schedule meetings, ensure auditors have access to relevant documents, and address any questions or concerns.
     • Audit Planning: Participate in the planning process with auditors, helping to define the scope of the audit and the timeline for completion.
     • Providing Clarifications: Address any questions auditors may have regarding accounting policies, transactions, or internal controls.
6. Financial Analysis:
   • Provide financial analysis and insights to guide strategic decision-making, such as pricing strategies, expansion plans, and capital investments.
   • Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) specific to the food and beverage industry, such as gross margin, labor costs, and food waste.
7. Cash Flow and Treasury Management:
   • Manage cash flow to ensure sufficient liquidity for operational needs and business expansion.
   • Oversee debt management and working capital optimization.
8. Strategic Support:
   • Collaborate with senior management to develop and execute long-term financial strategies and growth initiatives.
   • Advise on investments, acquisitions, and divestitures within the food and beverage industry.
9. Team Leadership:
   • Oversee US and Canadian business entities accounting teams
   • Recruiting and managing key members of the accounting team
   • Lead and develop a team of finance professionals, ensuring effective communication and collaboration across departments.
   • Provide mentorship and training to finance staff to enhance their technical and professional growth.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, CPA preferred
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in accounting/finance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in the food and beverage industry is strongly preferred, with a deep understanding of cost management, inventory control, and industry-specific financial metrics.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting standards, GAAP, IFRS, tax regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency in financial software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks) and advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Strong leadership abilities with experience managing cross-functional teams.

Personal Qualities:

• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation, with a track record for delivering to plan
• Flexibility to adapt quickly to changing circumstances; able to proactively question and challenge to prioritize and identify solutions in a timely manner
• Clear thinker with outstanding numeric ability supported by a rounded commercial awareness
• Able to see the big picture but possesses a pragmatic /flexible approach to delivery
• Curious in nature and always looking to question, learn, and look for better ways to do things
• Thrive and enjoy working in a company with a diverse and fast paced environment, team-oriented

Work Environment:

• This position typically operates in an office setting but may require occasional travel to various company locations or manufacturing facilities.
  • Travel back and forth to existing offices until full migration will be required 1-2 weeks per month to start in hybrid model