Financial Contoller

Worked for 1m 18sDirector of FinanceLocation: Greater Cleveland, Ohio — On-SiteCompensation: $100,000–$120,000 base salary, performance bonus up to 30%, and potential long-term incentive compensationAbout the CompanyWe are a founder-led hemp and consumer products company operating across multiple divisions:Hemp product manufacturingBeverage manufacturingWholesale and distributionRetailThe business has grown from approximately $7,000 in revenue in 2020 to an annualized run rate of approximately $4.2 million today.We are entering our next stage of growth and need a finance leader capable of building the financial structure, reporting, controls, and decision-making systems required to support a larger and more complex organization.The RoleThe Director of Finance will lead the company’s financial operations and work directly with the CEO and operating leadership.This is not a bookkeeping or reporting-only position. The person in this role must understand how manufacturing, inventory, pricing, labor, production efficiency, and working capital affect profitability and cash flow.You will be expected to determine:Where the company makes moneyWhere margins are being lostWhere cash is tied upWhich SKUs, customers, and channels create valueWhat financial and operational changes are required to support growthThe right candidate will be comfortable moving between the production floor, financial statements, executive meetings, and conversations with banks, CPAs, auditors, and advisors.Key ResponsibilitiesOwn monthly financial reporting and management reportingBuild annual budgets and rolling forecastsImplement a reliable 13-week cash-flow forecastDevelop manufacturing cost-accounting systemsEstablish accurate standard costs by SKUImprove inventory valuation, accuracy, controls, and turnsAnalyze profitability by SKU, customer, channel, and divisionIdentify margin leakage and working-capital inefficienciesBuild weekly executive KPI dashboardsSupport pricing and capital-allocation decisionsLead banking, lending, and financing relationshipsImprove ERP and financial-system utilizationCoordinate with CPAs, auditors, tax advisors, and legal counselDevelop the internal finance team and supporting processesInitial PrioritiesDuring the first 90 days, the Director of Finance will be expected to:Learn each operating division and revenue streamUnderstand the manufacturing and inventory flowReview current financial reporting and accounting processesEvaluate inventory costing and valuationBuild a rolling cash-flow forecastAnalyze SKU, customer, and channel profitabilityIdentify immediate opportunities to improve margin and cash flowCreate an executive KPI dashboardPresent a 12-month finance and systems roadmapHow Performance Will Be MeasuredSuccess in this role will be measured by improvements in:Gross marginEBITDAOperating cash flowForecast accuracyInventory accuracyInventory turnsWorking-capital requirementsMonth-end reporting speed and reliabilityProduct-costing accuracyPricing and profitability visibilityFinancial controlsManagement decision-makingRequired Experience8–15 years of progressive finance experienceMeaningful finance experience inside a manufacturing businessStrong manufacturing cost-accounting backgroundExperience with inventory accounting and controlsCash-flow forecasting and working-capital management experienceBudgeting, forecasting, and FP&A experienceERP implementation, optimization, or integration experienceExperience working directly with operations and production teamsExperience helping a privately held or founder-led company scalePreferred industry backgrounds include:Food manufacturingBeverage manufacturingConsumer packaged goodsNutraceuticalsSupplementsContract manufacturingSpecialty manufacturingDistributionOther regulated manufacturing industriesCPA or CMA credentials are a plus but are not required.The Person We Are Looking ForThe strongest candidate will:Take ownership without waiting for detailed instructionsUse facts to challenge assumptionsUnderstand the relationship between operations, margin, and cash flowBe comfortable identifying and confronting poor performanceCommunicate clearly with ownership, operations, lenders, and advisorsBuild practical systems without creating unnecessary bureaucracySpend time in production and learn how the business actually operatesMake decisions with incomplete information when necessaryTell leadership what it needs to hearFocus on measurable business resultsThis Role Is Not a Fit For Someone WhoWants a narrow accounting or compliance positionPrefers maintaining established systems rather than building themAvoids operational involvementRequires extensive directionCreates processes without measurable business valueIs uncomfortable challenging leadershipIs primarily motivated by titleExpects a predetermined promotion pathThere is no guaranteed path to a specific executive title. Increased authority, compensation, and advancement will be based on performance, leadership, company growth, and demonstrated value.The OpportunityThis role offers direct access to ownership and meaningful influence over major financial, operational, and strategic decisions.The company has reached the point where its financial infrastructure must catch up with its growth. We need someone who can build the reporting, controls, analytics, and financial discipline required for the next stage of the business.We are not hiring someone to simply report the numbers. We are hiring someone to improve them.What You'll LeadYou'll own and continuously improve the company's financial infrastructure, including:Financial StrategyCorporate FinanceFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Manufacturing Cost AccountingStandard CostingInventory Accounting & ControlsCash Management & TreasuryBanking & Lending RelationshipsBudgeting & ForecastingRolling Cash Flow ForecastsExecutive KPI DashboardsERP OptimizationPricing & Margin AnalyticsSKU ProfitabilityCustomer & Channel ProfitabilityCapital PlanningInternal ControlsRisk ManagementBoard & Executive ReportingCapital Raise SupportM&A Financial AnalysisFinance Team DevelopmentWhat Success Looks LikeWithin your first 24 months, you will have:Built a finance organization capable of supporting a $100M manufacturing business.Implemented standard costing across manufacturing operations.Created executive dashboards that provide real-time business insights.Established accurate rolling forecasts and cash flow planning.Improved gross margins through operational and financial analysis.Increased inventory turns and reduced working capital requirements.Developed meaningful SKU, customer, and channel profitability reporting.Strengthened banking relationships and financing capabilities.Built scalable financial systems that support continued expansion.Who You AreWe're looking for a finance executive who understands manufacturing from the production floor to the executive boardroom.You have helped growing companies scale and understand the financial challenges that come with rapid expansion.You can confidently move between discussions with production managers, commercial leaders, external lenders, auditors, and ownership.You're comfortable making decisions with imperfect information, building systems where none exist, and driving accountability through data.Experience We're Looking For8–15+ years of progressive finance leadership experienceManufacturing finance experience is requiredStrong standard cost accounting backgroundInventory management and inventory accounting expertiseFinancial planning and forecasting experienceCash flow management and treasury experienceERP implementation or optimization experienceExecutive reporting and KPI developmentExperience supporting operations—not just accountingExperience helping companies scale through periods of rapid growthPreferred industry experience includes:Food ManufacturingBeverage ManufacturingConsumer Packaged Goods (CPG)NutraceuticalsSupplementsSpecialty ManufacturingContract ManufacturingOther regulated manufacturing environmentsCPA and/or CMA credentials are welcomed but not required.Leadership ProfileThe ideal candidate is:Highly accountableCompetitive and results-drivenOperationally mindedFinancially disciplinedCurious and analyticalHands-onComfortable challenging assumptions with factsDirect, honest, and collaborativeCalm under pressureComfortable influencing cross-functional teams without relying on hierarchyYou naturally ask questions like:Why is this process done this way?Where is margin being lost?Why is inventory sitting?How can working capital be improved?Which customers and SKUs create the greatest value?What decisions will improve long-term profitability?This Role Is Probably Not For You If...You prefer highly structured corporate environments.You're looking to maintain existing systems rather than build new ones.Your primary focus is compliance and historical reporting.You avoid spending time with operations.You require constant direction.You're uncomfortable making decisions with incomplete information.You believe finance exists only to report results rather than improve them.Your Relationship with the CEOYou'll serve as the CEO's strategic financial partner.Healthy debate is encouraged.We expect you to challenge assumptions, provide objective analysis, identify risks, and help guide major strategic decisions through data—not opinions.This is a leadership seat at the executive table.