Controller

Kinship Community Food Center•Milwaukee, WI

25d

About The Position

Kinship Community Food Center seeks an entrepreneurial and rigorous Controller to manage its $4 million annual operating budget and oversee human resources, payroll, and board administrative operations. The organization combines traditional nonprofit operations with food-related social enterprises and plans to scale and add enterprises. The Controller reports directly to the Managing Director and serves as a trusted advisor, managing complex New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) compliance and multi-entity and program financial structures while supporting effective board operations and a supportive internal environment through modern HR systems. Kinship Community Food Center engages volunteers and neighborhood residents to address hunger, isolation, and poverty. Its work focuses on food security and wellness, community engagement, and stability and economic opportunity. Its fresh food market, urban farm, food wellness programs, café, and catering expand food access and provide healthful habits, skills, crisis assistance, mentoring, and workforce training. The Controller directs accounting across nonprofit programs and commercial food social enterprises; maintains financial, inventory, and sales systems; oversees fund accounting and allocations; leads budgeting and forecasting; ensures NMTC compliance; manages board administration; and serves as the primary contact for external auditors, NMTC partners, and the CPA. The role also handles payroll processing and HR lifecycle administration, including onboarding, benefits, employee records, and employment law compliance. The position works in a shared, open-office workspace with an active team atmosphere, with flexibility required in work and meeting spaces. The organization offers a competitive annual salary of $85,000–$115,000, commensurate with experience, a benefits package, a flexible work environment, and a team of dedicated staff and volunteers. Kinship Community Food Center is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

At least 3 years of progressive accounting experience.
A proven track record managing mid-sized budgets of $2 million to $10 million and reporting directly to executive leadership.
Familiarity with New Market Tax Credits, commercial lending, or similarly complex financial or investment structures.
Experience in nonprofit fund accounting and exposure to a commercial industry; food service, retail, grocery, or hospitality experience is especially relevant.
Hands-on proficiency with QuickBooks Desktop, BambooHR for payroll and HR, Toast, and board management platforms such as Boardable.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Demonstrated organizational, collaborative, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to interact with diverse groups.
Strong attention to detail and ability to set priorities and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Openness to working in a Christian/Catholic faith-based environment based on social justice principles.
Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and transportation to support work activities.
Receptiveness to the servant leader model and Kinship Community Food Center’s mission.
Highly motivated, self-directed, and positive attitude.

Nice To Haves

CPA or CMA certification, highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct daily accounting operations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and revenue recognition across nonprofit programs and commercial food social enterprises.
Maintain and optimize inventory tracking, cost of goods sold, and sales reporting using QuickBooks and Toast.
Track restricted and unrestricted funding and allocate shared staff, benefits, and administrative overhead across grants and social enterprises.
Lead the annual organizational budgeting process for the $4 million budget and prepare monthly profit-and-loss statements for individual food enterprise units for the CEO, Board, and outside funders.
Monitor, track, and ensure compliance with New Market Tax Credit requirements, including Qualified Low-Income Community Investment funds, loan covenants, and investor reporting.
Manage logistics, communications, scheduling, and digital packet distribution for Board of Directors and committee meetings using Boardable.
Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, NMTC partners, and the CPA for the annual financial audit and IRS Form 990.
Process monthly payroll end to end in BambooHR and match labor hours to grants or enterprise cost centers.
Manage and oversee the HR lifecycle, including onboarding, benefits administration, and employee records using BambooHR workflows.
Maintain the Employee Handbook and ensure compliance with federal, state, and Wisconsin labor laws.