Controller

California Dairies•Visalia, CA

About The Position

The Plant Controller III is the senior financial position at a California Dairies, Inc. production facility and is responsible for all accounting activities at the plant. The role oversees accurate and timely recording of production, finished-goods inventories, milk and other fluid dairy product receipts, sales, transfers, and KPI reporting. Additional areas of responsibility include annual budgeting, production forecasting, bills of materials analysis, financial variance analysis, and cost accounting. The Controller leads general ledger management, journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close processes. The role provides leadership in product costing and standard-cost analysis, evaluates bills of materials, supports margin optimization, consolidates financial data, and prepares budgets and forecasts. The Controller also delivers reporting and analysis on plant performance, including yield, labor, maintenance, utilities, volume and mix, and other financial results, and works with operational teams to identify causes of variances and recommend corrective actions. The position guides a small finance and accounting team of two or more employees. Responsibilities include communicating goals, delegating work, coaching and developing team members, recognizing contributions, advocating for the team, and encouraging process improvement and innovation. The role also supports sound internal controls, financial compliance, risk mitigation, and accurate financial reporting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in Accounting or Finance.
Eight or more years of manufacturing accounting experience; dairy industry experience is preferred.
Previous supervisory experience.
Previous experience developing standard costs.
Previous experience in sales pricing.
Knowledge of GAAP and internal controls.
Experience leading and developing a team responsible for accounting activities.
Excellent data analysis and problem-solving skills.
Strong computer skills, specifically in Excel and Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including effective delegation.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate and work with employees at all levels, member/owners, and external stakeholders.
Ability to handle tasks with a high level of confidentiality.
Flexibility and a positive approach in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Good judgment when carrying out assigned duties.
English proficiency is required for written and spoken communication.

Nice To Haves

Dairy industry manufacturing accounting experience.

Responsibilities

Manage the general ledger and maintain the integrity and accuracy of financial data.
Lead the preparation, analysis, and posting of journal entries in accordance with accounting standards and corporate policies.
Lead account reconciliations and month-end and year-end closing processes.
Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs across product lines.
Evaluate bills of materials to validate ingredient and packaging formulas against operational efficiencies and production standards.
Identify and lead continuous-improvement initiatives and improve transparency in cost accounting to support margin optimization.
Accumulate and consolidate financial data needed for accurate accounting of consolidated business results.
Develop and prepare the annual budget and financial forecasts using financial modeling and data analysis.
Provide management reports comparing factors that affect product or service prices and profitability.
Ensure quality control over financial transactions and financial reporting.
Prepare and present weekly and monthly performance reports and provide insights into plant operations.
Report on yield performance, labor, maintenance spending, utilities, volume and mix impacts, and other components of plant financial results.
Conduct variance analysis and root-cause assessments, identify performance drivers, and recommend corrective actions.
Work with cross-functional teams to communicate insights and improve operational efficiency and financial performance.
Guide the evaluation, design, and refinement of internal controls and support compliance with financial standards.
Collaborate with operations management to strengthen governance, mitigate financial risk, and maintain financial reporting integrity.
Promote transparency, accountability, and effective execution of compliance protocols.
Supervise and support a finance and accounting team of two or more employees; communicate goals, delegate effectively, coach and develop team members, and encourage process improvements.
Perform other duties as assigned.